Medical webwatch.

The sounds on the McGill University Virtual Stethoscope http://sprojects.mmip.mcgill.ca/mvs/ are accessed via the "Respiratory" or "Cardiac" drop-down menus. Also available from the drop-downs are their "Pathophysiology" and "Physical Examination" illustrated notes with an emphasis on auscultation. The Virtual Stethoscope material is presented as brief synopses placed above a spectral illustration of the pathologic sound in question, with the actual sound being elicited via the "Click for Sound" button. The various pathologies are grouped to the ausculatory areas. The website was produced as a student project, and other interesting McGill projects are listed at http://sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/ The Virtual Stethoscope is an amusing introduction to the subject for students.

Heart Sounds and Cardiac Arrhythmias http://www.blaufuss.org/ is an excellent tutorial from Medical Media Laboratories. The animated cartoons of heart physiology, together with patient images, ECGs, cardiac cycle pressure profiles, and, of course, sound are all integrated to give a wonderful tutorial experience. Interaction with the tutorial enables addition/removal of various components of the recording/playback for the associated pathologies. Navigation is straight forward and a pleasure to progress through.

The website also offers an equally informative SVT tutorial, and there is an ECG viewer with interactive ruler. This absorbing experience is rounded off with a heart sounds quiz proficiency test.

EndocrineSurgeon.co.uk http://www.endocrinesurgeon.co.uk/endocrine_conditions/index.html has eleven endocrine conditions listed on the menu (by anatomy), each opening to a description of the various pathologies considered under "What Causes?," "Symptoms," and "Diagnosis." EndocrineSurgeon.co.uk has been put together by a group of expert consultants working in the NHS and private sectors in the United Kingdom. The website has comprehensive and up-to-date information and is designed for both patients and health professionals.

DermIS http://www.dermis.net/dermisroot/en/home/index.htm is a catalogue of adult and pediatric dermatological conditions. For most of the conditions, a brief description is combined with the images. The website is an ideal access point for succinct presentations of dermatological conditions with comprehensive differential diagnosis listings. The team of curators of this collection of images is directed by Professor T.L. Diepgen, Project Leader, Head of the Department for Clinical and Social Medicine, University of Heidelberg and Professor G. Schuler, Chairman of the Department of Dermatology, University of Erlangen. Access is via A to Z indexes or via an interactive body map.

The National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ is from US Department of Veterans Affairs and is packed full of interesting material, especially under the "Topics" item on the menu. These include: "Biology of PTSD," "Treatment," and under "Disasters" will be found "Disaster Mental Health Services: A Guidebook for Clinicians and Administrators." Also on the website are "Health fact sheets for public and professionals" and a large selection of audiovisual presentations. "The National Center for PTSD was created in 1989 within the Veterans' Administration (which has since become the Department of Veterans Affairs) in response to a Congressional mandate to address the needs of veterans with military-related posttraumatic stress disorder," and "the mission of the National Center for PTSD is to advance the clinical care and social welfare of America's veterans through research, education, and training in the science, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders." The website is a well structured and very informative resource.

Dittrick Medical History Centre http://www.case.edu.artsci/dittrick/site2/ On the museum tab, explore the following galleries: doctor's offices, pharmacy, or browse the various diagnostic instruments, images, and online exhibits. A pleasure to visit.

E-mail: [e-mail] with your favorite websites.