From the 19-29 May 1991 the NATO ASI Course PAsthma Treatment: A P
Multidisciplinary Approach was held in Erice, on the rocky North West
Coast of Sicily, facing the ancient Phoenician shore of the African
Continent. Sixty NATO sponsored participants arriving from many
different European Countries - Nato members and non - attended the
course. Qualified researchers from Europe and the United States held
extensive lectures, short meetings and small informal group discussions.
Erice is a magical place which draws together people from different
backgrounds and cultures under her Mediterrean charm, recreating the
ancient Greek openair discussion atmosphere. And so, during the 10 days
gathering, the extensive willingness of the senior investigators and the
laudable enthusiasm of the younger participants was stimulated. All of
the most recent findings in the biology and the pharmacology of Asthma
were discussed, initially behind closed doors, to be unhurriedly
continued along the alley ways of the "Cittadella della Scienza", in
Erice's small restaurants, and on her deserted beaches. The texts
collected here are testimony to the high quality of the investigators
contributions as well as their far reaching interests. I think that a
Director of such a Course would be adequatly satisfied by merely
considering the enthusiasm and high level involvement of every
participant. He could not have been more satisfied after having
considered the proceedings summerizing the scientific content of the
meeting.