Reviews

• Many medical libraries have been quick off the mark in establishing an online presence. Medlib (http://www.medlib.netfirms.com/), which describes itself as the medical library gateway, claims to be the largest directory of medical library websites. MedLib has links to more than 750 medical library websites, which are catalogued by continent. There is the facility for visitors to feed back information about any library website that is not yet included. This is a good database with plenty of practical value to a global audience.
• Anyone looking for information on essential drugs and medicines"those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population"should check out the World Health Organization's offering (www.who.int/medicines/). There is an explanation and brief overview of the subject with listings containing links to a large number of relevant documents and resources, such as a model formulary.
• For data about all things to do with chlamydia, visit http://www.chlamydiae.com/, which has a section for the general public and another for health professionals. The site is text heavy and contains several excellent documents; navigation is straightforward and there is a superb links section. Part of the site is password protected, but to register you just have to complete a simple online form.
• The next time that you are asked an awkward science based question (perhaps by a child!) you might find it helpful to visit ScienceNet (http://www.sciencenet.org.uk/). This is a free service that even has a telephone helpline for UK users. The site has a large archive of questions and answers in the popular science field, and these can easily be accessed by a search engine or via the quick links drop-down box, both of which are available from the home page. Medical science is well represented.
• Isabel (http://www.isabel.org.uk/) is a sophisticated site dedicated to helping doctors dealing with paediatric cases. Named after a girl who fell seriously ill with complications resulting from chickenpox, this is a cutting edge website built from a solid database of paediatric information. One of the star features is a tool that offers a list of potential differential diagnoses according to the information entered. Other features include clinical algorithms and an image library. There is a registration process, but it is well worth the effort.

We welcome suggestions for websites to be included in future Netlines. Readers should contact Harry Brown at the above email address.

Harry Brown, general practitioner. 

Leeds DrHarry@dial.pipex.com