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Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook
Considered by the World Health Organization to be the most widely-used health care manual in the world, Where There Is No Doctor provides easy-to-understand information on how to identify, treat, and prevent many common health issues. Inside you'll find information
Heavily illustrated and written in plain language, this handbook emphasizes addressing the underlying causes of poor health and focuses on cleanliness, healthy diet, vaccinations, and appropriate, cautious use of medicines. Useful for health workers, educators, and others involved in primary care and health promotion, Where There Is No Doctor has been translated into over 75 languages around the world. This practical and trusted guide helps readers protect and care for their own health and that of their families and communities. The latest reprint (May 2023, 19th printing) includes updated information on how and when to use medicines, alcohol and drug misuse, treating sexually transmitted infections, identifying and treating serious illnesses like tuberculosis and leprosy, and pregnancy and birth. About Hesperian Health Hesperian partners with health workers, community members, medical professionals, and others around the world to develop, publish, and share accurate health information. To help all people take greater control over their health, Hesperian’s books are written using plain, easy-to-understand language, feature plentiful illustrations and are regularly updated with the latest medical information.
Heavily illustrated and written in plain language, this handbook emphasizes addressing the underlying causes of poor health and focuses on cleanliness, healthy diet, vaccinations, and appropriate, cautious use of medicines. Useful for health workers, educators, and others involved in primary care and health promotion, Where There Is No Doctor has been translated into over 75 languages around the world. This practical and trusted guide helps readers protect and care for their own health and that of their families and communities. The latest reprint (May 2023, 19th printing) includes updated information on how and when to use medicines, alcohol and drug misuse, treating sexually transmitted infections, identifying and treating serious illnesses like tuberculosis and leprosy, and pregnancy and birth. About Hesperian Health Hesperian partners with health workers, community members, medical professionals, and others around the world to develop, publish, and share accurate health information. To help all people take greater control over their health, Hesperian’s books are written using plain, easy-to-understand language, feature plentiful illustrations and are regularly updated with the latest medical information.
446 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 1977
202 people are currently reading
3717 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 17, 2011
I first started using this book when I worked in a refugee camp in 1984. Since then I've used material from it in training workshops in 12 different countries. It's hard to overemphasize how important this book is, not only as a text, but from a philosophical standpoint: Werner has spent his life trying to decrease our dependence on the medical establishment and this book does it perfectly, carefully noting when and why we need to seek professional care, but listing all the areas of health that can be managed at home, even for people with little or no education. It's simple, smart, kind and filled with clear, delightful illustrations. Updated editions do a good job of maintaining Werner's original intent, and spin-offs carry on his philosophy into other areas of health. The book is so widely translated and used that it has changed the way aid agencies operate. Utterly brilliant!
July 30, 2009
This was my medical reference book during my time in the Peace Corps. I think I diagnosed myself with African River Blindness about 200 times.
November 9, 2013
Where There is No Doctor is a guide for caring for people's health when resources are extremely limited because of distance, poverty, or poor infrastructure. It's an incredible resource, comprehensive yet written in simple, clear language intended to be accessible to someone with basic literacy. You can use the book to look up specific illnesses, symptoms, and medications, or browse by chapter for more holistic information about conditions impacting different body systems or groups of people (children, pregnant women). There's a special emphasis on tropical and childhood diseases that are mostly eliminated in industrialized countries by vaccinations, sanitation infrastructure, etc. There are also chapters on nutrition, sanitation and hygiene, the importance of empowering all people to care for their own health, and even how unfair distribution of resources contributes to poor health and what can be done (grassroots political organizing).
The book serves as a reference for trained healthworkers but also as a textbook for those who don't have access to (someone with) training. It gives enough information to make informed decisions and take action, but does not belabor the reader with biology or chemistry. The book also explains the limits of care-- when someone really needs a hospital, trained healthworker, or special medication-- and how to cope when that option is not available, including supporting someone in comfort and dignity while they live with disability or die.
I am super proud of myself for reading this cover to cover. If that's not your jam, I highly recommend for those of you reading this on a computer & therefore who likely have access to doctors, pharmacies, and advice from the internet (!), check out these introductory chapters and a few others:
- Introduction and Brown Pages: Words to the village health worker
- Home cures and popular beliefs
- How to take care of a sick person
- Healing without medicines
- Right and wrong uses of modern medicines
- Nutrition: what to eat to be healthy
- Prevention: how to avoid many sicknesses
- Information for mothers and midwives
The whole book is available free for download.
I am not a health practitioner and do not have time or energy to devote to truly becoming trained in medicine (I'll stick with food, sorry all you MPH's!). That said, between the work I do on ag and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, my activism in wilderness or protest settings, my fascination with plant-based medicine and herbalism, my dirtypunk and/or thrill-seeking lifestyle, and time spent living in the States with no health insurance, I've truly internalized the value of "people's healthcare" tools like this. This book puts simple, clear healthcare instructions in the hands of anyone who can read. It's set up so that you can take different paths of care depending on what you can access. It is accessible for those with no training but gives additional steps for those who are trained and able to take them.
Similarly flexible healthcare tools include the 8-day Wilderness First Responder trainings (available in the US for about $700) that teach first aid and strategic decision-making during serious emergencies where there is no hospital; 20-hour Street Medic trainings (usually at sliding scale $0-50) that teach physical and emotional first aid during protest situations when healthcare is often available but not in the immediate circumstances while access is in the hands of the folks (cops) inflicting most of the injuries; Red Cross First Aid/CPR and community disaster preparedness courses; and myriad books and courses on herbalism, home remedies, and nutritious whole foods. Access some of them! Do ittt!
The book serves as a reference for trained healthworkers but also as a textbook for those who don't have access to (someone with) training. It gives enough information to make informed decisions and take action, but does not belabor the reader with biology or chemistry. The book also explains the limits of care-- when someone really needs a hospital, trained healthworker, or special medication-- and how to cope when that option is not available, including supporting someone in comfort and dignity while they live with disability or die.
I am super proud of myself for reading this cover to cover. If that's not your jam, I highly recommend for those of you reading this on a computer & therefore who likely have access to doctors, pharmacies, and advice from the internet (!), check out these introductory chapters and a few others:
- Introduction and Brown Pages: Words to the village health worker
- Home cures and popular beliefs
- How to take care of a sick person
- Healing without medicines
- Right and wrong uses of modern medicines
- Nutrition: what to eat to be healthy
- Prevention: how to avoid many sicknesses
- Information for mothers and midwives
The whole book is available free for download.
I am not a health practitioner and do not have time or energy to devote to truly becoming trained in medicine (I'll stick with food, sorry all you MPH's!). That said, between the work I do on ag and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa, my activism in wilderness or protest settings, my fascination with plant-based medicine and herbalism, my dirtypunk and/or thrill-seeking lifestyle, and time spent living in the States with no health insurance, I've truly internalized the value of "people's healthcare" tools like this. This book puts simple, clear healthcare instructions in the hands of anyone who can read. It's set up so that you can take different paths of care depending on what you can access. It is accessible for those with no training but gives additional steps for those who are trained and able to take them.
Similarly flexible healthcare tools include the 8-day Wilderness First Responder trainings (available in the US for about $700) that teach first aid and strategic decision-making during serious emergencies where there is no hospital; 20-hour Street Medic trainings (usually at sliding scale $0-50) that teach physical and emotional first aid during protest situations when healthcare is often available but not in the immediate circumstances while access is in the hands of the folks (cops) inflicting most of the injuries; Red Cross First Aid/CPR and community disaster preparedness courses; and myriad books and courses on herbalism, home remedies, and nutritious whole foods. Access some of them! Do ittt!
May 17, 2012
If you have joined the Peace Corps, you have read this book...and probably reread it about twenty five times after. It is an immense source of knowledge of medical conditions, treatments and resources available for communities without professional help available. Everything from how to take blood pressure (and what those results actually mean) to a differential diagnosis of stomach pain, it has become essential to me in working with community health workers learning to deal with major medical problems. Although it is an old book, it has been updated with added appendices on a host of modern medical issues, including HIV/AIDS, prenatal care,geriatric care, contraception/family planning techniques, and a catalog of modern medicines to combat diseases.
Some issues that I can raise is there is a lack of resources for mental health care; while the appendix contains information on substance abuse, there is relatively little on caring for those with mental disorders without resorting to claims of demonic possessions or curses (which, in my experience, is a pretty common default diagnosis). Western care may not be available or even appropriate for these disorders, but it would be helpful to acknowledge them and their symptoms - schizophrenia and psychoses are just as common in the developing world as anywhere else - and explain that these are in no way supernatural.
In addition, a more comprehensive section on TB, particularly dealing with the growing threat of drug resistant strains, would be quite useful. But as more editions are printed, and the epidemiological climate changes, I am sure it will be updated accordingly.
I have used this book extensively; it is dog-eared and marked all over. I travel with it constantly, and use the pictures and diagrams to explain concepts to my community. It is fantastic, and anyone interested in community health would be remiss to be without it.
Some issues that I can raise is there is a lack of resources for mental health care; while the appendix contains information on substance abuse, there is relatively little on caring for those with mental disorders without resorting to claims of demonic possessions or curses (which, in my experience, is a pretty common default diagnosis). Western care may not be available or even appropriate for these disorders, but it would be helpful to acknowledge them and their symptoms - schizophrenia and psychoses are just as common in the developing world as anywhere else - and explain that these are in no way supernatural.
In addition, a more comprehensive section on TB, particularly dealing with the growing threat of drug resistant strains, would be quite useful. But as more editions are printed, and the epidemiological climate changes, I am sure it will be updated accordingly.
I have used this book extensively; it is dog-eared and marked all over. I travel with it constantly, and use the pictures and diagrams to explain concepts to my community. It is fantastic, and anyone interested in community health would be remiss to be without it.
December 31, 2007
All the stuff you learned in Health class and all the stuff you should have but didn't. Indispensible. This is basically a handbook for people who are charged with the task of providing health care to people in undeveloped countries. It tells you basic diagnosis and treatment for common ailments, and also teaches you how to teach them how to keep themselves healthy. It's cartoonish and seemingly dumbed down at times, but don't underestimate this book. Even if you're an MD, you'll be surprised at what you forgot if you haven't been working in an area with malnutrition, poor sanitation, and rampant superstitions.
February 6, 2012
Fantastic book. I keep going back to this (especially when I'm sick and want to check my symptoms) and I get more and more out of it every time. The fact is that most people who get sick in rural areas don't have really complicated illnesses, but since they're poor and have little to no access to over-the-counter type medications, things go unchecked and turn into more serious problems. This book not only has great basic medical info, but lots of prevention ideas and talks a lot about social justice and trying to find the root of community problems in order to prevent common afflictions like diarrhea and respiratory infections. Love it.
April 12, 2025
All standard textbooks of clinical sciences are written keeping the international standard in mind. Some modifications are allowed on a country-specific scale. However, medicine is an inexact science and so does the practice vary across regions and in case of diverse nations- maybe even in a mile-range.
Given how resource-restrained Third World nations are, and how bulk of the populations live in rural regions which are inaccessible to or lack adequate materials for proper healthcare, a sense of community welfare and local participation becomes a priority to deliver to the demands and basic needs for the preservation of life or smooth passage of death.
This book does a fantastical job of informing health workers or officers posted in rural areas to be aware of the common conditions that people suffer from, the complications and basic management. It avoids medical jargon, and every practice or point is supplemented with easy-to comprehend hand-drawn pictures.
It has informative chapters on administering First Aid, different diseases that people face- also changed WRT age, sex, physical condition, weather, over-the counter drugs, etc
While the book focuses on Mexico (since that's what it was published for), any doctor or health worker can, to his personal benefit and optimize his tasks, use this book as a template for the region he is concerned with.
Given that currently many medical graduates in South Asia are under legal binding to serve at periphery for 1-5 years after graduation, this book IS A MUST! To look beyond the simulated environments of lab, classroom, controlled chaos of wards and OTs, into the real places where one has to serve.
It is also necessary for the average citizen to know of common health conditions, not get maddened by misinformation or info overload, and take the right steps and maybe, even avoid visiting doctors for common problems he can solve at home.
Mind you that the control and the solution has a limit.
Anyways, good read.
Given how resource-restrained Third World nations are, and how bulk of the populations live in rural regions which are inaccessible to or lack adequate materials for proper healthcare, a sense of community welfare and local participation becomes a priority to deliver to the demands and basic needs for the preservation of life or smooth passage of death.
This book does a fantastical job of informing health workers or officers posted in rural areas to be aware of the common conditions that people suffer from, the complications and basic management. It avoids medical jargon, and every practice or point is supplemented with easy-to comprehend hand-drawn pictures.
It has informative chapters on administering First Aid, different diseases that people face- also changed WRT age, sex, physical condition, weather, over-the counter drugs, etc
While the book focuses on Mexico (since that's what it was published for), any doctor or health worker can, to his personal benefit and optimize his tasks, use this book as a template for the region he is concerned with.
Given that currently many medical graduates in South Asia are under legal binding to serve at periphery for 1-5 years after graduation, this book IS A MUST! To look beyond the simulated environments of lab, classroom, controlled chaos of wards and OTs, into the real places where one has to serve.
It is also necessary for the average citizen to know of common health conditions, not get maddened by misinformation or info overload, and take the right steps and maybe, even avoid visiting doctors for common problems he can solve at home.
Mind you that the control and the solution has a limit.
Anyways, good read.
June 24, 2025
Had good info but not as much as I expected
March 19, 2017
I can already tell that this book is a very valuable resource, especially for those in places far away from modern medicine. I also like the philosophy of the author: medical care is a human right and should not be solely controlled by a small number of individuals. "Some doctors talk about self-care as if it were dangerous, perhaps because they like people to depend on their costly services. But in truth, most common health problems could be handled earlier and better by people in their own homes."
July 1, 2011
This book was SO not what I expected. It was mostly just common sense things, and what meds to treat things with. Meds that here in the states you have to get from a doc.
Was looking for a book on really how to treat things when there are "No Doctors" . . . what Herbs to use, how to take out a bullet, how to mend a broken bone & make a cast, those kinds of things.
Guess my book search continues. Maybe "Culpeper's Complete Herbal" will be my next try
Was looking for a book on really how to treat things when there are "No Doctors" . . . what Herbs to use, how to take out a bullet, how to mend a broken bone & make a cast, those kinds of things.
Guess my book search continues. Maybe "Culpeper's Complete Herbal" will be my next try
May 15, 2014
even though I'm a student, but I have interest with everything about doctor.
and this book really helped me to know everything about type of sickness or something like that.
One thing you have to know, this book realllyy thick !
But I finished it for 3 days, hehe
what a good book!
and this book really helped me to know everything about type of sickness or something like that.
One thing you have to know, this book realllyy thick !
But I finished it for 3 days, hehe
what a good book!
June 21, 2012
reviewing this because barrett did. this book is fabulous. what was the quote?
"his mother will say it was because he ate sweets. but no, it is because he has eaten shit!"
"his mother will say it was because he ate sweets. but no, it is because he has eaten shit!"
February 20, 2015
What would I have done for two years in the Zambian bush without this Peace Corps issued gem of a book?
December 5, 2015
This is guide by the Peace Corp. to help people who go out in the world where there are no doctors. It can be useful to know these basic things.
October 11, 2021
This is definitely NGO / 3rd world oriented, and covers a lot of basics like sanitation that will probably be common knowledge to 1st world readers. Also the diseases encountered are 3rd world focused and many are rarely encountered in US. Even so, this is a great primer on how to deal with basic health issues, how to administer drugs, how to avoid disease, how to set bones, etc. It is a classic for a reason: it covers a lot of what you need to know to do more good than harm. Highly recommended for all home libraries. If nothing else it may save you when you need a reference on how to deliver a baby if you get snowed in. 8/10
December 10, 2021
This book is designed especially for Peace Corps volunteers and village health workers, but it is useful for anyone seeking to provide or assist with very basic medical care where few resources are available. The guide also acknowledges when to seek immediate further medical attention. This guide contains extensive information on how to properly dose certain medications or provide important supplies, create birth kits, and take vital signs. It is not a perfect or exhaustive account of medical care, by any means, but it is very in-depth.
January 22, 2020
Great resource. Aimed at third-world communities, but valuable for anyone anywhere who might not have reliable or affordable access to healthcare; or who desires to be more self-reliant. Offers practical advice for self-care and treatment of common health issues, without being condescending to those without formal medical training. Extensive index of medicines and natural remedies. Sanitary and safety advice and reminders are plentiful throughout.
Read
May 26, 2020I remember reading about a "dangerous belief that a woman who has just given birth should not eat certain foods" but I could never find out specifically which foods were meant or why it was dangerous not to eat them. If he said the belief was that those women needed to starve themselves or even only eat junk food it would have made more sense.
September 4, 2018
Excellent handbook for the foreign mission field. The illustrations are sometimes drawn, and are simple for many illiterate as well as those who can read. Very good to teach those who are not doctors or nurses with basic or common health issues.
September 9, 2021
I’ve used this book as a reference book in the the past, reading a little here and there, as need be, but this time, I dedicated myself, and read it, in Spanish, from cover to cover. It is outstanding, never boring, endlessly helpful.
May 16, 2023
Superbly written and organized information on handling common illnesses and medical conditions in situations where the level of medical care many westerners take for granted does not exist. Worth the price of the book for the medication section alone.
March 1, 2017
Very good resource for those who want to be prepared.
June 21, 2017
An exceptional book for medics who work and mentor medical practices of people in other nations.
July 2, 2018
The only reference book on which I have staked my life.
May 30, 2020
Best book to take to a developing country!
Want to read
December 21, 2021Opening the first page
March 2, 2022
It's a book that helps me on my medical line, thanks to the author,Mr.David Werner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2022
You must have this hand book if you are planning to serve on overseas medical mission trips. Gives ton of great practical advice for managing complicated medical issues in a 3rd world context.
November 23, 2022
Such a helpful book! Used it a lot during my time in India and Ghana, West Africa, back in the early 2000s.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews