Written in association with The Royal College of General Practitioners, this comprehensive encyclopedia should help diagnose all common ailments from the common cold to chronic fatigue syndrome. Each chapter provides a detailed explanation of the body's complex systems and the illnesses that can affect them. Children's health is also covered, as is caring for the sick and elderly. Practical self-help treatment, conventional and complementary, is given where applicable. Anatomical systems are grouped together for ease of reference, for example the respiratory system, the urinary tract and the digestive system. The text is illustrated with clear illustrations, charts and photographs.