450 HUMAN BIOLOGY 



operation, can be most successfully remedied by introducing 

 into the patient's veins the blood of a hke nature, previously 

 tested to show that it is compatible, from another and healthy 

 person (the donor); blood transfusion is an old idea, but 

 it is only within the last twenty years that its technique 

 has been so improved as to make it safe. Anemia may be 

 due to the action of substances used in industries, such as 

 lead, benzole, some explosives, or of x-rays or radium in 

 persons exposed to their influence for long periods in the 

 course of their occupation; knowledge of the causes makes it 

 comparatively easy to anticipate and prevent regrettable 

 results by periodical inspection of the employees. Another 

 form of anemia associated with enlargement of the spleen, 

 known as chronic splenic anemia, has been proved to be 

 curable by surgical removal of the spleen, an operation 

 which has also been found to be an effective cure for chronic 

 hemolytic jaundice. 



NEUROLOGY 



The remarkable progress in physiology since the second 

 half of the last century has influenced the practice of medicine 

 in many directions, but probably in none more than in 

 bringing about a clearer insight into disorders and diseases 

 of the nervous system. Morbid physiology, which is part of 

 pathology, has thrown much light on the causes of nervous 

 diseases, as have the new developments in psychology; 

 thus it has become possible to apply more rational and 

 effective treatment to functional disorders (neuroses, 

 psychoneuroses) as well as to structural diseases of the brain, 

 spinal cord and nerves. The needs of the numerous cases of 

 war neuroses led to much psychotherapeutic practice, and 

 the experience thus gained has borne fruit and modified in 

 some respects previous conceptions. The recognition of the 

 effect of syphilis in producing degenerative diseases of the 

 nervous system has emphasized the urgency for thorough 

 early treatment. Recently one of these diseases, general 

 paralysis of the insane, has been much benefited by the 

 artificial production of malaria. The importance of heredity 

 in mental disorders has aroused eugenic activities for the 



