At a Glance

VIIFrom the Preface to the Third EditionThe first German edition of this book was alreadyin press when, on November 2nd, 1979,Agamennon Despopoulos and his wife, SarahJones-Despopoulos put to sea from Bizerta, Tunisia.Their intention was to cross the Atlanticin their sailing boat. This was the last that wasever heard of them and we have had to abandonall hope of seeing them again.Without the creative enthusiasm of AgamennonDespopoulos, it is doubtful whetherthis book would have been possible; withouthis personal support it has not been easy tocontinue with the project. Whilst keeping inmind our original aims, I have completely revisedthe book, incorporating the latest advancesin the field of physiology as well as the welcomesuggestions provided by readers of theearlier edition, to whom I extend my thanks fortheir active interest.Würzburg, Fall 1985Stefan SilbernaglDr. Agamemnon DespopoulosBorn 1924 in New York; Professor of Physiology at theUniversity of New Mexico. Albuquerque, USA, until 1971;thereafter scientific adviser to CIBA-GEIGY, Basel.