The general practitioner is often the front line doctor when life-threatening medical emergencies occur. Prompt decisions and actions are needed, often in unfavourable circumstances. This pocket-sized reference book is intended for the general practitioner in such a situation. There are separate sections on each of the conditions requiring emergency treatment that practitioners are likely to encounter. Symptoms, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, on-the-spot treatment, whether and how urgently the patient should be referred to hospital, as well as the general practitioner's role in subsequent long-term treatment, are all discussed. Alternate pages of the book are blank for the user's own notes. The book should also be a useful source of information for trainee general practitioners, medical students and teachers of general practice.