As any new field in medicine develops, an the history of transplantation and the current accompanying documentation occurs in a rea­ status of hemodialysis as it relates to trans­ sonable and logical sequence. Early in the de­ plantation. In addition, the areas of tissue his to­ velopmental life of clinical transplantation, compatability typing, patient evaluation, the many research articles and case reports were transplant operation, immunosuppressive drugs, presented in the literature, and shortly there­ and follow-up investigations are well and clearly after, a series of textbooks were published. documented, as are the medical complications These textbooks dealt primarily with the per­ and the psychiatric and social problems en­ sonal experiences of clinicians working in the countered in kidney transplantation. major centers, who were embarking in the new Although Dr. Chatterjee draws primarily on field, as were Dr. Starzl, Dr. CaIne, Dr. Sim­ his own experiences, he fairly presents all the mons, and myself. This field of investigation has issues in areas in which there is controversy or now become an accepted clinical discipline, and differences of opinion. Most major university thus it is highly desirable that a manual should medical centers now have a clinical renal trans­ be available for the residents and house staff plantation service, and I feel that this manual who will receive training in this important area. will be an invaluable tool for their house staff In this manual, Dr. Satya N. Chatterjee pre­ and students alike.