This book will, it is hoped, fill the gap between cur­ rent, smaller texts on dermatology and the standard, large reference books. It should be helpful to those embarking on a career in dermatology and to general practitioners and primary physicians with a special interest in this field. In this book the emphasis is on clinical aspects of skin diseases, and it is assumed that the reader has some knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the skin. The differential diagnosis of each disorder is extensively discussed and sex predilection and age of onset are illustrated diagrammatically. As in other branches of medicine, treatments are now frequently changing and these are fully covered. Aetiological factors in skin disorders are now becoming clearer and separate sections on this subject are discussed for each disease. Prognosis and natural history are not always adequately covered in texts on derma­ tology, so these topics are set out under separate headings. A small number of the illustrations have been loaned from colleagues and institutions, and we gratefully acknowledge this assistance from the following: The Wellcome Museum of Medical Science; Photographic Department, Institute of Dermatology, St John's Hospital; Dr Roger Clayton; Dr W. H. Jopling; and Dr P. Rodin. We are also grateful to the staff of MTP for their assistance in preparing this book.