Computing, mathematics, and the nephrologist.

The potential of computing and mathematics to make major contributions to nephrology by making information retrieval and presentation more accurate, more complete, and more rapid and by providing immediate access to computational and graphic facilities is emphasized in this symposium issue. The realization that disordered physiology due to disease may not prevent the course of an illness being described in mathematical terms should encourage physicians, and others interested in pathophysiology, to integrate mathematics and statistics into their thinking and their practice.