Page 7 - Color_Atlas_of_Physiology_5th_Ed._-_A._Despopoulos_2003

Preface to the First Edition

In the modern world, visual pathways have A book of this nature is inevitably deriva-
outdistanced other avenues for informational tive, but many of the representations are new
input. This book takes advantage of the econo- and, we hope, innovative. A number of people
my of visual representation to indicate the si- have contributed directly and indirectly to the
multaneity and multiplicity of physiological completion of this volume, but none more
phenomena. Although some subjects lend than Sarah Jones, who gave much more than
themselves more readily than others to this editorial assistance. Acknowledgement of
treatment, inclusive rather than selective helpful criticism and advice is due also to Drs.
coverage of the key elements of physiology has R. Greger, A. Ratner, J. Weiss, and S. Wood, and
been attempted. Prof. H. Seller. We are grateful to Joy Wieser for
Clearly, this book of little more than 300 her help in checking the proofs. Wolf-Rüdiger
pages, only half of which are textual, cannot be and Barbara Gay are especially recognized, not
considered as a primary source for the serious only for their art work, but for their conceptual
student of physiology. Nevertheless, it does contributions as well. The publishers, Georg
contain most of the basic principles and facts Thieme Verlag and Deutscher Taschenbuch
taught in a medical school introductory Verlag, contributed valuable assistance based
course. Each unit of text and illustration can on extensive experience; an author could wish
serve initially as an overview for introduction for no better relationship. Finally, special
to the subject and subsequently as a concise recognition to Dr. Walter Kumpmann for in-
review of the material. The contents are as cur- spiring the project and for his unquestioning
rent as the publishing art permits and include confidence in the authors.
both classical information for the beginning
students as well as recent details and trends Basel and Innsbruck, Summer 1979
for the advanced student. Agamemnon Despopoulos
Stefan Silbernagl

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Despopoulos, Color Atlas of Physiology © 2003 Thieme
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