5J 



CHAIRMAN'S OPENING REMARKS 



Charles H. Best 



There are many groups, in different countries, studying the 

 subject of gerontology. I note that most of these associations 

 of scientists encounter some difficulty in the definition of terms 

 and in the delineation of their field of interest. Our Committee 

 has been examining essays on the problems of ageing, which 

 have been written in various parts of the world. We have 

 experienced the usual troubles but we have not taken these 

 too seriously ; at this stage of the development of the study of 

 ageing it is wise to inspect broad fields, to look for soft spots 

 in the wall of ignorance and not to worry unduly about exact 

 definitions. We all realize that we are studying variations 

 with time in what we think is normal function. Even this 

 simple broad statement will undoubtedly be subjected to 

 careful scrutiny. 



AGEING— III— 1 



