The Merck Manuals

Last updated
The Merck (MSD) Manuals
Author Merck & Co.
Language English, Spanish, French
GenreHealth information
Published1899
Website www.merckmanuals.com (U.S. and Canada)
www.msdmanuals.com (worldwide)

The Merck Manuals (outside the U.S. and Canada The MSD Manuals) are medical references published by the American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada), that cover a wide range of medical topics, including disorders, tests, diagnoses, and drugs. The manuals have been published since 1899, when Merck & Co. was still a subsidiary of the German company Merck.

Contents

These manuals were originally developed in book form, but have been updated and converted to digital formats, including websites and mobile apps. Digital versions also include audio, 3D models, and animations. [1]

The first Merck Manual, Merck's Manual of the Materia Medica (1899), was a small reference book that became widely used by the 1980s. It had also become the world's best-selling medical text. Since then, several manuals have been produced, and are regularly updated. The titles include: [2]

The Manuals for human health were converted to a web-based format in 2015 and are hosted on MerckManuals.com in the US and Canada, and MSDManuals.com throughout the rest of the world. These sites include two versions tailored for consumers and for health care professionals respectively. The Manuals are available online in 12 languages. [3] [4] The Manuals for animal health were converted to a web-based format in 2002 and are hosted on MerckVetManual.com (outside the U.S. and Canada MSDVetManual.com). [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), also known as idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI), is an unrecognized and controversial diagnosis characterized by chronic symptoms attributed to exposure to low levels of commonly used chemicals. Symptoms are typically vague and non-specific. They may include fatigue, headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fancy rat</span> Domesticated brown rat subspecies

The fancy rat is the domesticated form of Rattus norvegicus, the brown rat, and the most common species of rat kept as a pet. The name fancy rat derives from the use of the adjective fancy for a hobby, also seen in "animal fancy", a hobby involving the appreciation, promotion, or breeding of pet or domestic animals. The offspring of wild-caught specimens, having become docile after having been bred for many generations, fall under the fancy type.

<i>Merck Index</i> Index of chemicals

The Merck Index is an encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs and biologicals with over 10,000 monographs on single substances or groups of related compounds published online by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Schering-Plough Corporation was an American pharmaceutical company. It was originally the U.S. subsidiary of the German company Schering AG, which was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering. As a result of nationalization, it became an independent company. In 1971, the Schering Corporation merged with Plough, Inc. to form Schering-Plough. On November 4, 2009 Merck & Co. merged with Schering-Plough with the new company taking the name of Merck & Co.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulmonology</span> Study of respiratory diseases

Pulmonology, pneumology or pneumonology is a medical specialty that deals with diseases involving the respiratory tract. It is also known as respirology, respiratory medicine, or chest medicine in some countries and areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virulent Newcastle disease</span> Contagious viral avian disease

Virulent Newcastle disease (VND), formerly exotic Newcastle disease, is a contagious viral avian disease affecting many domestic and wild bird species; it is transmissible to humans. Though it can infect humans, most cases are non-symptomatic; rarely it can cause a mild fever and influenza-like symptoms and/or conjunctivitis in humans. Its effects are most notable in domestic poultry due to their high susceptibility and the potential for severe impacts of an epizootic on the poultry industries. It is endemic to many countries. No treatment for VND is known, but the use of prophylactic vaccines and sanitary measures reduces the likelihood of outbreaks.

<i>Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy</i> Medical textbook

The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, referred to as The Merck Manual, is the world's best-selling medical textbook, and the oldest continuously published English language medical textbook. First published in 1899, the current print edition of the book, the 20th Edition, was published in 2018. In 2014, Merck decided to move The Merck Manual to digital-only, online publication, available in both professional and consumer versions; this decision was reversed in 2017, with the publication of the 20th edition the following year. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy is one of several medical textbooks, collectively known as The Merck Manuals, which are published by Merck Publishing, a subsidiary of the pharmaceutical company Merck Co., Inc. in the United States and Canada, and MSD in other countries in the world. Merck also formerly published The Merck Index, An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals.

Merck refers primarily to the German Merck family and three companies founded by the family, including:

A death rattle is noisy breathing that often occurs in someone who is near death. It is caused by an accumulation of fluids such as saliva and bronchial secretions in the throat and upper airways. Those who are dying may lose their ability to swallow and may have increased production of bronchial secretions, resulting in such an accumulation. Usually, two or three days earlier, symptoms of approaching death can be observed, such as saliva accumulating in the throat, difficulty taking even a spoonful of water, shortness of breath, and rapid chest movement. While death rattle is a strong indication that someone is near death, it can also be produced by other problems that cause interference with the swallowing reflex, such as brain injuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical library</span> Library focused on medical information

A health or medical library is designed to assist physicians, health professionals, students, patients, consumers, medical researchers, and information specialists in finding health and scientific information to improve, update, assess, or evaluate health care. Medical libraries are typically found in hospitals, medical schools, private industry, and in medical or health associations. A typical health or medical library has access to MEDLINE, a range of electronic resources, print and digital journal collections, and print reference books. The influence of open access (OA) and free searching via Google and PubMed has a major impact on the way medical libraries operate.

The Merck Veterinary Manual is a reference manual of animal health care. It was first published by Merck & Co., Inc. in 1955. It contains concise, thorough information on the diagnosis and treatment of disease in a wide variety of species. The Manual is available as a book, published on a non-profit basis. Additionally, the full text can be accessed for free via the website, or downloaded in its entirety via an app. In January 2020, the website was redesigned with a more helpful search function without advertising. Interactive features on the website include quizzes, case studies, and clinical calculators. In addition, there are animal health news summaries and commentaries.

<i>Your Health Now</i> American health magazine

Your Health Now was a free, bi-monthly health magazine provided by Merck & Co., Inc. The magazine was launched in September 2005 and was available by mail, online, and in doctors’ offices. The magazine was headquartered in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

Hypersalivation or hypersialosis is the excessive production of saliva. It has also been defined as increased amount of saliva in the mouth, which may also be caused by decreased clearance of saliva.

A veterinary pharmacist is a specially trained pharmacist who dispenses veterinary drugs and supplies or products and advice to owners of companion animals and livestock. In addition, they advise the regulatory bodies and are involved in the formulation of veterinary drugs. Veterinary pharmacy is a field of pharmacy practice, in which veterinary pharmacists may compound medications, fill prescriptions, and manage drug therapies for animals. Veterinary pharmacists are licensed pharmacists who specialize in the distribution of medications for animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Animal Hospital Association</span> Nonprofit organization devoted to Animal health

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is a non-profit organization for companion animal veterinary hospitals. Established in 1933, the association is the only accrediting body for small animal hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. The association develops standards for veterinary business practices, publications, and educational programs. Any veterinary hospital can join AAHA as a member, but must then pass an evaluation in order to receive AAHA accreditation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Databank</span>

First Databank (FDB) is a major provider of drug and medical device databases that help inform healthcare professionals to make decisions. FDB partners with information system developers to deliver useful medication- and medical device-related information to clinicians, business associates, and patients. FDB is part of Hearst and the Hearst Health network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical encyclopedia</span> Written compendium about diseases

A medical encyclopaedia is a comprehensive written compendium that holds information about diseases, medical conditions, tests, symptoms, injuries, and surgeries. It may contain an extensive gallery of medicine-related photographs and illustrations. A medical encyclopaedia provides information to readers about health questions. It may also contain some information about the history of diseases, the development of medical technology uses to detect diseases in its early phase. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Mark Howard Beers was an American geriatrician whose research on drug interactions among the elderly led to the creation of the eponymous Beers criteria, which lists prescription medications that may have deleterious side effects in older patients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merck & Co.</span> American multinational pharmaceutical company

Merck & Co., Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, and is named for Merck Group, founded in Germany in 1668, of whom it was once the American arm. The company does business as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the United States and Canada. It is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, generally ranking in the global top five by revenue.

Blausen Medical Communications, Inc. is the creator and owner of a library of two- and three-dimensional medical and scientific images and animations, a developer of information technology allowing access to that content, and a business focused on licensing and distributing the content. It was founded by Bruce Blausen in Houston, Texas, in 1991, and is privately held.

References

  1. White SM (2009). "Merck Manuals Information Online < http://www.merck.com/mmhe >". J Consum Health Internet. 13 (1): 66–76. doi:10.1080/15398280802674883.
  2. 1 2 "Committed to providing medical information: Merck and The Merck Manuals". Merck. 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  3. "Merck Manuals health guides go digital, and free, in global push". Reuters. 2015. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  4. "Global Medical Knowledge - MSD Manuals".
  5. "Merck Veterinary Manual goes online". dvm360 Magazine. 2002. Retrieved 2017-03-24.