The results of discussion on the current state of pathology in medical science and practical hospital work are presented in this paper which is the author's report on the 2nd symposium of the societies of pathologists in socialist countries. Special attention is drawn to the significance of necropsies in comparing clinical and post-mortem diagnoses, the related numerical materials are provided. The decrease of necropsies of patients dying in hospitals in most countries of the world is noted, and the methods of getting rid of this are indicated both for scientific goals and health service. The increasing necessity of contacts between pathologists and clinicians is pointed out and the ways of realization of this important tool for further development of medicine are traced. The comparative data on the methods of training in pathology in many European countries and USA are presented. The paper is concluded by a review on the state of pathology in the GDR, measures taken by the GDR Ministry of Health and by the Society of GDR pathologists. The confidence is expressed in success of these measures in the process of realization by the GDR government of the X Party Congress and the 5th Plenum of the SUPG Decisions on the development of science and its effectiveness.