PREFACE 
vii 
species, the efficacy of the drugs come under 
question. Any differences in technique or han- 
dling procedures must be compensated for by 
the development of relevant toxicity data, if 
these drugs are considered for use in man. The 
discussion identifies limitations and advantages 
in utilizing numerous animal species in pharma- 
cological investigations and the difficulty in ex- 
trapolating animal results to man. Particular 
attention is directed to the differences in meta- 
bolic rates among animal species. Recognition 
of these variations will strengthen the data base 
in animal investigation when testing new phar- 
macological agents intended for use in man. 
The classic disciplines of anatomy and path- 
ology continue to provide valuable information, 
new approaches, and fresh insights into a num- 
ber of diseases and important problems as- 
sociated with various disease. Genetic and bi- 
ological effects of radiation on large animals, 
and how such models have served to provide 
data relevant to man, are reviewed. In assess- 
ing these effects of radiation, it is of overriding 
importance that the quality of radiation, its 
dose rate, and dose to the susceptible tissue be 
carefully defined. Moreover, these data must be 
viewed in the light of other available informa- 
tion about the effects of radiation in man and 
animal. 
One cannot overemphasize the importance of 
animal diseases in animals used in medical re- 
search. Their effects can mask or modify the 
course of other diseases being studied. Those 
concerned with laboratory animal medicine fully 
realize the import of specific animal diseases 
and their possible pertubating effect upon the 
principal studies being conducted in the animal. 
Research studies involving unhealthy animals 
not only have limited or no value, but can waste 
both time and resources. The discussions in- 
clude consideration of animal diseases that are 
useful in medical research as well as those 
which are detrimental when the animals are 
used in research and in the formulation of spe- 
cific types of animal models. 
In discussions of animal resources, the princi- 
pal attention is directed to coping with such 
basic problems in the use of animals as their 
highly variable and unknown genetic back- 
ground, age, temperament, and disease status. 
To some extent, it was felt that these problems, 
as well as others, could be overcome through the 
use of animals from more standardized colonies 
in which baseline data pertaining to anatomy, 
physiology, hematology, biochemistry, etc. for 
specific sex, age, and other groups would be 
available. Some investigators have been reluc- 
tant to use the non-human primate because of 
unavailability of properly conditioned animals, 
inadequate knowledge of the primate, of meth- 
ods for their maintenance and handling, of ap- 
propriate equipment and of trained animal 
technicians. Obviously, these problems have 
made it difficult for small colonies to be main- 
tained by single investigators for their own 
study purposes. However, some of these prob- 
lems are now being overcome through the pri- 
mate research centers and institutional primate 
resources that contribute to research economy 
and conservation of animals. Further, it should 
be noted that there exists a primate information 
center which can provide normative data and 
bibliographic services on primates and their use 
in research. 
Modern instrumentation and techniques of 
application are making possible great strides in 
the acquisition of information on anesthetized 
and unanesthetized animals under acute and 
chronic conditions. The topics discussed range 
from engineering details of instrumentation 
through new knowledge of cardiovascular, 
respiratory and other diseases derived by use 
of new instrumentation. An important element 
to note is that greater emphasis is being applied 
to the importance of making measurements of 
physiological variables in the unanesthetized 
animal with all normal control mechanisms in- 
tact. This is in contrast with the more tradi- 
tional work on the anesthetized animal or 
excised tissue preparations in the past. It is ap- 
parent that the development and application of 
atraumatic instrumentation will have a signif- 
icant, conceivably revolutionary, impact on 
disease diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. 
Of vital importance to the field of animal re- 
search are effective guidelines and legislation to 
assure the proper treatment and welfare of 
research animals. And, equally important, is 
the interpretation, communication, and under- 
standing of the various facets of these require- 
