This is a Festschrift to Professor Sir Stanley Peart, Professor of Medicine at St. Mary's Hospital and Medical School, University of London since 1956, who has influenced and directed many of us in the better understanding of the patho­ physiological basis and the clinical practice of hypertension. It commemorates, and we hope will preserve, memories of a special occasion when we met to honour him at the Castella de Pomeiro, Como, Italy. At this meeting his "extended family" (pictured above) shared experiences, discussed current scientific and clinical ap­ proaches in hypertension research and indulged in reminiscences of their exciting times on his Unit at St. Mary's. We particularly hope that this volume will illustrate the multifaceted approach needed in investigating and managing hypertension and that it will additionally remind Sir Stanley of the admiration and warm affection with which he has been, and will always continue to be regarded. Christopher J. Mathias Peter S. Sever Introduction P. S. Sever Welcome to Castello de Pomerio, for what I feel sure is to be a very special occasion. As all of you know, Stan Peart is retiring after 31 years as professor and head of the department of Medicine at St. Mary's, and after nearly 40 years of distinguished research in basic and clinical science related to the cardiovascular system, the kidney and particularly to hypertension.