This is a fascinating short text which helps paediatric gastroenterologists to fully understand the development and future direction of their specialty by placing current clinical practice in its historical perspective. An opening chapter by Sir David Innes Williams analyses the factors which influence the development of paediatric specialties in general. Subsequent chapters by experts of international renown focus on key disorders and the major developments which helped to define paediatric gastroenterology as a specialty in its own right. a [ Concise and very readable - will appeal to all with an interest in medical history a [ Specific chapters on all major disorders written by an appropriate expert a [ Full references accompany each chapter