Mr. President, members of the American Academy of Dermatology and Syphilology, and guests. This is the second time that I have been privileged to attend a meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology and Syphilology. The first was in 1948 when I attended through the courtesy of Dr. Earl Osborne. I was then introduced to him by my respected colleague, Dr. George Andrews. At that time I was not on the wrong side of the rostrum—I mean "wrong" for an amateur speaker like myself who would rather be behind. I little realized then that I should have this unique privilege of having a different perspective of the Academy and face this vast audience. Among the listeners are many of my mentors whose thoughts in print have influenced my dermatologic thinking. Hence it is with the greatest hesitation and humility, borne out of my humble dermatologic attainments compared to those of