The proceedings of this meeting contain 30 main communications or presentations and an account of discussions which took place following some of them. Thirty-two distinguished scientists from widely different disciplines and countries participated. Lately there has been a most desirable interest in and attention to crucial factors influencing growth which are operative after conception and during pregnancy, during labor, and in the very early stages of the life of the newly born.
The complexities and interactions of so many factors are clear. It is necessary, therefore, for those disciplines involved to meet frequently and to carry out research in a cooperative, coordinated, interdisciplinary way. Alas, progress has been much impeded by past insularity of key disciplines. Thus, such proceedings are a breath of fresh air and stimulate because of the nature of the meetings of so many different minds.
The first series of communications was devoted to those factors affecting