BOOK AND MEDIA REVIEWS
Greenberg’s Text-Atlas of Emergency Medicine
Review by Punam Sachdev, MD, MPH
Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Disease and Counterbioterrorism
Heath A. Jolliff, DO
0196-0644/$-see front matter
Copyright ª 2005 by the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Greenberg’s Text-Atlas of Emergency Medicine
Greenberg MI, ed
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004
1074 pages, $199
ISBN 0-781-74586-1
At the end of my shift in the emergency department (ED), I
walk away with a barrage of images: patients, family members,
and my coworkers. Eventually, they all fade into a collective
mosaic of faces that gradually replaces itself over time. Every few
shifts, however, I have an ‘‘interesting case,’’ a young trauma
patient with a lower-extremity degloving injury, a seizure
patient with numerous facial fractures, or a cancer patient with
massive ascites. Cases such as these withstand the test of time
and accumulate into a massive library that each one of us carries
in our minds. Similarly, Greenberg’s Text-Atlas of Emergency
Medicine provides one with a tangible library of these
unforgettable images that can quickly be referred to in one’s
study of emergency medicine.
‘‘Words and pictures can work together to communicate more
powerfully than either alone,’’ said William Albert Allard,1 which
describes this text-atlas beautifully. Hundreds of clinical cases are
laid out in a visually pleasing format. The book opens with a short
section on airway, breathing, and circulation that transitions into
out-of-hospital care, medical and surgical emergencies,
toxicologic and environmental emergencies, and finally, special
cases such as HIV, abuse, alternative medicine, and procedure
complications. The medical and surgical emergencies section
encompasses more than 20 chapters, including dental
emergencies, hematologic and oncologic emergencies, and
rheumatologic emergencies, subjects that I am familiar with but
cases that I treat infrequently in the ED. Their inclusion further
enhances this text’s importance as an invaluable teaching tool.
Within each chapter, topics are covered concisely in 1 page.
A description of the clinical presentation is given, followed by a
discussion of pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical complications,
and management. One or 2 reference articles are also provided.
In addition, procedural technique is often described and shown.
Although this certainly does not replace a text on procedures, it
does demonstrate the broad span of this book. Finally, relevant
pictures, diagrams, ECGs, radiographs, charts, and slides
contribute to the uniqueness of this text-atlas. These are the true
pearls of this book and allow one to quickly gain useful
information during a shift or during a 10-minute review after a
busy day.
Volume 46, no. 1 : July 2005
Often, after reading a text I have immediate suggestions for
improvement. However, in this case I can think of none. An
incredible array of topics is included; a diverse assortment of
pathology is shown. I strongly recommend it to anyone who
works in an ED because it is such a useful learning tool and an
important supplement to our own personal images from each
shift.
Punam Sachdev, MD, MPH
Emory University Department of Emergency Medicine
Atlanta, GA
doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2005.01.037
1. Allard WA. Photographic Essay: American Photographer Master
Series. Bullfinch Press; 1989.
Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Disease
and Counterbioterrorism
Linder LE, Lebeda FJ, Korch GW, eds
Humana Press, NJ, 2005
597 pages, $145.00
ISBN 1-58829-184-7
Before the events of September 11, 2001, few people in the
United States had more than a curious interest in the subject
matter of biological weapons or biodefense. Now there are
multiple texts, computer programs, and experts on this topic.
For the busy emergency physician, these numerous resources
can be overwhelming, and finding a comprehensive but easy-to-
access and easy-to-understand source of information can be
quite daunting.
Biological Weapons Defense: Infectious Disease and
Counterbioterrorism is one of the many texts available to assist
physicians and scientists in this new threat. The text is written
by prominent researchers and clinicians who are experts in the
field of bioweapons and their countermeasures. Many of the
authors are employed at the United States Army Research
Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and dealt
with this subject matter daily before the events of
September 11.
The text is divided into 4 main sections. The first,
‘‘Preparation and Military Support for a Possible Bioterrorism
Incident,’’ covers the basics of a bioterror event. Government
resources and challenges to such an incident are discussed in
Annals of Emergency Medicine 101
Book and Media Reviews

detail, along with proposed models of such an event and its
effects on the victims and local resources. The second section,
‘‘Medical Countermeasures and Decontamination,’’ covers in
great detail the pathogenesis of the bacteria and viruses that
would most likely be used in a terrorist attack. The discussion
covers how these organisms can be weaponized and distributed
to cause their desired effects. Countermeasures, treatments,
decontamination procedures, and vaccines for these agents are
also covered. The third section, ‘‘Emerging Threats and Future
Preparation,’’ covers theories about what agents may be used in
the coming years to further the terrorist arsenal of bioweapons.
Clinical emerging diseases are also reviewed because many of
these have potential as bioweapons. These chapters focus heavily
on molecular genetics and disease modeling. Though
fascinating in its coverage, this section will be a little
overwhelming for most physicians for their basic needs. The
last section, ‘‘Diagnostic Development for Biowarfare Agents,’’
discusses the challenges in rapidly identifying the biologic
agent used in an attack so that clinicians can ensure the best
care and treatment for their patients with potential
exposures.
Overall, this text is very well written by some of the best
experts in the field of bioweapons and their defense. For
clinicians and researchers with a special interest in this field or
those involved with disaster planning, this book may be worth
reviewing. However, for most physicians, the level of detail in
this text will be more than they need. There are many other
resources on the market that cover the basics of bioweapons in a
quick, concise format that will allow easier access for the busy
emergency physician.
Heath A. Jolliff, DO
Department of Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology
OhioHealth-Doctors Hospital
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Columbus, OH
doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2005.02.025

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CURRENT AND

FORMER ABEM DIPLOMATES

 The Emergency Medicine Continuous Certification (EMCC) program started January 1, 2004.
 All diplomates who want to maintain their certification with ABEM beyond their current certification expiration date must
participate fully in the EMCC program.
 Effective 2004, the licensure requirement for all diplomates changed. Diplomates must now continuously maintain a
current, active, valid, unrestricted, and unqualified license in at least one jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or
Canada, and in each jurisdiction in which they practice. Inactive medical licenses voluntarily held by physicians are in
compliance with the Policy on Medical Licensure.
 Physicians who were eligible for ABEM recertification maintain eligibility under EMCC. The written recertification
examination was offered for the last time on November 2, 2003.
 Former diplomates could have begun participating in a special EMCC option that is available only from 2004-2006.
This option permitted former diplomates an opportunity to regain their diplomate status through participation in EMCC.
Former diplomates had to begin their participation in EMCC in 2004 to take advantage of this option.
A full description of EMCC including details of diplomates’ participation requirements is available on the ABEM website
http://www.abem.org. Direct questions to
AMERICAN BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
3000 Coolidge Road
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 517.332.4800
Email: emcc@abem.org

102 Annals of Emergency Medicine Volume 46, no. 1 : July 2005