Our insight into the mechanisms of the physiology of reproduction has experienced a swift and constant development these last few years. The advent of more sophisticated diagnostic methods and their relatively easy clinical application allow for the incorporation of that knowledge into the evaluation of the infertile couple. These facts, together with an obvious change in social psychology, have facilitated the development of different specialities dealing with the problems of infertility. It is now possible in medical centers all around the world to undertake a better disposition of the infertile husband to look for advice, to be studied, and treated. Confronted with this situation we are still unable to offer specific therapy in most cases; however, empirically based therapy abounds. Advances in therapy have not kept pace with our increased physio logical knowledge and improved diagnostic techniques. Patho physiological mechanisms and etiological factors in male infertility are largely unknown. This has significantly hampered both clinical evaluation and advances in treatment allowing for frequent non scientific therapeutic incursions into the armamentarium of the an drologist. Several factors have given birth to therapeutic "fashions," which are bound to survive as long as this state of lack of knowledge con tinues. For example, we may ask whether the treatment of varicocele constitutes a fashion? Though we accept the treatment of varicocele as the best available treatment of male infertility, we do not know its mechanism of action and so we cannot predict a therapeutic result."

Andrology for the Clinician consists of two parts: In Part One, the busy clinician can easily find the problem-orientated information he or she needs on such issues as male factor fertility problems, male contraception, and male genital tract infection and tumours. Part Two contains in-depth subject-orientated information and adds important scientific background information to the recommendations received in Part One. Several leading experts have contributed to this work, which has been extensively subedited by world-renowned editors to ensure a well-structured didactic design and homogeneous content. This outstanding book is of great value for all Urologists, Andrologists, Dermatologists, Endocrinologists, Gynaecologists, Reproductive Biologists, GPs, Gerontologists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Paediatricians and anyone else interested in the problems of male sex and constitution.

Seit dem ersten Fortbildungskurs fur praktische Dermatologie und Venerologie in Munchen im Jahre 1951, initiiert und durchgefuhrt von Alfred Marchionini, sind 35 Jahre ins Land gegangen. Die Fortbildungsveranstaltungen unserer Klinik haben sich zu einem festen Bestandteil der Fortbildungsaktivitaten in unserem Fachgebiet fur deutschsprachige Dermatologen entwickelt. Nach dreijahrigem Abstand konnte 1986 die XI. Fortbildungswoche fur prakti- sche Dermatologie und Venerologie durch die Dermatologische Klinik und Polikli- nik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat wiederum realisiert werden. Auch dieses Mal war das Interesse von Hautarzten aus dem In- und Ausland gross; uber 900 Teilnehmer kamen aus uber 20 Landern, um an der Veranstaltung teilzunehmen. So hat sich, um die Worte von Frau Professor S. Jablonska/Warschau zu gebrauchen, unsere Fortbildungswoche zu einer europaischen Akademie fur Dermatologie entwickelt. Auch dieses Mal wurde versucht, ein zeitgemasses und praxisnahes Programm zusammenzustellen, um Fortbildung auf hohem Niveau zu bieten, damit der Der-' matologe in Klinik und Praxis mit den rasch fortschreitenden Erkenntnissen in der Dermatologie und Venerologie auf dem neu esten Stand bleiben kann und dadurch seinen taglichen Anforderungen moeglichst gut gerecht wird. Die Kongressstruktur hatte sich gegenuber der letzten Tagung nicht verandert.