This second International Symposium on Mucus in Health and Disease once again brings together basic scientists such as Biochemists, Anatomists, Biologists and Clinicians who are dealing with aspects of mucus in the various tracts of the body where it is of such great functional importance. It is fitting that the meeting should take place at Manchester University where there is so much activity in this field and our grateful thanks are due to Or Eric Chantler for his untiring efforts in organising this meeting. At the first Mucus meeting, Sir Francis Avery Jones stated "this is a subject which...