The first 4 chapters of Dr. Wilkins' book are devoted to a general discussion of the endocrine and also the nonendocrine factors influencing growth and development. They present in addition a description of the specialized clinical and laboratory methods used in diagnosis of endocrine disorders. With this background most of the major endocrinopathies are considered in the succeeding chapters. Here the grouping of diseases is made sometimes on the basis of the endocrine system primarily involved, at other times according to an outstanding symptom such as dwarfism or sexual infantilism.