PROBLEMS OF MODERN SCIENCE 



the University of London to curtail somewhat con- 

 siderably not only Physiology, but also Anatomy, 

 Chemistry, and some of the earlier studies which 

 the student indulges in before he proceeds to 

 the actual study of disease at the bedside. As 

 a physiologist, and speaking as a physiologist, I 

 of course regret any cutting down of the number 

 of hours, or in the number of classes, which the 

 student has to attend in my own particular subject, 

 but at the same time I can quite realise that there 

 are many details which apparently have no prac- 

 tical bearing at present, and which might quite 

 well be omitted from the student's course of study. 

 What is called Applied Physiology, actual practical 

 application of physiological knowledge to medical 

 practice, is really what is wanted. At the same 

 time, one never knows what may not ultimately 

 be of practical utility. There are many subjects 

 which are studied with no ulterior or utilitarian 

 aim which in the end turn out to be of inestimable 

 practical benefit. So it is never absolutely safe 

 to say that this or that is of no use because it has 

 not yet been shown to be directly applicable to the 

 relief of disease and injury. A legend I do not 

 suppose it is very much more than a legend is 

 told of an old professor at one of our ancient seats 

 of learning, who, after a laborious life devoted 

 to very intricate research, thanked God that he 

 had never done anything that was or would be of 

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