The general examination (or the physical examination) forms an important part in the process of examining a patient. The general examination is also called “Tip to Toe” examination. The serious mistakes which most students commit is that after taking the history of the case, they directly switch over to the system which appears to be affected or over to the complaints which the patient narrates them about. General examination should always precede the systemic examination. In severely ill patients it may be necessary to postpone a routine examination and to perform only the examination required for provisional diagnosis and treatment. Very ill patients must obviously be treated with special care and attention. The examination should be carried out in a stepwise manner. The best approach is –“The system affected is the last to be attended”. A good clinician starts the examination of his patient as soon as he meets him and carriers it only as history taking proceeds further. It has been rightly said. “The experienced and talented doctor begins the examination on meeting the patient and continues taking the history until the consultation ends.” The general examination is performed in the following manner: - First of all, the general examination includes the recording of certain vitals. The assessment of the general condition of the patient starts as won as the doctor meets the patient. There are many conditions which be diagnosed at the first sight. It is called “Spot Diagnosis”. Condition like gross obesity, increased arterial pulsations in the neck as in aortic incompetence, blue sclera in osteogenesis imperfecta can be very easily diagnosed by just looking at the patient.