For many reasons, as President of the International Society of Nephrology, I am happy and honored to write a brief introduction to Nephrology, the Proceedings of the IXth International Congress of Nephrology. One of these reasons is specially treasured: I edited the two books published after our first Congress (Geneva-Evian 1960). The 1984 vintage will certainly be as good as the preceding ones. And, for any nephrologist, whatever his or her field of interest, many observations will be found in the Proceedings that will enhance their personal work. It is characteristic for our Congresses to...