Not a very long book, this latest product in Karger's Current Problems in Dermatology series nonetheless has a diffuse, slightly confusing mission. Is this a book about botulinum toxin, the dermatologic applications of botulinum toxin, or hyperhidrosis? The answer, of course, is yes.

The initial sections explicate the problem of hyperhidrosis. Starting with the anatomy of the sweat gland and pathophysiology of perspiration, these culminate in a thorough description of therapeutics. Traditional pharmacologic and surgical approaches for hyperhidrosis are painstakingly explained before the first mention of botulinum toxin, which occurs at page 77.

The book then abruptly shifts to a focus on botulinum toxin. A fascinating 25-page section on the history of botulinum toxin addresses not only the development of the drug, but also the history of botulism and the role of botulinum toxin in national arsenals. More common subjects, including the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin, dilution and storage, and adverse effects, are then reviewed.