The Handbook of Hospital Medicine was originally conceived by Dr Mitchell as a guide for junior medical staff working in his own unit. Its aim was to provide a practical pocket-sized guide on diagnosis, investigation, and general management of some of the more common medical problems. The success of the original book in Dr Mitchell's unit lead to its introduction in other units and hospitals and through the help of Johnson and Johnson to junior hospital doctors throughout South Africa. We (PNP and CW) have taken Dr Mitchell's original book and have attempted to modify it to the needs of...