Proceedings of a symposium held in Boston, 3 and 4 June 1977, sponsored by the Massachusetts Thoracic Society. The first section reviews fundamentals and pathophysiology, with chapters on definition and diagnosis, epidemiology and mortality patterns, pathology, chemical mediators of hypersensitivity, neural regulatory mechanisms, pharmacologic basis for refractoriness, and mucus as a contributing factor. Chapters in the section on clinical and therapeutic considerations cover sputum, theophylline, adrenergic agents, beta-2 agents, corticosteroids, antibiotics, sedative and ventilatory control, intermittent positive-pressure breathing, oxygen and mechanical ventilation, bronchocscopy and lavage, problems of asthma in pregnancy, prophylaxis, corticosteroid weaning, psychiatric aspects, and complications and mortality. In