In observing the development of modern scientific knowledge, many indivi- duals have expressed concern over the rapid growth of information in various specialized disciplines. Over 100 years ago the first Secretary of the Smith- sonian Institution, and more recently Dr. Vannevar Bush while proposing the modern expansion of the National Institutes of Health, both noted prob- lems that prevented the proper utilization of information by individuals in medical and related scientific fields. These observations, tagether with con- comitant implications of future difficulty, are particularly...

When I delivered the keynote address at our joint 1977 symposium on Cancer, Stress, and Death in Montreal, I took great pride in announcing my unique qualification for this singular honor-I had survived a normally fatal cancer, a histiocytic reticulosarcoma that had developed under the skin of my thigh several years pre- viously. Faced with the physical and emotional realities of this situa- tion, I refused to retreat from life in desperation. I immediately underwent surgery and cobalt therapy, but insisted on knowing my chances for a lasting recovery, which at that time seemed far from...