Several excellent books have been published in the last few years emphasizing specific aspects of cardiology and detailing recent contributions to our knowledge of cardiovascular physiology and developments in diagnostic techniques and methods of treatment. The title of this book suggests that it might fall into this category. However, it is not restricted in this sense. The authors have taken a more general approach, and with a few exceptions this book is a broad survey of the field of cardiovascular disease, written more in the style of a text book than as a collection of monographs or as a reference work. The following subjects are included: congenital defects, infectious and inflammatory diseases, coronary artery disease, pulmonary heart disease, noncoronary myopathies, hypertension, cardiovascular function in thyroid disease and in anemia, arrhythmias, and heart failure. The authors have attempted to discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, and treatment of most of the