摘要:The Igaku Chuo Zasshi (the Japana Centra Revuo Medicina) was started by the late Dr. Amako in 1903. It has, over a period of last 80 years, produced about 4, 000, 000 abstracts reflecting changes and progress of medical science, dental science, pharmaceutical science and other related fields in Japan. Along with the development of science and economy in Japan, educational institutions, research facilities, health care facilities spread rapidly. Along with this development, the fields of research were also diversified resulting in corresponding increase in the volume of literature published. In fiscal 1984, the number of periodicals increased to about 1800 and the number of abstracts increased to about 190, 000. This year also saw the publication of the Volume Number 3, 342. As the number of periodicals increased, strong need was felt for reducing the time lag, simplification of retrieval procedures and smooth operation of the entire operation. In response to these needs a comprehensive study was initiated and continued over the past several years. As a result, computerization and machine editing have been carried out since April 1983. This enabled to add abstracts simultaneously with the index and also made annual cumulated index a reality for the first time. The Medical Abstracts Society started to cooperate with the Japan Information Center of Science and Technology (JICST) in the creation of “the JICST File on Medical Science in Japan” from 1981 and for creation of an English language data base from 1985. The Society was authorized to receive the research grants of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture from 1981. The Society plans to continue to improve abstracting services and at the same time strive to develop new information services, draw up measures to keep up with developments in research with the view of responding to the needs of researcher and literature searchers.