Book excerpt: Clinical Primer of Rheumatology is designed as a concise, essential reference to aid practitioners in diagnosing and treating rheumatoid diseases. More than 200 photographs and many tables and charts provide easy access to information necessary to identify the cause of a patient's complaint and plan a course of therapy. Recommendations on when to refer a patient to a specialist are clearly indicated in the text. Comprehensive coverage of specific rheumatoid diseases is included along with information on sports and occupational-related pain syndromes.