The Thymus

Part Three addresses communicable diseases in four color-coded sections based on mode of transmission (airborne; fecal-oral; direct and indirect contact; and blood and sexual contact) and contains a discussion of 26 common communicable diseases that consider the prevalence, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of each disease. The discussion of each disease is four to six pages in length, with a short list of references at the end. Part Four contains immunization schedules for children and adults and deals with some of the diseases that are now rare because of widespread immunization. Part Five includes practical guidelines for proper handling and preparation of food in shelters and soup kitchens. The final section is a compilation of fact sheets to be photocopied and given to shelter occupants. These pages contain definitions, modes of transmission, symptomatology, treatments, and measures for prevention ofcommon communicable diseases in lay terms. This manual is clearly written, concise, easy to read, and attractively presented. Its color-coded format and well-presented table of contents make finding information about a particular disease quite simple, facilitating its use as a "quick and easy" reference at any shelter, soup kitchen, or clinic serving the homeless. The authors admit to occasional oversimplification, particularly with respect to modes of transmission, for the sake of simplicity of organization; however, this approach did not detract from the overall accuracy and usefulness of the text. A moderate number of photographs of dermatologic manifestations of particular diseases and clearly presented tables and charts superbly enhance the text. The fact sheets in the last section are an invaluable resource to health providers in their mission of patient education. Finally, the practical guidelines for disease prevention in the shelter may serve well those people involved in managing such facilities. Apart from the fact sheets, the text best serves, but is not restricted to, an audience of health care providers. The concise nature of its presentations makes this manual more a quick yet comprehensive reference guide to be used "at the bedside" than an exhaustive text on communicable disease, which was the apparent intention of the authors, and they achieved it in this highly accessible manual. The Manual of Common Communicable Diseases in Shelters is recommended as a superbly crafted, practical, comprehensive, yet basic guide to be referred to frequently in serving the health care needs of the homeless in a variety of settings.