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.