Descartes against the skeptics

JOSEPH MEITES, BERNARD T. DONOVAN, and SAMUEL M. McCANN (editors), Pioneers in neuroendocrinology, volume II, New York and London, Plenum Press, 1978, 8vo, pp. 422, $39.00. This series of autobiographies continues with twenty-four further essays. The individuals concerned include the three editors, Roger Guillemin, and Solly Zuckerman. These are the second generation of pioneers, whose contributions began in the 1950s and who are still active today. Each discusses his own work, and together they provide a remarkable survey of about three decades of advances, which include chemotransmitters, hypothalamic releasing factors, anterior pituitary hormones, neuroendocrinal control of reproduction, central nervous system activities and their interaction with endocrine function, and the development of mammary and pituitary tumours. Some may question whether this is true history, but these articles will certainly be the stuff of tomorrow's history. For the time being they will make fascinating and valuable reading for many.