DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN MEDICINE 49 



blood diseases, diabetes, the various degenerative processes, etc., 

 which, though frequently easily recognized during life, are at best 

 only modified by our efforts to check or remove them. 



Physio-chemistry, experimental medicine, physiology, and patho- 

 logic anatomy have given us much information of these processes, 

 and there can be no question that many of these problems will be 

 solved by the present methods of investigation. 



The present knowledge of the cause of disease, of the evolution 

 of disease processes, of the natural expression of disease as recog- 

 nized by clinical investigation, has resulted in a rational mode of 

 treatment. Drug treatment is no longer looked upon as specific, 

 but as a helpful agent to modify and palliate disease processes, 

 in conjunction with proper dietary, hydratic, and hygienic measures. 

 Polypharmacy and indiscriminate drugging and drug nihilism are 

 recognized as equally irrational. It requires a nice judgment of when 

 to give, as much as when to withhold, drugs. 



To enable a diseased or crippled organ more nearly to perform 

 its function; to fortify and prolong life, with the hope of a favorable 

 termination of a self-limited disease; to palliate suffering, are some 

 of the measures which drugs afford modern medicine. Pharmaco- 

 logy and pharmacy have developed equally with the other parts of 

 medicine and enable us to command drugs and active principles 

 with accuracy and comfort. 



The discovery of the X-ray was a boon tosurgical diagnosis and 

 it has proved of wonderful therapeutic value in many of the disease 

 processes of the skin and superficial tissues. When the X-ray shall 

 be better understood its appreciation will be undoubtedly much more 

 extensive. 



The rapid development of modern medicine has attracted wide 

 attention and excited the interest of students and investigators 

 over the whole world. 



A larger percentage than ever before of the best-educated students 

 of the world have sought medicine as the most attractive field of 

 study and research. At this time there are hundreds of earnest, 

 thoughtful, patient, and energetic workers after truth who fre- 

 quently sacrifice home, friends, comfort, health, and even life for the 

 advancement of the science of medicine. 



The advancement of modern medicine has also attracted the 

 attention of the philanthropic rich as never before. In recent years 

 institutes of research have been erected or are in the course of con- 

 struction and equipment which have rich endowment. Modern medi- 

 cine is therefore better prepared to develop now than ever before. 



The development of medical literature has been in keeping with 

 the advancement of other sciences. Large and valuable libraries are 

 found in every land. Medical journalism is a science of itself and 



