Ever since the publication of David Werner's Where there is no doctor, one has yearned for a book addressing the situation: 'Where there is a doctor'. The growing evidence of avarice among clinical practitioners makes this need particularly acute, and the books under review are welcome. The fact that these are written by practising doctors is noteworthy. The first book looks at the current, dismal health-care scenario and lists some measures to cope with it. The second is a guide for patients to make intelligent use of medical care.