| Summary: | The main part of this thesis consists, firstly, of a series of papers illustrating the development of the writer's quantitative approach to the study of the action of histamine antagonists in man; and, secondly, of a note concerning trials of antihistaminics, followed by the description of a pilot trial of one of these drugs. Some repetition has been unavoidable in the published accounts. The supporting part of the thesis consists of two papers, in order of their publication. The first describes some early work on the mode of action of autonomic nerves, and is followed by a short addendum. The second, and more important contribution, deals with the inactivation of adrenaline - thought, at that time, to be the transmitter of adrenergic nerve effects. It is followed by a short addendum extending some of the observations to various mammals, including man. The war interrupted this work, but it was resumed, and extended to include noradrenaline, when that substance became available. A second addendum summarises some of the more recent observations. This work, on histamine antagonists and on adrenaline and noradrenaline, is being continued. Some of the methods developed in it are being success- fully applied to related fields, both by the writer and by some of his pupils.
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