Volume 2 of the Handbook series continues in the same fashion as Vol.1, with in-depth analysis of more than 20 common gastrointestinal disorders. Each pattern is discussed from the perspective of its presentation and treatment in a Western context, with insights, practical advice and clinical tips relevant to Western patients. In many cases, syndrome differentiations are more extensive than in other internal medicine texts, and some unique patterns are described. Diagnostic algorithms to aid diagnosis and pattern identification accompany major disorders. All disorders are discussed with reference to etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment with herbs, acupuncture, and related therapies, as well as patent medicines where appropriate. The useful clinical notes section outlines the sorts of prognoses that may be reasonably expected when correct treatment is applied, and gives a general estimate of the length of treatment required. The diseases discussed include those commonly seen in clinic: diarrhoea, constipation, nausea and vomiting, dysenteric disorder (including such biomedical diseases as ulcerative colitis), abdominal and epigastric pain and chronic indigestion, as well as some less well described: the unusual Hu Huo syndrome, mouth ulcers, abdominal bloating, rectal bleeding, haemetemesis, and more.

Like Volume 1, Volume 2 is sturdy, compact, and formatted in such a way as to aid quick reference and easy access to the information you need. More tables, flow charts and appendices make this a user-friendly work, designed to help practitioners find effective solutions quickly and efficiently.