In Reply.—
In the course of planning the pathological studies of the brains from the Collaborative Study on Cerebral Survival, it became apparent that among neuropathologists there was no unanimity of opinion regarding the interpretation of the findings in these brains. Although the current literature would suggest that the term "respirator brain" might be considered the pathological substrate for the patient in "coma dépassé" there were some pathologists who believed that this term was inappropriate, and that the brain changes simply represented postmortem alterations. In order to obtain an idea of the current thinking of neuropathologists regarding the concept of a respirator brain, Dr Mosley submitted a questionnaire to members of the American Association of Neuropathologists. The mail poll was carried out when the Collaborative Study was practically completed, had no influence on either the criteria that were being used for a respirator brain nor on the opinions of the