With the advance of the years and the increase in geometric progression of medical knowledge, it is necessary for the student of medicine to have at his disposal a book that gathers, synthesizes, orders and hierarchizes the information and the fundamental concepts that can then be expanded through the magazines.

Semiology, which is the study of symptoms and signs, is the first step on the road to clinical training. The study of the data (symptoms and signs), its development mechanism, the various forms and circumstances of its manifestation, its causes, the methodology for obtaining it as well as the steps to be followed in its presence, constitute the objective of this work. Updating of terminology, pathophysiology as well as internationally accepted classifications seek this goal.

At no time is it intended to be original, but fundamentally to synthesize modern information added to personal experience in the study of the patient, with the knowledge provided by new advances in technology.

It is intended for the medical student and the general practitioner who will find in these pages the necessary information to build medical thinking.

The work is divided into three volumes. The first describes the most frequent reasons for consultation, updating the anatomical and pathophysiological knowledge. In turn, the questioning and study methodology of each of them is evaluated.

In the second volume, the successive steps of the normal physical examination and the abnormal findings or signs that are without consequence of the disease are described.

The third volume brings together the most frequent syndromes found in medical practice evaluated in their pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and study methodology, as well as a description of the laboratory and the special complementary and diagnostic imaging methods that are currently used.

What is exposed in its chapters includes the findings in different ages, from the child to the elderly, and in both sexes, as in pregnant women.

For the development of these chapters, it was decided to request the collaboration of specialist experts in the various topics, accepting the challenge of combining different styles and experiences with the same objective, the patient. The academic and scientific hierarchy of the collaborators is manifested in each of the chapters. It is very difficult in Argentina today for a group of teachers to dedicate their time to writing. For the effort is purely personal, without special help from any organization or system and no other justification than spiritual gratification.

The desire to develop this effort arose years ago in the days of internship and medical residency when one began to assume responsibility in the management of the patient with his most frequent reasons for consultation and the maneuvers of the physical examination of real utility. It is in these years when the collection of photographs, drawings, diagrams that will serve as the basis for volume II begins

Over the years the programs of different national and foreign universities were evaluated, trying to use the best of each of them and those adaptable to our environment.

The realization of this work is the result of a joint editorial effort, the consequence of a unity based on ties of affection, scientific objectives and related teachers and shared daily experience supported by the efforts of the collaborators.

One cannot fail to mention gentlemen teachers who in one way or another have stimulated us in the desire to be a little better. Those who are no longer here and produce deep sadness, not for them, who already belong to history, but for us, who have lost the opportunity to continue learning: Juan M. González, David Staffieri, Juan José Staffieri, Pablo Borrás, Juan Cortés, Fernando Gaspary, Alberto Morelli, Others who continue to be a permanent source of encouragement such as Osvaldo Robiolo, Proctor W. Harver, Hyman Zimmerman, Richard F. MAnengold, Robert J. Jacobson.

Most of the illustrations, graphics and designs were made by a young courage who knew how to fully interpret the needs of the work, Carlos Piccini.

Without a doubt, our most important supporters were our wives Raquel and Clara who, together with our children, knew how to tolerate our "confinement" to work without ever questioning. But with faith and conviction in what we were doing

Prof. Dr. Alberto J. Muniagurria
Prof. Adj. Dr. Julio Libman

"The final dimension of what a man accomplishes in his life ... does not lie, precisely, in whether or not he has acted as a hero, or whether he has been worthy of being considered a martyr. They are rather his achievements to act as a a coordinating, harmonizing, energizing, stimulating force on the diversity of ambitions that coexist in an organization, which, if allowed to operate freely, would all too often be neutralized by each other when they come into conflict "

Ernest Martin Hopkins