Dorland's Medical Dictionary facts for kids

Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary is a very important medical dictionary. It was first created by William Alexander Newman Dorland and printed in 1890. Think of it as a huge book that helps people understand medical words.

Today, "Dorland's" is a well-known name for many medical books. There are more than 20 different books in this family. You can find them as printed books, on CD-ROMs, and even online.

What is Dorland's Dictionary?

Dorland's is a famous collection of medical reference books. These books help students, doctors, and nurses understand medical terms. They explain what different diseases are, how the body works, and what medical tools are used.

How It Started

The first main book was published in 1890. It was called the American Illustrated Medical Dictionary. This first edition had 770 pages of medical information.

A smaller version, perfect for carrying around, came out later. This "pocket" edition was first published in 1898. It was called the American Pocket Medical Dictionary and had just over 500 pages.

Different Versions Today

The main book, Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, is still very popular. It has been updated many times and is now in its 32nd edition. This means it has been revised and improved 32 times!

The smaller Dorland's Pocket Medical Dictionary is also still available. It is now in its 28th edition. These books are always being updated with new medical knowledge.

Why the Name Change?

William Alexander Newman Dorland, the person who started these dictionaries, passed away in 1956. After he died, the books were officially renamed to include his name. People already knew them as "Dorland's" anyway.

The main illustrated dictionary has grown a lot over the years. For example, the 31st edition had 2208 pages. This shows how much medical knowledge has expanded!