Scientists from 25 countries came together at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on October 21-25, 1984, for the 4th International Kinin Congress in the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia. Many of the delegates enjoyed southern hospitality for the first time. The friendly city with its streets lined with the Live Oak Tree (symbol of the Congress), the balmy weather, and the excellent facilities of the hotel set the stage for scientific events and exchange that proved so successful. The organ­ ization of the meeting was the result of many hours, days and weeks of effort by many, including from Augusta Drs. James H. Sutherland, John Catravas, William Davis, Jr. , and Hiroshi Okamoto; and from Charleston, SC, Julie Chao, Ronald Mayfield and Donald Miller. Special thanks go to Ms. Cher Cornett of the Department of Medical Illustration at the Medical College of Georgia for her talent in the design of the logo, as well as the graphics of the program and abstracts. We are indeed indebted to Dr. Paul Brucker, Director of the Division of Health Communi­ cations at the Medical College of Georgia, for his considerable aid in spending time with us to arrange the programming format and continuity. Ms. Sandra Usry provided very excellent and devoted secretarial help for several years while the Congress was in the making.