Why anDther series .on infectiDus disease? The questiDn is a fair .one in view .of the proliferatiDn .of mDnDgraphs, texts, and periDdicals .on the vast subject .of infectiDus disease. The gDal .of this series is tD provide an additiDnal service tD the clinician in the fDrm .of clinical infDrmatiDn nDt usually assembled in .one convenient vDlume. One type .of mDnDgraph presented in this series will CDver a specific infecti.on, detailing microbi.ol.ogic research and clinical aspects. It is h.oped that such a cDmpilati.on will be helpful in bDth its thDroughness and breadth tD the clinician interested in this particular problem. The .other type .of mDnDgraph that this series will pr.ovide will discuss a clinical presentati.on that c.omprises many pDssible specific etiDI.ogies. V.olumes in the series will be multiauthDred, giving us the DppDrtunity tD invite auth.orities in each specific area t.o cDntribute their expertise and experience. Regular revisions are planned SD that each v.olume will remain as current as it is thorDugh. We hDpe that .our gDals are met and that the present series .of mDn.o­ graphs establishes its .own identifiable and valuable niche in the growing cDmpendium .of resDurce material available tD the clinician. Contents Series Preface ....................................................... VB Contributors .......................................................... Xl Introduction ......................................................... xv 1. Acute Osteomyelitis FRANCIS A. WALDVOGEL ...................................... .