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This volume is based on a symposium held at the Ciba Foundation, London, in October 1975. Three facts make this a timely and practically important contribution: (1) the remarkable advances made in our understanding of the pathogenesis of cholera and Escherichia coli diarrhea; (2) the recent identification of viruses as causative agents of diarrheal disease; and (3) the significant contribution of diarrheal disease, even today, to morbidity and mortality. As pointed out in one of the chapters, it is estimated that in children less than 5 years of age in Asia, Africa, and Latin America some 500 million episodes of diarrhea occurred in 1975, resulting in 5 to 18 million deaths. In Indonesia, as mentioned in the discussion, it is estimated that no fewer than 600,000 children die annually of diarrhea.
The organizers of the symposium have been eminently successful in attracting excellent contributions. Following an introductory chapter, seven contributions