FOR GENERATIONS surgeons have admiringly reflected on the pioneers who have developed new operations or who have been the first to perform successfully a particular operation. Surgical progress during the past quarter century has culminated in the realization of open heart surgery, organ transplantation, and a remarkable reduction in mortality for all surgical procedures. Unlike the results of a new operation, nonoperative aspects of surgical care have been slow and not conducive to newspaper headlines. While development of improved surgical methods, equipment, anesthesia, and whole blood availability has been important, the gradual accumulation of knowledge of supportive care of the patient pre- and post-operatively has probably been the greatest single factor in this remarkable development. As a pioneer in the development of this knowledge, Dr. Darrow shares the rewards of its fruition. His influence on the development of surgical supportive care was in-direct. He was a seeker of truth, one who sought