Demographic, clinical and physical information was obtained from 200 volunteers who had Parkinson's disease (PD). The clinical history revealed minimal social and psychological impairment. Physical difficulties such as mobility and restless legs were reported as the most troublesome symptoms of PD. A disease severity score was calculated by the addition of the ratings from the physical examination to a scaled score obtained from afoot tapping exercise. Over half of the sample had disease severity scores which were less than or equal to the mean of the entire sample. Functional disability was measured by the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the highest dysfunction scores were in the areas of recreation and pastimes, alertness behaviour, communication and home management. Functional disability was significantly positively correlated with age and duration of illness.