It was the year of 1969 when this monograph was originally published in Japanese by Professor TADASHI KAWAI, titled as "The Plasma Proteins, Their Fundamental and Clinical Aspects." After I read through the Japanese edition, I was impressed by its rather complete coverage of the subjects and their detailed descriptions. I have felt that this excellent monograph should be distributed not only among our Japanese scien tists but also among many other colleagues throughout the world. I am happy, the refore, to know that the English edition of his monograph, partly revised, is ready to be published at this time. Professor KAWAI received his postgraduate medical training in U.S.A. for seven years, and was certified by the American Board of Pathology in both Anatomical and Clinical Pathology in Fall, 1962. Thus, I believe, he is the most suitable fellow for publishing the English edition of this kind.

1. The Fundamental Structure of Proteins

2. General Principles of Protein Fractionation
3. Plasma Proteins Included in the Albumin Fraction
4. Plasma Proteins Included in the ?1-Fraction
5. Plasma Proteins Included in the ?2-Fraction
6. Plasma Proteins Included in the ?-Fraction
7. Fibrinogen and Its Degradation Products
8. Immunoglobulins
9. Glycoproteins and Lipoproteins
Chadter 10. General Survey of the Plasma Protein Metabollism
11. Synthesis of the Plasma Proteins
12. Bodily Distribution of the Plasma Proteins
13. Catabolism of the Plasma Proteins
14. External Loss of the Plasma Proteins
15. Diagnostic Approaches in Plasma Protein Abnormalities
16. Variations in the Measurement of the Plasma Proteins
17. Interpretation of Serum Protein Patterns
18. Plasma Protein Changes in Malnutritional Conditions
19. Plasma Protein Changes in Protein-Losing Conditions
20. Plasma Protein Changes in Hepatic Disorders
21. Plasma Protein Changes in Acute Phase Responses
22. Plasma Protein Changes in Polyclonal Hyperimmounoglobulinemia
23. Plasma Protein Changes in M-Proteinemic Type
24. Abnormal Plasma Proteins
25. Defect Dysproteinemias
26. Hyperlipoproteinemia
27. Plasma Protein Changes in Pregnant and Fetal Periods.