1. Introduction.- 2. Metabolism of endogenous purines.- 3. Tissue specificity of purine metabolism.- 4. Purine absorption and excretion.- 5. Extracellular activities - purine receptors and pharmacology.- 6. The nervous system - cellular aspects.- 7. The central nervous system - behaviour.- 8. The cardiovascular system.- 9. Purines and the control of renal function.- 10. Respiratory, gastrointestinal and other systems.- 11. Clinical consequences of aberrant purine metabolism.- References.- Index of subjects.

Many groups of biologically important compounds experience cycles of furious research activity and near oblivion. The purines however seem not to be falling into such a pattern. Interest seems to be continuing almost exponentially with no sign of diminution. The result is a frighteningly extensive literature and an increas ing demand for international conferences and symposia. Unfortunately meetings such as these also spawn increasingly voluminous proceedings and it becomes more and more difficult for a newcomer to the area, or a non specialist, to obtain the general introductory survey he needs. This volume therefore is not intended to be comprehensive - far from it. We have tried to be selective in the material presented and the references quoted. They should provide a quick guide and access to key works in the literature which can be expanded by library or computerised searching. We hope that our efforts will widen the appreciation of purines as biologically important substances and will herald the day when more purine related drugs than the handful currently available are used for the selective treatment of disease. We are grateful to the many authors and publishers who have given permission to reproduce figures or quote unpublished results, and to Anne Stone for her patient typing of the manuscript."

The year is 1919 and after suffering the horrors of warfare Kaff finally returns home still haunted by the death of his friend, Finn. After four years in the trenches the freedom of the open road now calls him and he sets off to find work. He eventually arrives at the village of Crofton Devrille where he secures temporary employment at the nearby manor house. Along with meeting new friends Kaff finds romance but things become complicated when the squire turns out to be the one man he hates with a vengeance. To make things worse, the discovery of a body puts the staff into a state of panic. Is there a murderer amongst them?