In recent years the field of contact dermatitis has increased greatly in importance in dermatology. The variety of exogenous, environmental ly caused dermatoses has undoubtedly expanded over the past few de cades with the increasing number of potentially toxic chemicals, the changes in lifestyle, and the greater life expectancy in industrialized societies. The value of international cooperation in this field has long been realized and acted upon by the International Contact Dermatitis Re search Group (ICDRG). By 1975 the international journal Contact Dermatitis had been founded under the editorship of C. D. Calnan. Thanks largely to the ICDRG and Contact Dermatitis, there were, by 1986, enough additional dermatologists and scientists with a special interest in this area to form the European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group (EECDRG). Within 2 years they had in stituted the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) as an in ternational forum for researchers in the field. The EECDRG decided to hold a symposium in Heidelberg in May 1988, an initiative supported by the ICDRG, and on this occasion the new ESCD held its inaugural session. The Society already has over 200 members and most national contact dermatitis research groups in Europe are already represented; new members are of course welcome. Subgroups and working committees have been formed to address var ious topics including the standardization of patch testing, photoder matology, and bioengineering."

Aromas are an integral part of our civilised society. They are not only used in fine perfumes, but also in numerous other articles with which we have daily contact. Another new development has been the agricultural use of aromas as a "biological weapon" to combat insects and other pests. In the field of dermatology, aromas are today among the most frequent sensitizers and may trigger allergic contact eczemas. This volume presents numerous aspects of the topic for the first time in comprehensive form. In an introduction, the chemistry of frequently used aroma components is described, together with the art of perfume composition that has been refined over the centuries. In a chapter on neuropharmacology, the mechanisms of scent recognition are described in detail.

More than 10 years ago, I had the chance to visit the university hospital in Munster, Germany. At the outpatient clinic there, I accidently met a young dermatologist who was devoted to the study of the quantification of irritated skin during his busy daily clinical work. I sensed immediately that this Dr. P. Frosch was conducting his research with the ideals and enthusiasm which were so familiar to me. Soon we found that we shared a similar past experience; we both had begun our careers in dermatological investigation with the same mentor. For me it was more than 25 years ago that I first met Dr. Kligman, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA. I reminisced that I had been greatly shocked by his initial question ''As a dermatologist, do you want to study living or dead skin?" because, at that time and even today, whenever we cannot collect enough information about the skin with the naked eye, it is invasively removed is common practice to histologically examine a skin sample that from living tissue. Many dermatologists still would never think of studying the living intact skin itself noninvasively with the aid of existing advanced technologies to assess its structural and functional properties. At that time Dr. Kligman intended to build up a system of evaluating the skin from various aspects, using methods that had been unduly neglected in the past and introducing various technological instruments.

The Dictionary of Contact Allergens is a helpful guide for the reader to familiarize with the structures of chemicals implicated in contact dermatitis. Each molecule is described with its principal name for classification. The most important synonyms, the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number that characterizes the substance and its chemical structure and relevant literature references are also listed. Further, the reader will find a unique chapter on Patch Testing with the patient's own products. This guide is a 'must-have' for each physician involved with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with contact dermatitis and allergic skin disease.