Concise veterinary dictionary /

Two comprehensive veterinary dictionaries appeared in 1988, updating important developments in this medical area. West has edited most editions of the well-established Black's Veterinary Dictionary (13th ed., CH, Jan '81), which is directed to the increasingly health conscious animal owner. Three veterinary academicians and six special consultants have produced in the new Concise Veterinary Dictionary, a work slanted to the needs of the biomedical professional. Both dictionaries contain definitions that range from brief sentences to encyclopedic articles; neither includes pronunciations or word derivations. Both are specific to the UK, using British spelling, noting some topics not common or pertinent in the US (especially UK animal welfare legislation), and giving only brief notice to some subjects of specific interest in the US (e.g., Potomac horse fever, Lyme disease). Concise defines medical terms more precisely ("ischaemic necrosis" instead of "permanent nerve damage") and uses an asterisk to alert the reader to words that are more completely defined elsewhere. Black's often includes related topics with the main article, and uses the traditional forms of cross-referencing. Occasionally, the two titles give opposite or conflicting descriptions. Black's frequent use of complete source citations is helpful. The format of Black's is more desirable: better page layout; more variety in typeface; tables, graphs, maps, and photographs as well as excellent line drawings (both titles have clear drawings). Black's also has better paper and a binding that will hold up. For any academic or public library, Black's is recommended; for agricultural, health sciences, and veterinary medical libraries at either advanced undergraduate or graduate level, both are useful. N. J. Bruce The Ohio State University