title: Take aim and fire: laboratory investigations and the family physician.
abstract: This article discusses the attitude of the family physician to laboratory investigation and puts forward a plea for the rational, economical, directed use of such investigations - the rifle bullet as opposed to the scatter-gun technique. As well as outlining the principles, their application to each section of the clinical laboratory is described in some depth. A request for laboratory investigation is a request for consultation and the full value of investigation cannot be achieved without such consultation.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Emson