Do I Need to See the Doctor?: The Home Treatment Encyclopedia Written by Medical Doctors.

This handy resource describes ways of treating such common health issues as diaper rash, acne, fever, superficial burns, asthma, psychotic illness, and stroke.

The content, organized in eight chapters, covers newborn, baby, toddler, children, teen, and adult health care, as well as emotional and mental health care, and special topics (such as health care for new moms). Most of the chapters feature colour-coded pages for easy retrieval of information (e.g., earache is green for adults and children).

Sections within the chapters are laid out well. The language is simple and the paragraphs are short. Each section begins with a short summary or introduction to the topic, and, where relevant, a list of possible symptoms. Next is a chart that helps the reader evaluate the seriousness of the condition and directs them to seek either immediate medical help or general medical help, or to proceed to the home remedies section. The information provided in the general topic section is presented in longer paragraphs and each topic does not have its own page, making it more difficult to find information.

At the beginning of the book there is a section on fever that includes a graphic for reading a thermometer, an explanation of what fever is, and instructions on taking a temperature; this is an excellent resource. The authors use the generic names for drugs, with the brand names in brackets — e.g., acetometaphin (Tylenol) — which is helpful.

Overall, this is a useful resource, with one exception: where it recommends home remedies for treating coughs, colds, and the flu in children it includes using oral decongestants and cough medicines. Health Canada issued an advisory in 2008 announcing that children under the age of six should not use decongestants and cough medicines that contain certain ingredients. Readers need to be aware of this change.