In the first 18 years of life we change more than at any other stage in life. Infants and children can be assaulted by a bewildering variety of illnesses. This book attempts to explain the basics of paediatric practice and the rationale for medical decisions from the neonatal period to adulthood. The neonatal section follows the progress of infants from birth to discharge into community care,while the general paediatric section explores the relationships between primary, or general practice, secondary, or general hospital, and tertiary or specialised hospital, care. The book then describes the various organ systems. Dr Rose uses examples taken from his own practice to illustrate the difficulties of paediatric practice and the pitfalls which bring in the medico-legal aspect.