Urolithiasis is a common disorder which is recognised in most parts of the world and occurs in both man and animals. The multifactorial nature of the problem requires an interdisciplinary approach which has always been a feature of this series of International Symposia which started in Leeds in 1968 and has progressed at four-yearly intervals through Madrid, Davos and Williamsburg. The latest Meeting, at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in April 1984, involved 302 participants from all five continents. The major emphasis of the Meeting was to blend the basic and clinical research on urolithiasis. Comprehensive reviews of the major areas of current research were presented by invited speakers, all internationally recognized experts in their fields. From more than 250 submitted abstracts, 18 were selected for oral presentation and the remainder presented at three afternoon poster sessions which provided an opportunity for informal and more lengthy discussions of the work on display. The Meeting also included three ad hoc Evening Discussions on how to approach various unsolved questions in the clinical and laboratory evaluation of stone patients and four Round Table Discussions involving specialists in the field who debated the theoretical aspects of stone formation in the urinary tract, the measurement of inhibitory activity of urine, the treatment of idiopathic stones with drugs, and the nature and treatment of stones arising from urinary tract infection.

The handbook on lithiasis edited by Kurt Boshamer and originally brought out in 1961 was for more than two decades the standard work in this field for researchers and clinicians alike. However, our knowl edge of urolithiasis has been increased so enormously - by worldwide interdisciplinary research into the genesis of urinary calculi, by the new treatment possibilities opened up principally by advances in tech nology, and by the success achieved in prevention of recurrence - that it is almost impossible to take in all the relevant journal articles, books chapters, monographs, and proceedings. It was therefore our aim in this, the first of two independent vol umes, to provide a concise but comprehensive summary of current knowledge concerning the morphology and composition of calculi, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnostic techniques. The most re cent developments are described, and nothing in the world literature is ignored. A second volume will cover medical therapy, operative, in strumental and noninvasive treatment, and prophylaxis. To have any chance of success, treatment and prophylaxis must be based on knowledge of calculus formation. Study of the composition of calculi has yielded important information regarding the conditions for formation, and this underlines once again the great value of analy sis of urinary concretions. Evaluation of epidemiological data has im portant consequences for the individual patient."

normal and pathological mineralization in vertebrates but also with the interesting problems involved in the formation of in tracellular deposits of calcium oxalate in plants. Here cal cium carbonate and silica may also be involved in the mineral ization processes. Calcium carbonate is an important component in the formation of mollusc and avian shells. The observation that both calcite and aragonite may be formed in biogenic cal cium carbonate raises important questions as to what factors control the formation of the final mineral phase. There is little doubt that thermodynamically less stable phases may be kinetically stabilized for long periods of time by other mole cules present in vivo. In normal mineralization, calcium salts may initially be deposited both within the cells and extracel lularly. In the latter case, the role of matrix vesicles and the ways in which the matrix components might control mineral ization were especially emphasized. There is clearly a need for more structural and functional information involving cells, matrix components, and their associated crystals. The develop ment of further techniques involving mutants, chromofluors, and fixatives for preservation of tissue and the ions present in vivo was recommended. In dealing with abnormal and pathological mineralization, the Workshop concentrated on urolithiasis, gout and pseudo-gout, and the formation of dental caries. Discussions based on the influence of media of low pH on mineral surfaces highlighted some of the factors of importance in controlling crystal dis solution."