This book has been written to provide general practitioners with an easy to read, easy to consult guide, to aid in the management of the large majority of practice emer gencies. Each presenting problem is approached logically with telephone assessment and advice followed by the assessment and management necessary when the patient is seen. The emphasis is on practical primary care with discussion of differential diagnosis only taken as far as is needed for deciding the best immediate course of action. Words are kept to a minimum though tables are liberally used to summarise useful information. For each situation the final management advice is highlighted by being presented within a heavily lined box. Our guiding principles for emergency care, which this book naturally reflects, are: (1) Visit first - argue or educate later. (2) If in doubt - see the patient. To use this book for ready reference by the telephone, in the car, or at the bedside: (i) If the patient is a child, look at the contents list at the beginning of chapter 4 and then turn to the relevant pages. (ii) If the patient is an adult, first decide the system involved then look at the contents list at the beginning of the appropriate chapter before turning to the relevant pages."

The original Beecham Manual for General Practice was produced by Dr Selwyn Carson, of Christchurch, New Zealand, whose objective was a set of instructions for patient care for his practice team. Beecham Research Laboratories published and distributed it. Dr Ed Gawthorn of Melbourne, Australia, edited an Australian version again published and distributed by Beecham Research Laboratories. We were invited to adapt the New Zealand and Australian editions for British readers -but we decided that we should produce an entirely new Manual. This was done and it was published and distributed to general practitioners by Beecham Research Laboratories. This latest edition has been revised and updated. The Manual is a ready reference on planned care of certain age groups and situations; specific procedures and emergencies; and clinical care in general practice of important conditions. We have intentionally adopted a concise didactic style that should be helpful for trainers, trainees and members of the practice team. We thank Beecham Research Laboratories, and especially Ed Stanford and Bill Burns, for their support and help over many years. John Fry (Editor) June 1982 viii Section A PLANNED CARE Family Planning A1 Discuss with the individual patient the advantages and disadvantages of all the methods. Keep in mind individual needs, wishes and religious beliefs. In Great Britain * 2.5 million women are registered with their G.P.'s for contraception. -100 per G.P. * 95% of G.P.'s provide contraceptive services.

This is a comprehensive textbook for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students in physics or astrophysics, developing both the formalism and the physical ideas of special and general relativity in a logical and coherent way. The book is in two parts. Part one focuses on the special theory and begins with the study of relativistic kinematics from three points of view: the physical (the classic gedanken experiments), the algebraic (the Lorentz transformations), and the graphic (the Minkowski diagrams). Part one concludes with chapters on relativistic dynamics and electrodynamics. Part two begins with a chapter introducing differential geometry to set the mathematical background for general relativity. The physical basis for the theory is begun in the chapter on uniform accelerations. Subsequent chapters cover rotation, the electromagnetic field, and material media. A second chapter on differential geometry provides the background for Einstein's gravitational-field equation and Schwarzschild's solution. The physical significance of this solution is examined together with the challenges to the theory that have been successfully met inside the solar system. Other applications follow in the final chapters on astronomy and cosmology: These include black holes, quasars, and gravity waves as well as the relativistic features of an expanding universe ¿ including a section on the inflationary model.

JOHN JOHN FRY FRY All All examinations examinations create create problems problems and and stresses stresses in in examinees. examinees. The The examination examination for for the the Membership Membership of of the the Royal Royal College College of of General General Practitioners Practitioners is is no no exception. exception. Although Although the the examiners examiners state state that that their their objectives objectives are are to to pass pass candidates candidates wherever wherever and and whenever whenever possible, possible, nevertheless nevertheless the the failure failure rate rate remains remains con sistently sistently at at 30% 30% plus plus of of those those taking taking the the examination. examination. The The reasons reasons for for failure failure fall fall into into a a number number of of groups. groups. The The candidate candidate may, may, through through over-confidence, over-confidence, not not have have prepared prepared for for the the examination. examination. He He may may have have assumed assumed that that it it is is not not necessary necessary to to read, read, learn learn and and digest digest data, data, facts facts and and experience experience on on general general practice. practice. How How wrong wrong that that is, is, he he will will discover discover when when he he sits sits the the exam. exam."

Although we have no good definition of 'health', all people have their own ideas of whether they are healthy or not. Based on personal experience and knowledge each person comes to accept that within themselves there is a normal range of feelings and performance, departure from which could be considered abnormal or unhealthy. Despite the many amazing technological advances made over recent decades it cannot be said that access to advanced medical care is the main determining factor in the healthiness or otherwise of a society. Even in these modern times most diseases and health problems are non-curable in the strict sense, and the scope for effective prevention of disease is more limited than some enthusiasts suggest. Individuals must appreciate the limitations of modern medical care and, while seeking to use the care available to best possible effect, accept that the responsibility for trying to prevent major disease rests in their own hands. In this book we have tried to present a balanced and realistic picture of the many factors that must be taken into account if optimum disease prevention and health maintenance are to be achieved. The health of your family is your responsibility. An understanding of what can go wrong, how it can be prevented or how it can best be coped with can only be helpful to you.