During the last decade a considerable body of knowledge has come into existence concerning a class of carcinogenic molecules chiefly represented by 4-nitroquinoline i-oxide. Original papers on this subject are numerous and widely scattered over many branches of science; it was felt that these papers should be reviewed and the knowledge brought together in one volume before it became too unwieldy. This we have attempted to do in this monograph. Our aim has been to include all relevant papers published to date, so that it may serve as an epitome of the present status of knowledge on this important subject. We have been fortunate in securing the cooperation of several colleagues who have contributed chapters, each dealing with one aspect of the subject. We have been doubly fortunate in that these contributors, like ourselves, were at one time or another members of the group belonging to the scientific staff of Dr. WARO NAKA HARA, Director of the National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan."

The action of diuretics including cellular mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and clinical usage, with much emphasis placed on the most recent findings on the pharmacodynamics of the respective drugs. During the past twenty-five years since volume 14 on Diuretica was published in the Handbook series, the cellular mechanisms of action of diuretics have slowly been unravelled. Today, the role of action within the target cells is known for most of the substances discussed. This has provided a new basis not only for the understanding of drug action but also for secondary effects and interactions. The book represents a comprehensive reference work on the diverse groups of diuretics which are among the most frequently prescribed medications.