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Mushrooms: Poisons and Panaceas: H
A Handbook for Naturalists, Mycologists, and Physicians by Denis R. Benjamin Denis Benjamin's definitive new work covers all aspects of mushroom consumption, with a fresh approach and anecdotal style that make the mushroom story a compelling one. Using the most current information available, Benjamin blends a love and knowledge of natural history with reliable medical expertise, offering both mushroom hunters and medical personnel a unique perspective on this evocative group of organisms. Mushrooms: Poisons and Panaceas explores the wonder and sense of mystery that have surrounded these fungi down through the centuries, presenting the history of mushroom consumption and differing cultural attitudes toward mushrooms in fascinating detail. In addition, Dr. Benjamin's book clearly and thoroughly discusses the signs, symptoms, and treatment for mushroom poisoning and suggests the right questions to ask in order to arrive at a diagnosis. It also contains a full-color photographic insert to aid in rapid mushroom identification during a medical emergency, and it evaluates the health and nutritional aspects of different species of mushrooms. Emergency room physicians and toxicologists, chefs and dieticians, amateur and professional naturalists, and anyone who is intrigued by food will find this book an invaluable source of information. A reader: 'Dr. Benjamin makes no pretense of being an expert at mushroom identification, but rather focuses on the history, culinary use, medicinal properties and toxicology of mushrooms. The central part of the book deals with the symptoms and treatment of mushroom poisoning. Dr. Benjamin takes what is, suprisingly, considered by many to be a contrarian position, that physicians should be best advised to treat mushroom poisoning on the basis of symptoms alone, and not wait for an identification of the mushroom responsible. Previous books on this subject have focused (perhaps unnecessarily), on identification first, having been written primarily from the viewpoint of mycologists. It's refreshing, to say the least to have a book more directed to the physician. That's not to say that there isn't plenty here for the mycologist, or the amateur. It's really as much as anyone needs to know, complete with copious references.' Paperback - 422 pages
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