This volume contains the papers presented at the symposion on Central Neurone Environment and the Control Systems of Breathing and Circulation held at Bochum, October 5-7,1981 in honour of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans H. Loeschcke, who retired in March 1981. His discovery of ventral medullary substrates forming an essential drive for the ventilatory as well as for circulatory control systems, and the elaboration of this concept during the last 25 years have profoundly influenced the concepts in this field. In an age of proceeding specializa­ tion on partial mechanisms, his approach has always emphasized the integrative aspects of the control systems, especially the role of the respiratory control system for the ionic homeostasis of the brain and the close interrelation between neuronal respiratory and cardiovascular control. This general intention implies the combination of physico­ chemical and neurophysiological approaches as well as the study of peripheral function of respiration and circulation, topics which are usually handled separately according to the different methods.