This book acknowledges that clinical dermatology is a visual speciality. The route to diagnostic understanding is a combination of access to photographic material combined with a simple scheme for recognising primary skin lesions. Many diagrams and colour plates have been used to clarify educational points (100 line drawings) and clinical descriptions (200 colour plates). The book contains chapters which cover all the common skin diseases in the context of their underlying pathological processes and the way in which disturbances of the function of the sking produce recognisable physical signs. These are punctuated by short, sometimes witty, learning points. It also includes chapters which set skin disease in perspective (including skin and psyche), describe the structure and function of the skin an review immunology of the skin. At the end of the book there is an important chapter on drug interactions and a comprehensive section of dermatological therapy followed by a formulary. The formulary includes preparations used in both the UK and USA. Drugs are referred to by both approved and trade names.