Dr. Eugene F. Du Bois: The problems connected with the treatment of allergic conditions are increasing in importance. The question arises whether the advances in therapy have kept pace with the increase in the number of patients. Dr. Gold will start the discussion with a brief outline of the objectives in the treatment of asthma and other allergic conditions. Dr. Harry Gold: The rational use of drugs in the treatment of allergic conditions requires that we not merely look at these conditions as clinical entities but focus our attention on the physiologic disturbances which are responsible for the symptoms. At least eight major abnormalities are encountered in cases of bronchial asthma: (1) spasm of the bronchial muscle, (2) hypersecretion of the glands, (3) capillary dilatation, (4) increased permeability of the capillary wall, (5) edema of the mucous membrane and possibly also of the muscle of the bronchi and the bronchioles