[Ralph Milton Waters and 75 years of professionalism in anesthesiology].

This short biography introduces Ralph Waters to Japanese speaking people. Meeting in Madison in June 2002, "Ralph Waters and Professionalism in Anesthesiology A Celebration of 75 Years", is also reported briefly. Ralph Waters is relatively unknown in Japan probably because during his professional life, Japan looked to the continental Europe to learn medicine and sent students chiefly to this area. After the end of the World War II, however, Japan sent a number of students to the United States including many who received the training in anesthesiology in the departments headed by the disciples of Waters or in the departments under the strong influence of Waters' philosophy. Therefore, it is probably true to say that Japanese anesthesiology today owes much to Waters' teaching.