Comroe and Dripps revisited.

Everybody interested in research has a stock of stories to illustrate their theories on how important developments arise. Usually the stories are selected (consciously or unconsciously) to reflect the importance of the sort of work that the storyteller does. More than 20 years ago Julius Comroe, a professor of physiology, and Robert Dripps, a professor of anaesthetics, became tired and irritated by this approach and set about introducing some "science" into the subject.' In the introduction to the study they eventually produced they condemn the anecdotal and "let me give you an example" approach as suitable only for dinner parties and governmental committees. Scientists need something better, and certainly those who must decide how to spend limited research funds need something better.