Book excerpt: PART OF THE ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES - What is pain and can we measure it? - What is chronic pain and can we treat it? - Can we make pain pleasant? UNDERSTAND the causes and the reasons for pain. This complex, subjective but vital perception is experienced by the entire animal kingdom. We may not enjoy feeling it, but living without pain would be dangerous - it is our body's way of telling us when something isn't right. YOUR BODY'S BUILT IN ALARM SYSTEM Written by Professor of Anaesthetic Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, Irene Tracey, PAIN is an accessible and fascinating illustrated introduction to one of our body's most important sensory and emotional experiences.