The World Congress of Dermatology (Congressus Mundi Dermatologiae, CMD) is held every 5 years. The purpose of this meeting is to review and summarize the present status of scientific knowledge in clinical dermatology and to in related basic research, to discuss recent results and ideas among colleagues and to contribute to the develop ment of new clinical and scientific research programmes for the future. It is evident that the Proceedings of such a meeting, where major dermatological work from five continents is presented, should be reviewed carefully and published as soon as possi ble. This volume includes the reports of several hundreds of speakers from all over the world as presented during the congress or delivered 6 weeks later. The moving forces behind all this were the International League of Dermatology (ILDS) with its presi dent, Jean Civatte, its general secretary, Nils Thyresson, the members of the Executive Committee (ICD) and the German Organizing Committee with its subcommittee for the scientific programme. In addition, the chairmen of sessions, coordinators, speakers and discussants all contributed to make the 17th CMD in Berlin a full suc cess.

The World Congress of Dermatology (Congressus Mundi Dermatologiae, CMD) is held every 5 years. The purpose of this meeting is to review and summarize the present status of scientific knowledge in clinical dermatology and to in related basic research, to discuss recent results and ideas among colleagues and to contribute to the develop ment of new clinical and scientific research programmes for the future. It is evident that the Proceedings of such a meeting, where major dermatological work from five continents is presented, should be reviewed carefully and published as soon as possi ble. This volume includes the reports of several hundreds of speakers from all over the world as presented during the congress or delivered 6 weeks later. The moving forces behind all this were the International League of Dermatology (ILDS) with its presi dent, Jean Civatte, its general secretary, Nils Thyresson, the members of the Executive Committee (ICD) and the German Organizing Committee with its subcommittee for the scientific programme. In addition, the chairmen of sessions, coordinators, speakers and discussants all contributed to make the 17th CMD in Berlin a full suc cess.

This new edition brings together five leading authorities in nail surgery in this well established and definitive textbook. The entire text is extended in this edition, and particular emphasis is placed on the advances in treatments that have taken place in recent years. Considerable strides have been made in the treatment of fungal diseases (onychomycoses) with the appearance of new therapeutic agents. There is also much greater coverage of nail surgery to reflect the increasing involvement of the dermatologist in this field. The section on nail tumours has also been expanded. Drs Baran and Dawber have been joined by David de Berker, Eckhart Haneke and Antonella Tosti on the editorial team. This move is representative of the major European contribution to the field of nail surgery in recent years. Significant contribution has come from Dr Elvin Zook, the eminent American hand surgeon, who has helped to ensure that the book is as relevant in North America as it is in Europe.

Books on dermatology are either focused for medical s- dents or for students of dermatology. A general practitioner sees a lot of skin patients; about 17% of their patients are related to skin disease. We therefore decided to write a book that should meet the needs of a general practitioner. To make the book helpful for the primary care physician, we have focused more on common skin problems and have discussed the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders in depth to help the general practitioner in diagnosing and treating them. The chapter on the management of skin d- eases also gives the details of topical, systemic, and the phy- cal modalities used in treating skin disease. Uncommon skin diseases are only mentioned where required. The chapter on cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases will help the general practitioner to correlate the cutaneous signs of the common medical problems seen by them. Emphasis is laid on the bacterial, fungal, and parasitic disorders that are pre- lent in tropical countries. We have included the common d- eases of other continents, as the general practitioner especially of developed countries has patients from all over the world. Congenital and hereditary disorders are discussed with the corresponding chapters, which makes it easier for the reader to remember. A number of practical points are included with each subject, and history of dermatology is included where appropriate to make the subject interesting to read.

Written by leading teledermatologists and telemedicine experts, this hands-on guide addresses the practical needs of the many emerging teledermatology services worldwide. It covers the medical and technical prerequisites for such services as well as the photographic imaging essentials. It also illustrates the performance of teledermatology by means of clinical examples, discusses teledermatology in underdeveloped countries, and presents specialized methods of teledermatology. The impact of telemedicine on the doctor-patient relationship is explored, and the advantages that accrue from improving access to expert knowledge are explained. In addition, quality assurance, legal assumptions, economic aspects, and the future horizons of such health care services are all considered. A comprehensive appendix provides information on training opportunities, sample protocols, consent forms, information sheets, references, and relevant web links.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.