Introduction PART 1 —— RECOGNITION 1 Molecules of Distinction Similarity and Dissimilarity Distinctive Markers Distinguishing People Identifying the Enemy 2 Distinctive Families The Family Tree Family Estates The T Cell Family The B Cell Family Other Families of Immune Cells The Family Retinue Population Explosions 3 Patterns of Life Life Begins The New World First Challenges Adjusting to Life The Later Stages of Life Travelling the World PART 2 —— REACTION 4 Repelling Invaders Major Defences Ports of Entry Breaching the Defences Subversive Agents 5 The Fight Begins General Defence Policy and the Enemy Sentry Duty The Alarm Call The Weapons of War The Battle Field 6 The Main Campaigns Mobilising the Troops Primitive Prions Virile Viruses Battling Bacteria Particular Parasites The Critical Battle PART 3—— RECOVERY 7 Life after Death Dying to Live Fiery Fevers Soothing Sleep Repairing the Damage Lasting Relationships 8 Survival of the Fittest A Sotmd Constitution A Fit Body The Stimulation of Stress Inherited Health 9 Struggle for Survival Cancers and Their Incidence Normal and Abnormal Cell Cycles Carcinogens and Chemicals The Immune System and Cancer Autoimmunity, Antibodies and Altered Self 10 The New Millennium The Appearance of New Diseases The Disappearance of Old Diseases Perennial Problems Vaccines in the Future Manipulating the Immune System Assisting the Fight against AIDS Attacking Autoimmnnities Caring for Cancer Sufferers Final Thoughts Glossary Index