Backing up the pioneering medical researchers and experi menters are the phalanxes and cohorts of practising clinicians in district general hospitals and in general practice who may have to implement and apply any breakthroughs and advances in practical and realistic terms. This they cannot, and should not, be expected to do without careful consideration and analysis. It is essential, therefore, to have regular reviews of the growing points of medicine which are constructively critical as well as being enthusiastic and which can present the issues and implications clearly and fairly to...

Part one of the book presents the gastrointestinal problems that commonly face the general practitioner. Emphasis is placed on analysis of clinical data and how this may provoke the most profitable lines of investigation. Many of the investigation and treatment protocols are within the scope of general practice, but hospital management is also included. It was possible to deal with common oesophageal diseases under the heading of oeso- phageal problems in Part 1. In contrast, it proved impossible to discuss adequately all of the common diseases affecting other organs of the digestive system...

DDDDDDDDDDDDD Effective management logically follows accurate diagnosis. Such logic often is difficult to apply in practice. Absolute diagnostic accuracy may not be possible, particularly in the field of primary care, when management has to be on analysis of symptoms and on knowledge of the individual patient and family. This series follows that on Problems in Practice which was concerned more with diagnosis in the widest sense and this series deals more definitively with general care and specific treatment of symptoms and diseases. Good management must include knowledge of the nature, course...