The Archives of Dermatology publishes information concerning the skin, its diseases, and their treatment. Its mission is to explicate the structure and function of the skin and its diseases and the art of using this information to deliver optimal medical and surgical care to the patient. We attempt to enhance the understanding of cutaneous pathophysiology and improve the clinician''s ability to diagnose and treat skin disorders. This journal has a particular interest in publishing clinical and laboratory studies that reveal new information pertinent to the interests and needs of the medical dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon, and all those concerned with state-of-the-art care of cutaneous disease. We believe that knowledge derived from well-designed clinical trials and studies of cost-effectiveness are especially important for improving the practice of dermatology. Studies that increase the understanding of the outcome of treatment or the means by which the burden of dermatologic disease can be measured and reduced to promote the health of patients with skin disease will receive special priority. The ARCHIVES regularly publishes reports on clinical investigations, editorials, and reviews. It also features reports and discussions on clinicopathologic correlations; clinical disorders of unique didactic value; pharmacologic, medical and surgical therapeutics; and ethical, moral, socioeconomic, and political issues.