Foreword

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More than ten years have passed since the first edition of the Manual was published and it will soon be the fourth anniversary of the launch of the extensively revised second edition.

During this period, growth in our knowledge of medical science and technology has continued unabated but associated with a greater understanding of the needs for greater effectiveness in the use of pathology testing in the setting of modern medical practice. Over this same period, communication has been revolutionised through the application of computer-based technology.

For these reasons, it is particularly appropriate now to release this electronic version of an extensively updated version of the paper-based second edition of the Manual.

Although the technology is new, the voluntary effort required of the editorial committees to bring it into being remains unchanged from that required for its predecessors: my thanks to all who have participated in this task.

Also on behalf of the College, I express my appreciation to the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Aged Care for his and his Department’s support and financial assistance with this project.

I am confident that this new version will continue to maintain the objective of its paper predecessors “to disseminate knowledge of the principles and practice of pathology in relation to medicine”.

David Davies
President
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
June, 2001