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INTRODUCTION There is a growing appreciation of the significance of the intervertebral disk in its relationship to spinal disease. When it is remembered that the disks make up a full quarter of the total length of the presacral portion of the spinal column, it is evident that these structures constitute an extensive organ. In point of fact it may be said that the greater majority of conditions resulting in spinal deformity or in derangement of spinal function are primarily the outcome of involvement of the intervertebral disks.For a clear appreciation of the pathologic pictures and notably for the interpretation of pathologic processes and their genesis, a thorough acquaintance with the structure and function of the disks is essential. From decade to decade there are considerable variations in both the anatomic character and the physiologic competence of the disks; hence it is necessary to consider their developmental history. Nonetheless a

The great book of Andreas Vesalius of Brussels, the De humani corporis fabrica, Basle, 1543, uniquely ushered in modern science and medicine. Because of the overwhelming power and significance of this masterpiece there is a tendency to dismiss his other writings as minor and of no significance. The late Charles Singer, in a discussion on the philosophic background of Vesalius, states without equivocation, "Vesalius is a man of one book," and he continues, "One may almost say that he is a book for, despite all that is written on him, his personality is very dim."1 This categorical statement by Singer displays an unwonted degree of myopia in this eminent medical historian. However, if we wish to study either Vesalius or his book, the so-called minor works become of great importance for they disclose with great clarity not only the personality of the author but, even more importantly, the forces

Brain of 8-day-old chick embryos cultivated in vitroin plasma to which sulfonamides in various concentrations were added, responded differently in accordance with the sulfonamide tested. Cultures containing sulfadiazine and succinyl sulfathiazole grew better than the controls in all concentrations tested. The growths in sulfapyrazine and sulfapyridinie equalled those of the controls. The other sulfonamides showed varying degrees of toxicity. Preliminary experiments suggested strongly that the toxicity is to be ascribed to inherent properties of the drugs, not their pH.

Obstruction is a major and grave complication of gastric surgical procedures. Always serious and frequently calamitous, it ranks in importance second only to marginal ulcer and its sequelae. It is difficult to state with what frequency this complication occurs, for in contrast to the early days of surgery, the complication is today passed off as occasional, and few surgeons have recorded and published their figures. That the incidence is more than "occasional" is evidenced by the continuous shift in choice of procedures from one type of operation to another in an endeavor to avoid the grave consequences of its occurrence. Indeed, many surgeons at the moment have reverted to unions of the antecolic type,1 and there is an increasing tendency toward more radical measures, with resection of more or less of the stomach with or without enteroanastomosis. However, all surgeons are compelled at times to resort to gastroenterostomy of