The first edition of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine was highly acclaimed and became the definitive text in the area. The new edition has been substantially augmented, revised and improved. New chapters include: provision of palliative care; economics of palliative care; clinicaland organisational audit; measurement of pain and other symptoms; principles of drug use in palliative medicine; interventional radiology; asthenia; pruritus and sweating; cultural issues in sub-Saharan Africa, Chinese, Japanese and indigenous Australian populations; development of paediatricpalliative care; ethical issues in paediatric palliative care; AIDS in children, and multiprofessional education. In addition to these very substantial additions, a number of chapters have been completely or essentially re-written including : ethics; domiciliary palliative care; medical education;nursing education; neurological aspects of palliative medicine; nausea and vomiting; physiotherapy; neurosurgery in palliative care, and opioid analgesic therapy. There are European and North American authorit ative contributions from over 100 internationally renowned experts, many new for thisedition. The Textbook's wide- ranging approach tackles every aspect of palliative care - physical, emotional, social and spiritual; from research to practice, and deals with palliative medicine for all conditions, not just malignancy. General introductory chapters consider the challengespresented by palliative medicine and discuss the historical development and future of the specialty, cultural aspects of dying, models of care provision, and aspects of communication with patients. Later sections examine the scientific principles underlying the subject, and offer a thorough reviewof the current status of research in the field. Comprehensive and up-to-date guidance is given on the management of pain and other symptoms in advanced disease. As well as emphasizing the emotional, social, and psychological needs of the dying, the book considers the needs of the family anddiscusses bereavement, support, the involvement of relatives, and the issue of domiciliary care. Other chapters cover ethical aspects of care, rehabilitation, and the education and training of health professionals. Although based on research and practice in the developed world, the growingrelevance of palliative care in the developing world is stressed throughout.