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Some historical notes on the naming of the International Society on Toxinology
Toxfcas, 1976, Vo6 14, pp" 343-345. P~mon Prar. Pdnied is Che~L &i4io.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR SOME HISTORICAL NOTES ON THE NAMING OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ON TOXINOLOGY A xaw years ago our good editor asked me ifI would put together a history of the founding of the International Society on Toxiology, some of its more important activities to date, and data on how the journal Toxicon came into being. Correspondence on these interests fills four large packing boxes, and while I would be delighted to review the material it has not been possible for me to devote the time necessary for such an endeavor, which I very much regret . From time to time, questions arise regarding some aspect of the founding of the Society, its constitution or related matters. One such recent inquiry relates to the name of the Society . Perhaps I can clarify this problem, without going into detail (or packing boxes). The initial impetus for organizing a society for the study of animal venons and poisons occurred some years ago. Although several of us had considered the possibility of an informal group, which would meet from time to time to discuss problems of mutual interests in the field of the `natural-occurring poisons', the first organized mceting in which serious discussions on a society were aired was that put together by Eleanor Buckley and Nandor Porges, for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The meeting, as we all know, was held in San Francisco in 1954 . Between 1954 and 1961, I met many colleagues throughout the world who were interested in the possibility of organizing a society, and a considerable correspondence ensued, but if was not until the Tenth Pac~c Science Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii (1961), that the ground work for the present Society was actually prepared. At that meeting, Dr. Reid, Dr. Gennaro, Dr. Keegan, Dr. Halstead, Dr. Shannon, and several others, discussed the possibility of a society, committee, or association of, on, or for, the study of venons . Between 1961 and 1962, I wrote approximately 1001etters to various scientists throughout the world, asking whetheror not there would be sufficient interest in an effort to organi~~ a society and journal. The response was overwhelming . Those who replied (over 90 ~), felt that there was not only a need for such a society but that they would do all that they could to help in its organization . There were two dissenters, one who felt there were too many societies already (on that point I am sure we would all agree) and a second person who was involved in organizing a society of toxicology. I discussed the latter problem with the gentleman concerned, and as those of you who attended the organizational meeting will recall, the matter was brought before the group at that time . We felt that there was no conflict between our two groups and, indeed, as experience has shown over the past decade, we have shared a number of common interests and responsibilities . Armed with the correspondence, I approached Mr. Donald Shearer (I am not sure whether I approached him or he approached me), for the purpose of considering the TOYJCON J976 Yol. l~
343
344
Letter to the Bditor
possibility that Pergamon Press might publish a journal treating of interests in the field of the animal and plant poisons. Donald Shearer was not only very much a factor in the
LETTER TO THE EDITOR SOME HISTORICAL NOTES ON THE NAMING OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ON TOXINOLOGY A xaw years ago our good editor asked me ifI would put together a history of the founding of the International Society on Toxiology, some of its more important activities to date, and data on how the journal Toxicon came into being. Correspondence on these interests fills four large packing boxes, and while I would be delighted to review the material it has not been possible for me to devote the time necessary for such an endeavor, which I very much regret . From time to time, questions arise regarding some aspect of the founding of the Society, its constitution or related matters. One such recent inquiry relates to the name of the Society . Perhaps I can clarify this problem, without going into detail (or packing boxes). The initial impetus for organizing a society for the study of animal venons and poisons occurred some years ago. Although several of us had considered the possibility of an informal group, which would meet from time to time to discuss problems of mutual interests in the field of the `natural-occurring poisons', the first organized mceting in which serious discussions on a society were aired was that put together by Eleanor Buckley and Nandor Porges, for the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The meeting, as we all know, was held in San Francisco in 1954 . Between 1954 and 1961, I met many colleagues throughout the world who were interested in the possibility of organizing a society, and a considerable correspondence ensued, but if was not until the Tenth Pac~c Science Congress in Honolulu, Hawaii (1961), that the ground work for the present Society was actually prepared. At that meeting, Dr. Reid, Dr. Gennaro, Dr. Keegan, Dr. Halstead, Dr. Shannon, and several others, discussed the possibility of a society, committee, or association of, on, or for, the study of venons . Between 1961 and 1962, I wrote approximately 1001etters to various scientists throughout the world, asking whetheror not there would be sufficient interest in an effort to organi~~ a society and journal. The response was overwhelming . Those who replied (over 90 ~), felt that there was not only a need for such a society but that they would do all that they could to help in its organization . There were two dissenters, one who felt there were too many societies already (on that point I am sure we would all agree) and a second person who was involved in organizing a society of toxicology. I discussed the latter problem with the gentleman concerned, and as those of you who attended the organizational meeting will recall, the matter was brought before the group at that time . We felt that there was no conflict between our two groups and, indeed, as experience has shown over the past decade, we have shared a number of common interests and responsibilities . Armed with the correspondence, I approached Mr. Donald Shearer (I am not sure whether I approached him or he approached me), for the purpose of considering the TOYJCON J976 Yol. l~
343
344
Letter to the Bditor
possibility that Pergamon Press might publish a journal treating of interests in the field of the animal and plant poisons. Donald Shearer was not only very much a factor in the