Although this book is addressed mainly to the nonspecialist, the botanical and chemical information in chapter 1 may be too detailed and technical to interest some readers. We recommend that, after reading the introductory pages, such a nonspecialist may skim the rest but refer back to it for the descriptions of specific drugs as they are mentioned farther on in the text.

We are indebted to a number of people for advice and help. Hanscarl Leuner, Kenneth E. Godfrey, George S. Glass, and Malcolm B. Bowers, Jr., gave permission to cite private communications. Doris Menzer-Benaron, James A. Lyons, and Norman E. Zinberg read all or part of the manuscript and offered encouragement and suggestions. William von Eggers Doering and Richard E. Schultes reviewed the material on chemical structure and botany, respectively. Kathleen Cummings, Nancy Palmer, and Betsy Grinspoon provided invaluable help in preparing the manuscript and proofreading. Thanks are also due to Elizabeth E. C. Case, Alvin S. Hochberg, R. Robert Popeo, James T. Hillard, and Miles F. Shore. A special debt of gratitude is owed to Walter Houston Clark. The opinions and errors, of course, are all our own.