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Oxford University Press makes no representation, express or implied, that the drug dosages in this book are correct. Readers must therefore always check the product information and clinical procedures with the most up to date published product information and data sheets provided by the manufacturers and the most recent codes of conduct and safety regulations. The authors and the publishers do not accept responsibility or legal liability for any errors in the text or for the misuse or misapplication of material in this work. Except where otherwise stated, drug dosages and recommendations are for the non-pregnant adult who is not breastfeeding.

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date: 16 May 2022

We use models intentionally to simplify complex situations in an attempt to grasp them more clearly and respond more appropriately. Sometimes modelling simplifies by choosing out of many possibilities to focus on one dimension or one set of priorities alone. Sometimes complementary models are used (in physics the wave-particle duality is the classic example) to highlight the utilitarian aspect of using models. A ‘horses for courses’ approach is taken; we choose the model that best fits the questions we wish to ask and the answers we wish to obtain.

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