The Clinical Medicine Guide -
A Holistic Perspective

Chinese medicine reviews:

"...it is destined to become one of those classic reference texts that many people in the alternative health field, student and practitioners alike, will use time and time again... There is no doubt this deserves a place on every well-informed alternative practitioner's bookshelf. It contains heaps of worthwhile information on western disease states and conventional medical treatment, as well as very good orientation and comments on alternative management. The information provided is appropriate, comprehensive and accessible. ...Perhaps the greatest attribute is the balance which is struck between comprehensive detail on the one hand, and clarity, clinical relevance and overall breadth of perspective on the other."
- Journal of Oriental Medicine.

"This is probably the best book available for complementary practitioners untrained in Western medicine. With a background in both western and Chinese medicine (CM), and a clear and transparent writing style, Steve Gascoigne gives clinically helpful analyses of a wide range of diseases, with emphasis on those encountered in clinical practice. All the main systems and disease categories are covered. Each disease is clearly explained and defined with its main symptoms and signs, potential complications, commonly used investigations, and conventional and alternative treatment and management. Unlike many medical textbooks, this one does not assume familiarity with numerous medical terms, yet never underestimates the reader’s intelligence. There is information on how to deal with cases complicated by prescribed drugs and how to asses the severity of a case."
- Journal of Chinese Medicine

“Dr. Gascoigne's The Clinical Medicine Guide is an important and pioneering work of great significance - the first comprehensive textbook of conventional medicine designed to meet the specific practical needs of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners. It provides information about conventional medicine’s theory and practice at a level CAM practitioners require to achieve competence as medical professionals in their own disciplines. Alongside this, it provides an informed and fascinating critique of conventional medicine, adding to this a holistic medical alternative viewpoint drawn from Dr. Gascoigne's rich experience as a traditional Chinese medical acupuncturist and herbalist. This is a book that does not simply enable CAM practitioners to make best choices that reflect the insights into disease, health and healing provided by natural medicine. It empowers them to do so, providing a template for the future development of professional complementary medicine."
- Wainwright Churchill, Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncturist and herbalist, information officer of the European Herbal Practitioner's Association, past officer of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine

"I feel that one of the greatest strengths of the book which should, without doubt, be on the desk of every holistic practitioner, is the accessible way in which it describes disease and its treatment from the conventional point of view. It is clear and comprehensive, yet avoids unnecessary detail which may be confusing and superfluous to practitioners without a Western medical training. The book will encourage its readers to gain a Holistic understanding of Western disease terms and to bridge the gap between the two."
- Giovanni Maciocia  C.Ac.(Nanjing), Acupuncturist and Medical Herbalist;  Visiting Professor Nanjing University, China; Author

"This is a revised version of The Manual of Conventional Medicine for Alternative Practitioners. If it is not on your bookshelf, go and get it now. It is one of the best books on general medicine that I have come across. There are many points about the book which commend it. First and foremost, it is easily accessible and understandable, and covers nearly every condition that you are likely to meet in clinic. So when a patient comes to you with a problem that you are not quite sure about, there it is in the book. The symptoms and signs are there, with the dangers, and the normal treatment that is given, and whether this treatment is likely to work. This is particularly valuable, for you can get a clear idea as whether it is safe or desirable for the patient to come off their medication, and if so, what problems you should look out for. The book includes valuable discussions on controversial subjects such as vaccination and cancer.

Another good feature of the book is that he has bravely tried to analyse the illnesses in terms of Chinese medicine.  This is very helpful if you are meeting a disease for the first time, as it gives a place to start.

This is an authoritative book written by a practitioner who has experience of nearly all the diseases described, both as a conventional practitioner and as an alternative one.  This combined experience allows him to make a comparison between the conventional treatments and natural therapies.

The main changes from the previous edition are in the layout, which has been improved to make it easier to read and access the information you require. The other changes are to keep it up to date with the developments in medical definitions and practice that have taken place during the last 10 years."
- Julian Scott, Acupuncturist, Herbalist and respected Author