What medical books are currently available on the database , with relevance to surgery , medicine , anatomy , Biochem , forensic medicine and toxicology, physiology, Obgy and Paeds and pathology
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Here is the full catalogue of books available in the database, organized by the specialties you asked about (plus everything else available):
Surgery
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th Edition | 9780367548117 |
| Current Surgical Therapy, 14e | 9780323796835 |
| Fischer's Mastery of Surgery, 8th Edition | 9781975176433 |
| Mulholland and Greenfield's Surgery: Scientific Principles and Practice, 7e | 9781975143169 |
| Pye's Surgical Handicraft, 22nd Edition | 0750613637 |
| S Das: A Manual on Clinical Surgery, 13th Edition | 9788190568104 |
| Schwartz's Principles of Surgery, 2-Volume Set, 11th Edition | 9781259835346 |
| Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice | 9780443124341 |
Internal Medicine
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Goldman-Cecil Medicine International Edition, 2-Volume Set | 9780323930345 |
| Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 22nd Edition (2025) | 9781265977061 |
| Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 2-Volume Set | 9780323935364 |
| Frameworks for Internal Medicine | 9781496359308 |
| Rheumatology, 2-Volume Set (2022, Elsevier) | 9780702081330 |
| Symptom to Diagnosis: An Evidence-Based Guide, 4th Edition | 9781260121117 |
| The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics | 9781975190620 |
Anatomy
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 1 (Musculoskeletal) | 9783132424432 |
| Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 2 (Internal Organs) | 9783132424487 |
| Color Atlas of Human Anatomy Vol. 3 (Nervous System & Sensory Organs) | 9783132424517 |
| Color Atlas of Ultrasound Anatomy, 3e | 9783132422049 |
| General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System (Thieme Atlas of Anatomy) | 9781626237186 |
| Gray's Anatomy for Students | 9780323934237 |
| Imaging Anatomy: Bones, Joints, Vessels and Nerves, Vol. 3 | 9781626239845 |
| Netter's Atlas of Human Anatomy | 9780323547048 |
Biochemistry
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Basic Medical Biochemistry: A Clinical Approach, 6e | 9781975150143 |
| Biochemistry, 8th Edition - Lippincott Illustrated Reviews | 9781975155063 |
| Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry, 32nd Edition | 9781260469943 |
Forensic Medicine & Toxicology
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Brogdon's Forensic Radiology | 9781420075632 |
| DiMaio's Forensic Pathology, 3rd Edition | 9780429318764 |
| Forensic Anthropology: A Comprehensive Introduction, 2nd Edition | 9781498736121 |
| P C Dikshit: Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology | 9788188867967 |
| Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology | 9789388902267 |
| The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th Edition (2026) | 9789366165257 |
Physiology
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Costanzo Physiology, 7th Edition | 9780323793339 |
| Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology, 26th Edition | 9781260122404 |
| Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology | 9780443111013 |
| Medical Physiology (Boron & Boulpaep) | 9780323319737 |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Berek & Novak's Gynecology | 9781496380357 |
| Creasy & Resnik's Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice | 9780323828499 |
Paediatrics
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Red Book 2021: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases | 9781610025218 |
| The Harriet Lane Handbook (Johns Hopkins), 23rd Edition | 9780323876988 |
Pathology
| Title | ISBN |
|---|---|
| Robbins & Kumar Basic Pathology (Robbins Pathology) | 9780323790185 |
| Robbins, Cotran & Kumar: Pathologic Basis of Disease | 9780443264528 |
Other Specialties Also Available
| Specialty | Notable Titles |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | Miller's Anesthesia 10e, Barash Clinical Anesthesia 9e, Morgan & Mikhail 7e |
| Cardiology | Braunwald's Heart Disease, Fuster & Hurst's The Heart 15e |
| Dermatology | Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, Dermatology 2-Vol Set 5e |
| Emergency Medicine | Rosen's Emergency Medicine, Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine, Roberts & Hedges |
| ENT | Cummings Otolaryngology, Scott-Brown's 3-volume set, Shambaugh Surgery of the Ear |
| Gastroenterology | Sleisenger & Fordtran's GI and Liver Disease, Yamada's Gastroenterology 7e |
| Immunology | Cellular & Molecular Immunology, Janeway's Immunobiology 10e, Roitt's Essential Immunology |
| Laboratory Medicine | Henry's Clinical Diagnosis, Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine 7e |
| Microbiology | Jawetz, Melnick & Adelberg's Medical Microbiology 28e, Medical Microbiology 9e |
| Nephrology | Brenner & Rector's The Kidney 2-Vol, Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology 7e |
| Neurology | Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology 12e, Bradley & Daroff's Neurology |
| Ophthalmology | Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology 10e, Wills Eye Manual |
| Orthopedics | Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics 15e (2026), Rockwood & Green's Fractures 10e (2025) |
| Pharmacology | Goodman & Gilman's 14e, Katzung's Basic & Clinical Pharmacology 16e, Lippincott Pharmacology |
| Psychiatry | Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook, Synopsis of Psychiatry, Stahl's Psychopharmacology |
| Pulmonology | Murray & Nadel's Respiratory Medicine, Fishman's Pulmonary Diseases & Disorders |
| Radiology | Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology |
| Urology | Campbell Walsh Wein Urology 3-Vol, Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery |
| Community Medicine | Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine |
| Embryology | Langman's Medical Embryology, The Developing Human (Moore) |
| Genetics | Thompson & Thompson Genetics in Medicine 9e, Emery's Elements of Medical Genetics |
| Histology | Junqueira's Basic Histology 17e, Histology: A Text and Atlas (Ross) |
The database holds 113+ titles across 30+ specialties. The forensic medicine section is notably strong with 6 titles including the latest 2026 edition of Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. Surgery has 8 major references, and internal medicine is anchored by the latest Harrison's 22nd Edition (2025) and Goldman-Cecil. Just ask if you'd like to search within any specific book or topic!
Sodium citrate as preservative in forensic medicine
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I now have comprehensive content from the forensic medicine textbooks. Let me compile the full answer.
Sodium Citrate as a Preservative in Forensic Medicine
What is Sodium Citrate?
Sodium citrate (Na₃C₆H₅O₇) is a sodium salt of citric acid. In forensic and laboratory contexts it functions primarily as an anticoagulant - it works by chelating (binding) ionized calcium (Ca²⁺) from blood, which is required at multiple steps of the coagulation cascade. Without free calcium, blood cannot clot. It also has mild preservative properties by inhibiting some enzymatic degradation.
Role in Forensic Specimen Preservation
1. Blood Grouping
For blood preserved for ABO grouping (not toxicological analysis), the standard preservative is:
5% w/v sodium citrate in water + 0.25% v/v formalin (equal volume to blood collected; approximately 2-3 mL blood is sufficient)
-
The sodium citrate acts as the anticoagulant to keep blood liquid
-
The formalin component (0.25%) fixes and preserves the red cell antigens for grouping
-
This combination is used when the purpose is identity/blood group determination, not poison analysis
-
Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, p. 140
2. Specific Poisoning Cases - When Sodium Citrate Replaces Potassium Oxalate
In most poisoning cases, the standard preservative for liquid blood (10 mL) is:
- 30 mg potassium oxalate (anticoagulant) + 10 mg/mL sodium fluoride (enzyme inhibitor, prevents glycolysis)
However, sodium citrate (30 mg per 10 mL blood) is used as a substitute for potassium oxalate in specific poisoning scenarios where oxalate would interfere with analysis:
| Suspected Poison | Why Sodium Citrate Instead of Potassium Oxalate |
|---|---|
| Oxalic acid poisoning | Adding more oxalate (from potassium oxalate) would contaminate the sample and interfere with detection of the very poison being tested |
| Ethylene glycol poisoning | Ethylene glycol is metabolized to oxalic acid in the body; adding exogenous oxalate interferes with accurate analysis |
So the rule is:
In poisoning by oxalic acid and ethylene glycol - use 30 mg sodium citrate (not potassium oxalate) per 10 mL blood as the anticoagulant/preservative.
- The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 36th Edition (2026)
- Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
3. Why Not Use EDTA or Heparin?
Both EDTA and heparin are NOT used as anticoagulants in forensic blood samples because:
- They interfere with the detection of methanol (a commonly analyzed substance in suspected poisoning and drink-driving cases)
- EDTA chelates metals and can affect heavy metal analysis
- Heparin can interfere with DNA extraction procedures
Sodium citrate does not carry these interferences, making it preferable in specific contexts.
- Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Summary Table: Preservatives Used for Forensic Blood Specimens
| Purpose | Preservative Used |
|---|---|
| Routine blood grouping / identity | 5% sodium citrate + 0.25% formalin |
| General toxicology / alcohol analysis | Potassium oxalate (30 mg) + sodium fluoride (10 mg/mL) |
| Oxalic acid poisoning | Sodium citrate (30 mg/10 mL) + sodium fluoride |
| Ethylene glycol poisoning | Sodium citrate (30 mg/10 mL) + sodium fluoride |
| Fluoride poisoning | Sodium nitrite (10 g) replaces sodium fluoride |
| Carbon monoxide poisoning | Liquid paraffin layer (1-2 cm) over sample, airtight cap |
| Cocaine analysis | Sodium fluoride; avoid plastic containers |
Other Forensic Preservatives for Context
| Specimen | Standard Preservative |
|---|---|
| Viscera (stomach, liver, kidney, spleen) | Saturated saline OR rectified spirit |
| Urine | Sodium fluoride (100 mg/10 mL), or thymol, or saturated NaCl |
| Blood (general toxicology) | Potassium oxalate + sodium fluoride |
| Blood (alcohol/CO/CN) | Sodium fluoride; airtight cap for CO/CN |
| Vitreous humor (for alcohol) | Sodium fluoride |
| CSF (for alcohol) | Sodium fluoride |
Note: Formaldehyde/formalin must NOT be used to preserve viscera for toxicological analysis - it makes extraction of non-volatile organic compounds extremely difficult.
No preservative is needed if: viscera can be analyzed within 24 hours, samples can be refrigerated/kept on ice, or specimens are bone, hair, or nails.
Mechanism of Action (Anticoagulant Effect)
Sodium citrate works by forming a soluble, non-ionized complex with calcium ions:
Na₃-citrate + Ca²⁺ → Ca-citrate complex (non-ionized) + 3 Na⁺
This reversibly removes free Ca²⁺ from plasma, blocking the coagulation cascade at multiple points (factors IV, VII, IX, X, thrombin, fibrin polymerization all require calcium). Because it is reversible (unlike oxalate which precipitates calcium), recalcification of citrated plasma is possible - which is why sodium citrate is the anticoagulant of choice in coagulation studies (PT, APTT) at a concentration of 3.2% (0.109 M) in a 9:1 blood-to-anticoagulant ratio.
- Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine, 7th Edition
- Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods
Purpose of k3 preservative and edta in forensic
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Excellent - I now have thorough material from multiple authoritative sources. Here is the complete answer:
K3EDTA (Tripotassium EDTA) as a Preservative in Forensic Medicine
What is K3EDTA?
EDTA = Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. It is a chelating agent available as several salts:
- K2EDTA (dipotassium) - spray-dried form, preferred in routine lab
- K3EDTA (tripotassium) - liquid form, ~1-2% dilution effect on sample
- Disodium EDTA - less commonly used
All forms work by the same mechanism. The K3 (tripotassium) form is commonly provided as a liquid inside the collection tube, while K2EDTA is spray-dried on the tube walls.
Mechanism of Action
EDTA is a chelating agent for divalent cations - it irreversibly binds calcium (Ca²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺). Since calcium is essential for multiple steps in the coagulation cascade, chelating it completely prevents blood from clotting.
"EDTA prevents coagulation by binding calcium, which is essential for the clotting mechanism."
- Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine, 7th Edition
Unlike sodium citrate (which is reversible), EDTA's calcium chelation is stronger and essentially irreversible at the concentrations used, making it unsuitable for coagulation studies (which require recalcification) but ideal for preserving whole blood cellular morphology.
Effective concentration: 1-2 g/L of blood.
Tube Identification
| Tube Colour | Contents | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender/Purple top | K2EDTA or K3EDTA | Haematology (CBC, blood film) |
| Pink top | Spray-dried K2EDTA | Blood bank, ABO grouping, cross-matching |
| White top | EDTA + gel | Molecular diagnostics (plasma) |
Forensic Uses of EDTA (Purple-Top Tube)
1. DNA Profiling / Genetic Identification
This is the primary forensic use of EDTA-preserved blood. EDTA:
- Preserves the cellular components of blood intact (prevents lysis)
- Inhibits DNases by chelating the Mg²⁺ cofactors these enzymes require
- Enables high-yield extraction of genomic DNA for STR analysis, PCR, fingerprinting
- White-top tubes (EDTA + gel) allow plasma/cell separation for molecular diagnostics
- Blue/black EDTA tubes with density gradient allow recovery of nucleated cells, increasing DNA yield
"EDTA is particularly useful for... isolation of genomic DNA... and qualitative and quantitative virus determinations by molecular techniques because it preserves the cellular components of blood."
- Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine, 7th Edition
2. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning - Carboxyhemoglobin Testing
EDTA tubes preserve carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations stably for analysis.
"Carboxyhemoglobin concentrations are stable for up to 2 years if kept refrigerated in sealed EDTA or sodium fluoride tubes."
- DiMaio's Forensic Pathology, 3rd Edition
3. Backup for General Toxicological Testing
When the preferred gray-top tubes (sodium fluoride + potassium oxalate) are unavailable, purple-top EDTA tubes can be used as an alternative for toxicology screening.
"10 mL in a purple-top glass test tube (preservative EDTA) for DNA analysis and carbon monoxide testing; can be used for tox testing in the absence of gray-top tubes."
- DiMaio's Forensic Pathology, 3rd Edition
4. Blood Grouping and Transfusion Medicine
Pink-top EDTA tubes are FDA-approved for ABO/Rh typing and antibody screening - relevant in forensic identification of victims and mass casualty events.
Critical Limitations and Contraindications in Forensic Toxicology
This is the most important forensic point regarding EDTA:
EDTA Must NOT Be Used When Testing For:
| Analyte | Reason EDTA Interferes |
|---|---|
| Methanol | EDTA, along with formalin, heparin, and methanamine, gives a false positive test for methanol - a critical toxicological artefact |
| Calcium | EDTA chelates calcium directly - any calcium measurement will return undetectable/falsely low values |
| Magnesium & Iron | Chelated directly by EDTA |
| Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) | EDTA inhibits this enzyme by chelating its metallic cofactors |
| Creatine kinase (CK) | Inhibited by EDTA |
| Cholesterol | Reported to be decreased 3-5% in EDTA samples |
"It should be emphasized that preservatives such as EDTA, formalin, heparin and methanamine give a positive test for methanol and these should not be used as anticoagulants for blood if an analysis for methanol is required."
- P.C. Dikshit - Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
"Heparin and EDTA should not be used as anticoagulants since they interfere with detection of methanol."
- Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
K2EDTA vs K3EDTA - Practical Differences
| Property | K2EDTA | K3EDTA |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Spray-dried on tube walls | Liquid inside tube |
| Sample dilution | None | ~1-2% dilution |
| Cell morphology | Better (less osmotic distortion) | Slight cell shrinkage at higher pH |
| MCV measurement | More accurate | Slightly less accurate |
| Preferred form | Yes (ICSH recommended) | Less preferred for haematology |
| pH | Lower (~5-6) | Higher (~7.5) |
The International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) recommends K2EDTA as the preferred form because K3EDTA's liquid form causes ~1-2% dilution and some cell swelling artefacts. However, both are clinically equivalent for DNA extraction and most forensic purposes.
Summary: When to Use vs Avoid EDTA in Forensic Specimens
| Situation | EDTA (Purple/Pink top) Appropriate? |
|---|---|
| DNA profiling / STR analysis | YES - preferred |
| Carbon monoxide / COHb measurement | YES - stable for up to 2 years refrigerated |
| Blood grouping / identity | YES (pink top) |
| Haematological examination (CBC) | YES - anticoagulant of choice |
| Methanol poisoning analysis | NO - gives false positive |
| Calcium/Magnesium measurement | NO - chelates these directly |
| Alcohol toxicology (routine) | NO - use fluoride-oxalate (gray top) |
| Routine toxicology (when gray top unavailable) | Acceptable as backup only |
- DiMaio's Forensic Pathology, 3rd Edition, p. 485-486
- Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine, 7th Edition
- P.C. Dikshit: Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, p. 115
- Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, p. 140
- Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods
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