production of this volume of the Handbook. If this joint enterprise has succeeded it is thanks to their competence, knowledge and application, for the editor's role is merely that of a coordinator. My thanks are also due to Springer-Verlag, the publishers, who gave me every possible assistance in seeing this volume to completion. Dr. D. Maroske was kind enough to prepare the Subject Index. And lastly I should like to voice my indebtedness to the Management of Sandoz Ltd., Basle, which allowed me to devote a not inconsiderable part of my time to the editing of this volume. I am also very grateful to a number of members of the staff of Sandoz Ltd.: to Mr. J.E. Smith, B. Sc., F.1. L., who translated some chapters and revised the language of others and to Miss Hannelore Straube and Miss Sonja Ebner for their valuable secreterial help.