Reminiscences and reflections.

Some of Dr. Goldblatt's important contributions during a notable research career of more than 50 years are reviewed. The research on rickets (1922-1932), culminating in the discovery of the antirachitic effect of sterol irradiated with ultraviolet light. The research on cancer (1930-1974), demonstrating the malignant transformation of normal fibroblasts caused by hypoxia and prevented by increased availability of oxygen. The production of benign and chronic experimental hypertension by renal ischaemia (1934-1976). The large-scale isolation of human and animal renin (1943-1976). The production of antirenin by immunization with heterologous or chemical only modified homologous renin. Antirenin successfully reversed both acute and chronic experimental renal hypertension, thereby demonstrating the primary role of the renin-angiotensin system in maintaining the elevated blood pressure and that this type of hypertension is reversible even in the chronic phase of 6 years.