This 1986 volume of the Handbook of Psychiatry covers that area of psychiatry contiguous with general medicine, and in particular neurology. It raises general issues especially with respect to fundamental problems of the mind–body relationship, and deals with medical disorders related to psychiatry. The topics discussed include ischaemic heart disease, peptic ulcers, bronchial asthma, renal failure, endocrine disorders and ageing as well as neuropsychiatry. There is also an account of selected aspects of severe subnormality, concentrating on the practical management of the severely handicapped child and adult. Throughout this volume the contributors provide a clinically relevant account of their topics. The volume will continue to hold value as a comprehensive survey of the medical history of mental disorders associated with somatic illness.