N. Katz (Institute of Biochemistry, Univ. of Giessen). an astounding body of theoretical and practical • Receiving such varied and kind assistance and ad- knowledge. Many of these empirical findingswere vice has filled me with gratitude and encouragement subsequently confirmed some (still) remain "- during the years spent compiling this book. pirical", without, however, having been disproved. "Empiricism, Intuition and Logic" (R. Gross, Co- In preparing the book my thoughts and my loving logne, 1988) will always be the leitmotif of the ph- gratitude have constantly been with my son, Ha- ician! • The considerable and fascinating develop- Dieter r, whose death was so sudden and incompreh- ments in hepatology,especially those of the last ten sible to us all. I have tried to represent his inspi- years, remain a central theme. • The current stageof tions and detailed ideas as well as incorporating his th this development may well become known as the 4 particular clinical insights. This volume is thus our (biomolecular) epoch of hepatology, as I have p- joint life's work. He will always be remembered as an posed in the first chapter of our book. example to us all. At the beginning and end of the book I have pur- Finally,my thanks to the employees at Springer for posely cited two quotations from P PARACELSUS which the speedy completion of this book and especially to have always made a deep impression on me. • In the Jörg Engelbrecht and Dr.