2m 
BIOSTEREOMETRICS '74—A REPORT 55 
don, read a paper submitted by A. Boyde, 
University College London, and H.F. Ross 
and W.R. Bucknall, Cartographic Engineer- 
ing Ltd., Salisbury, England. Two new 
stereometric plotting instruments designed 
especially for use with scanning electron 
microscopic records were described. 
Dr. S. Ghosh, The Ohio State University, 
Columbus, USA, outlined a new procedure 
for analytical calibration ofthe scanning elec- 
tron microscope and reported the results of a 
sample test at three different magnifications. 
Professor P.H. Burke, University of Shef- 
field, England, described the use of a mod- 
ified dual-“Multiplex” stereometric camera 
in a study of normal and abnormal facial mor- 
phology and growth of children. 
Dr. J.P. Duncan, University of British Co- 
lumbia, in a paper co-authored by J. Foortand 
S.G. Mair, outlined a new approach to the 
physical modeling of human body parts 
based on an automatic process called 
“Polyhedral Machining.” A silhouette tech- 
nique, using optical or video recording, was 
also described. 
Prof. Homorodi, Geodetic Institute, 
Budapest, Hungary, read a paper submitted 
by Drs. M. Domokos and B. Kismartoni, 
Technical University, Budapest, Hungary. 
The paper dealt with the use of a simple 
stereometric method of recording facial mor- 
phology, particularly ear form, in a health 
survey of mentally handicapped children. 
Dr. V. Kratky, National Research Council, 
Ottawa, Canada, read a paper authored by Dr. 
G.W.D. Armstrong, Dr. T.J. Blachut, and 
M.C. van Wijk. The paper described an ap- 
plication of analytical photogrammetry to 
evaluate the performance of a transverse 
loading system in surgical correction of 
scoliosis. 
Session VII, with Dr. R.E. Herron, Baylor 
College of Medicine presiding, included 
seven further papers on body geometry/form. 
Prof. J. Anderson, Kings College, London, 
in a paper co-authored by A. Short, M. Mutch, 
and R.D. Grover, described the development 
and use of a new approach to stereometric 
measurement of body form based on a 
pulse-modulated ultra-sonic camera which 
houses the transmitter, receiver, and as- 
sociated circuitry. 
Dr. MJ. Whittle, NASA, Houston, in a 
paper co-authored by Dr. R.E. Herron, J.R. 
Cuzzi, and J.E. Hugg, described recent uses 
of the Baylor Biostereometric System to 
monitor the effects of extended space flight 
on the body form of Skylab astronauts. 
Dr. H. Takasaki, Shizuoka University, Ja- 
pan, described his work in moiré inter- 
ferometry as related to biostereometric 
studies. Theoretical and practical aspects of 
the method were reviewed. 
Dr. J. der Hovanesian, Oakland University, 
Rochester, Michigan, in a paper co-authored 
by M. Tafralian described the use of moiré 
interferometry in corneal, podiatric, bio- 
mechanical and other human morphological 
studies. 
R.V. Free, Birmingham, Alabama, outlined 
further uses of a moiré interferometric 
method in biostereometrics, with special ref- 
erence to studies ofexternal spinal geometry. 
Dr. R.E. Herron, Baylor College of Medi- 
cine, Houston, presented an epilogue which 
focused on helping the beginner to under- 
stand the proceedings of the Biostereomet- 
rics '74 Symposium and thanking the speak- 
ers, exhibitors, and attendees. 
Dr. H.M. Karara, in a brief closing session, 
thanked everyone for their fine support. The 
first International Symposium on Bios- 
tereometrics was then adjourned. 
Itis difficultto summarize in a few lines the 
overall impact of a meeting which ranged so 
widely as this one. The expressed goal of the 
symposium was to stimulate improved com- 
munications among those already interested 
in biostereometrics such as researchers, 
clinicians, designers, instrument manufac- 
turers, and others. In addition, it was hoped 
that newcomers to biostereometrics would 
find the presentations and proceedings use- 
ful as an introduction to the “state-of-the-art.” 
Many participants formally and informally 
expressed satisfaction that the symposium 
had indeed provided a valuable and al- 
together too rare opportunity to make friends 
and discuss mutual interests with far-flung 
colleagues. Hopefully, many of these con- 
tacts will be sustained through the medium of 
correspondence and exchange of reprints 
until the next symposium comes around. 
The scope and variety of the presentations 
must have been somewhat overwhelming for 
newcomers and even for some of the more 
experienced participants. Yet, the fact that 
the symposium did not represent a very co- 
herent whole is not surprising, considering 
that we are dealing with a new field (although 
the roots of stereometric analysis go back at 
least five centuries). New sciences develop 
when theory and technology intersect and, 
in this instance, new understandings about 
the mathematical analysis of organic form 
are “intersecting” with advances in photo- 
optics, electronics, and other modern tech- 
nologies. The fusion of hardware, software, 
and theoretical insights from what have 
traditionally been rather disparate disci-