It is with pride, humility and a sense of important responsibility that I begin the presentation of a Banting Memorial Lecture. The problem which I have chosen to discuss today is one with which my group has been concerned during the past eleven years. It has to do with the effect of ACTH and glucocorticoids upon carbohydrate tolerance of normal people. Before proceeding further I wish to point out that today I act as spokesman for the various past and present members of my research staff who have contributed their ideas and efforts to this long-term project.