  This review addresses what can be learned from infrared observations about
galaxies powered predominantly by star formation. Infrared techniques mostly
probe the interstellar medium of galaxies, yielding physical and chemical
information on the medium out of which stars form, which is in turn affected by
those stars. Methods traditionally used in the study of such normal galaxies at
wavelengths longer than 3 microns are described, and major questions currently
pursued in the field are outlined. The most prominent results from the IRAS
survey are reviewed. Contributions by ISO in the field of broad-band photometry
are then presented, followed by ISO results in spectrospcopy. Normal galaxy
studies not directly concerned with the ISM are quickly reviewed. The outlook
and challenges in pursuing the interpretation of infrared data on the ISM are
discussed.
