ew Publication Pattern and Format
Beginning with the 2002 edition, the NLM Classification is published in
electronic form and updated annually. The online environment offers many advantages to users
including hyperlinks between class numbers in the index and the schedules, between terms within the index,
and links from "MeSH Tree icons" in the Index to the term in the Medical Subject
Headings (MeSH®) Browser.
The development of the online data creation and maintenance system used to produce this
edition of the Classification gives NLM the ability to update it annually in tandem with MeSH.
The NLM Classification is available for downloading in HTML at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/class.
Publication of printed editions ceased with the 5th revised edition, 1999.
Scope of Revision
The 2002 edition incorporates all additions and changes to the schedules since 1999. New class
numbers were added as needed to reflect changes in MeSH and the biomedical and related sciences literature cataloged.
Class numbers added and deleted are given below. The Index was updated with appropriate MeSH concepts through 2002.
The outlines of all schedules were systematically reviewed and revised, and new ones were developed
for schedules where none existed. These outlines provide the user with a quick overview of a schedule's
content and assist in maneuvering through one.
Class number names were revised to reflect changes in MeSH application and practices as well
as changes in MeSH itself. For example:
- The class name "Hemodialysis" was replaced with the MeSH concept "Renal Dialysis"
- The term "Nomenclature" was deleted from all class names because it is now a see reference to "Terminology" in MeSH
- Prepositional phrases used as class names were simplified, e.g., "Nursing of diseases of the respiratory system"
became "Respiratory system nursing"
The following is a list of class numbers added to the 2002 edition of the NLM Classification.
| New Number |
Class Name |
Previously Classed In |
|
QV Pharmacology |
|
| QV 325 |
Antioxidants |
QV 800 |
|
QW Microbiology and Immunology |
|
| QW 45 |
Microbial drug resistance |
QW 52 |
| QW 168.5.F5 |
Flaviviridae |
QW 168 |
|
QZ Pathology |
|
| QZ 52 |
Genetic techniques |
QH 441 |
|
W Health Professions |
|
| W 74.1 |
General coverage (Not Table G) |
W 74 |
|
WA Public Health |
|
| WA 295 |
Disasters. Disaster planning. Rescue work. Terrorism |
Various numbers |
| WA 487.5.H4 |
Health personnel |
WA 487 |
|
WB Practice of Medicine |
|
| WB 60 |
Bioethics. Clinical ethics. Clinical ethics committees |
QH 332 |
| WB 369.5 |
Specific techniques, A-Z |
WB 369 |
| WB 369.5.A17 |
Acupressure |
WB 369 |
| WB 369.5.A18 |
Acupuncture Analgesia |
WB 369 |
| WB 369.5.E2 |
Ear acupuncture |
WB 369 |
| WB 369.5.E4 |
Electroacupuncture |
WB 369 |
| WB 369.5.M5 |
Meridians. Acupuncture points |
WB 369 |
| WB 369.5.M9 |
Moxibustion |
WB 369 |
|
WD Disorders of Systemic, Metabolic or Environmental Origin, etc. |
|
| WD 200.5.H5 |
Hyperammonemia |
WD 200 |
| WD 200.5.M6 |
Mitochondrial diseases |
WD 200 |
|
WG Cardiovascular System |
|
| WG 141.5.M2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging |
WG 141 |
|
WY Nursing |
|
| WY 159.5 |
Family nursing |
Various numbers |
|
WZ History of Medicine |
|
| WZ 65 |
21st century |
None |
| WZ 112.5.A2 |
Allied health personnel |
WZ 112 |
| WZ 112.5.B3 |
Biologists |
WZ 112 |
| WZ 112.5.D4 |
Dermatologists |
WZ 112 |
| WZ 112.5.G2 |
Gastroenterologists |
WZ 112 |
| WZ 112.5.P15 |
Parasitologists |
WZ 112 |
| WZ 112.5.P3 |
Pediatricians |
WZ 112 |
| WZ 112.5.R2 |
Radiologists |
WZ 112 |
The following is a list of class numbers deleted from the 2002 edition of the NLM Classification.
| Deleted Number |
Class Name |
Now Classed In |
| QV 767 |
Herbs |
QV 766 |
| W 94 |
Government services |
Not applicable |
| WM 145.5.S9 |
Szondi test |
WM 145.5.P8 |
| WQ 435 |
Embryotomy |
WQ 440 |
To learn more about the NLM Classification see the Fact Sheet.
By Christa F.B. Hoffmann
Cataloging Section, Technical Services Division
Hoffmann CF. NLM Classification 2002 Edition Now Available. NLM Tech Bull. 2002 Sep-Oct;(328):e5.
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