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W,. i . - . ■ < V V 



PREFACE '' ^^ %: 



This book is based upon lectures given at University 

 College, London, at the invitation of Professor F.R. 

 WiNTON. It was not intended that these lectures should 

 constitute an exhaustive survey of the place of cell phy- 

 siology in pharmacology. They were intended to indi- 

 cate some of the more important factors, on the cellular 

 level, which must be considered by students of drug 

 action. 



My interest in the mode of action of drugs has been 

 stimulated at various times by A.J.Clark, H.R.Ing, 

 J. C. Drummond, J. H. Gaddum, and F. R.Winton. Dur- 

 ing the war of 1939-45 this interest was turned towards 

 practical problems, and I was able to study at first hand 

 the problems which are encountered when a search is 

 being made for a new drug. The problems roughly se- 

 parate into three broad groups — corresponding to the 

 disciplines of organic chemistry, physical chemistry, 

 and biology. It was impressive to see that the chemical 

 problems could often be handled with ease and moder- 

 ate precision. But in practically all investigations it be- 

 comes necessary for the chemist to introduce theoris- 

 ation on the biological side at some stage. This is some- 

 times done as a guide to action, and sometimes as a 

 guide to inaction. But whatever the intention, the chem- 

 ist's biological theories are apt to be more surprising 

 than successful. 



