Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (HPIM) provides a comprehensive
body of information important to an understanding of the biological and
clinical aspects of quality patient care. It remains the premier medical
textbook for students and clinicians. With the rapidly expanding base of
medical knowledge and the time constraints associated with heavy patientcare
responsibilities in modern health care settings, it is not always possible to
read a comprehensive account of diseases and their presentations, clinical
manifestations, and treatments before or even immediately after encountering
the patient. It was for these reasons, among others, that in 1988 the
Editors first condensed the clinical portions of HPIM into a pocket-sized
volume, Harrison’s Manual of Medicine. Similar to the prior 6 editions, this
new edition of the Manual, drawn from the 17th edition of HPIM, presents
the key features of the diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the
major diseases that are likely to be encountered on a medical service.