Amid the growing number of books on diabetes for lay people, few are directed specifically and exclusively to childhood diabetes. Even fewer address the psychosocial ramifications of that disease in significant detail. Dr Oman Craig, who for more than 25 years has managed the Diabetes Clinic at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland, has attempted to fill this need with the book Clinical Diabetes: The Facts. The book is directed primarily toward parents and covers the pathophysiology and treatment of childhood diabetes. Throughout the factual information, Craig is able to convey an amazing understanding of the day-to-day emotional concerns that face a diabetic and his/her family.
In his short preface, Craig suggests that his book should amplify, not supplant, the teaching materials commonly used by hospitals and clinics. He adds that he has tried to avoid "writing down" to his readers and suggests that the reader may wish