Book excerpt: Burns are one of the most devastating conditions encountered in medicine. The injuries affect people of all ages, both physically and psychologically, in the developed and the developing world. The correct management of burns needs a skilled multidisciplinary approach and this ABC provides an overview of the most important aspects of burn injuries for healthcare professionals. This ABC book offers a comprehensive yet accessible review of burn management. It introduces the range of burns that a GP may become involved in treating or having treated at hospital. From explanations of how burns happen, through to first aid applications, pre-hospital treatment, dressings, resuscitation and the management of deep dermal burns. It also looks at the subsequent management of burns through hyperalimentation and microbiological management, reconstruction and rehabilitation. A significant contribution to an important area of care: burns are the second most common cause of accidental death in children in the UK. Early treatment of burns is essential to avoid disablement: impact on lungs, infection and later need for plastic surgery can all be reduced by appropriate assessment and prompt treatment. Includes contributions from the UK, USA and Australia, and has a chaper on international disasters. Presented in a clear and concise manner with many illustrations, this book will appeal to a wide readership including medical students, nurses, hospital doctors, and general practitioners.