An Essential Medical Miscellany [Paperback]

An Essential Medical Miscellany has rather more meat to it. Random dips often come up with quite useful bits of information--the four types of "heartsink patients" from Groves, or a reminder of the cancers that spread to bone. Often the trivia is also rather interesting--for example, I didn't know that the word "testimony" is related to "testicles" from Roman times when only men could give evidence ... I'll keep [it] in the loo to entertain guests when they're "doing a you know what." That'll give them a giggle. (BMJ )

Amid genuinely useful information such as a test for colour blindness and a list of possible causes for heart murmurs, there is a mass of dotty detail ... A healthy dose of humour keeps the hypochondria at bay. Five stars (Sunday Express )

Something has happened in the publishing world recently. Alongside the throw-away thrillers, the paperback romances and the obligatory ghost written autobiographies of celebrities too young to have achieved much is a new bestseller- the book of facts ... It contains easy to digest information that satisfies our unending thirst for knowledge and may also give us something of a leg up at the weekly pub quiz. The latest entry, which combines our obsession with lists and our fascination about all things medical and the human body, delves into the vast array of fact and fiction. (Western Mail )

A wide-ranging book that delves into the vast array of fact and fiction in medical science. The result is an often interesting and often-amusing compilation of medical information. For those familiar with the very successful Schott's Miscellany, this is a medical version and the first to be published. An Essential Medical Miscellany contains everything from the Hepatitis Alphabet to why and when the first vibrator was invented. (Medical News Today )

5 Stars: A fine mix of trivia, facts, and the humour of medicine
This is ideal reading for those moments when you need some light relief ... A fine mix of trivia, facts, and the humour of medicine. It's written in a candid and free flowing style that is suited for a quick read before bed, a highly engaging read while seated on the throne, to prove a friend wrong about the whys and wherefores of Viagra, and no doubt will be incorporated in the next edition of Trivial Pursuit. Read it with ghoulish pleasure, read it and learn, read it and laugh, read it and wince, but read it. (Amazon customer review, Jul 05 )

Fascinating ... This occasional collection will be of interest and amuse. (Doctors Net )

... This miscellany is what used to be called a commonplace book - an engaging collection of random facts and factoids. Harmless fun. (Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine )

5 Stars: You can't go wrong with a Christmas Gift like this
One of my highlights at Christmas time is receiving the alternative non fiction book (schott's original miscellany, eats shoots and leaves, survival handbook). Now comes the latest in a long line of these books and I am pleased to say that this one continues in the same vein... this book is a kitchen, toilet, lounge, bedroom, garden and car book. Its one of those books which you can open up a random page and find out yet another relevant / irrelevant, interesting / banal, fact about the noble art. If you don't buy it for yourself, then buy it for someone else and then read their copy ... At least you'll be able to raise your doctor's eyebrows next time you visit. (Amazon customer review, Aug 05 )

5 Stars: Absolutely brilliant
I picked up this book whilst on a conference in London and have to say that it is simply pure genius. I wish I'd thought of it ... It's the perfect book to grab snippets from and it really makes you think about medical things differently. I particularly liked the preface and the sheer variety of content - oh and it looks and feels nice too. Mine's on the downstairs loo bookshelf! It's a solid mix of crazy facts, humour, some amazing history and a bit of reportage and is pretty much unputdownable. In fact I spend more time in my loo because of this book! Insane! Verdict - EVERYONE SHOULD GET ONE! (Amazon customer review, Aug 05 )

5 Stars: A fine mix of trivia, facts, and the humour of medicine
Dr Panja clearly knows his subject inside-out. This is a book for dipping into as well as to unearth little-known but useful medical facts. I was privileged to help Dr Panja a little with some information he needed on the subject of NLP, but I had no idea this would be such a scholarly, yet entertaining book on so many different aspects of medicine. I am hoping this is the first of many more enlivening books on the subject Informative, engaging and entertaining. (Amazon customer review, Jul 05 )

This is a little book full of medical facts, snippets and trivia ... the facts are amusing and quirky - check out the origins of cornflakes or the jacuzzi. (Nursing Standard )

A book you'll find hard to put down. An Essential Medical Miscellany is crammed with endlessly-interesting, often humorous and sometimes useless information. (The Western Nurse )

A readable compilation of odd facts, informative lists, celebrity tit-bits and fascinating historical references ... You just never know what will turn up on the next page, and once you start browsing the book it can be quite difficult to put it down ... Ayan Panja ... must be congratulated on finding the time and energy to research, collect and compile the myriad of facts, figures and anecdotes required for this formative but above all entertaining book ... It's a gem of a book, and I recommend it as fun for all, hypochondriac or not. (Dental Practice )

An ideal gift for someone who works in a health-related profession (Health Matters )

This miscellany is what used to be called a commonplace book-an engaging collection of random facts and factoids. Harmless fun.