Hypochondriacs, read on

Or you can try Robert Youngson’s views. He has produced The Royal Society of Medicine Encyclopedia of Family Health (Bloomsbury, £25, ISBN 0 7475 2011 9) with five sections dealing with genetics, the body, first aid, diagnosis and drugs before the A to Z manual proper. This volume, too, is excellently illustrated. The author is forthright when he thinks necessary, for example on homeopathy. Clear, comprehensive and strong on practical advice.