4 IXTRODICTJON 



journals, as well as in medical and other journals dealing 

 with applied biology. Important (hita are often hidden 

 in papers having no obvious conection with the anaero- 

 biosis problem. It is manifestly impossible to read the 

 enti,re scientific output of the last 50 years in the above 

 fields, and consequently some important papers may 

 have been omitted. We shall appreciate it if such cases 

 are brought to our attention. This review covers the 

 literature in the field up to the beginning of 1945. 



Our sincere thanks are due to Dr. E. G. Reinhard and 

 Dr. B. J. Luyet, both of whom read the entire manuscript 

 and offered many helpful suggestions. To Dr. Luyet, we 

 are, in addition, deeply indebted for his painstaking edito- 

 rial work in which he was ably assisted by Dr. P. M. 

 Gehenio. The present work would not have been possi- 

 ble without the cooperation of various libraries; we are 

 especially grateful for the never-failing courtesy of the 

 Army Medical Libra,ry, the Library of the Department of 

 Agriculture, the Library of Congress and the Library of 

 the U. S. National Musemn. 



Washington, D. C, September 25, 1945 

 Theodoe von Brand 



