BIOLOGY IN HUMAN AFFAIRS 



do everything possible to maintain physiologically normal 

 function. It can produce rest of various tissues by side- 

 tracking their functions temporarily and restoring them 

 when the pathologic condition has been brought under 

 control. Thus, before operating on the large intestine, the 

 surgeon brings the small intestines to the surface of the 

 body and sidetracks the large intestine until the operation 

 has been completed and the patient has recovered. Oper- 

 ations are now done in two and three and even four stages 

 in order to bring them within the capacity of the patient 

 to endure. Through the development of reconstructive and 

 reparative surgery, limbs are removed with the definite 

 idea of providing proper stumps for an artificial limb. 



A new point of view has been developed regarding dis- 

 eases of the skin formerly considered merely as blemishes 

 on the surface. Diseases of the skin were treated with 

 lotions and ointments. Now it is recognized that any 

 manifestation on the skin is a reflection of some con- 

 stitutional disturbance, and the basic cause is sought and 

 treated, the external treatment being applied merely for 

 the patient's comfort. In the treatment of skin diseases, 

 all of the powerful forces that have been mentioned are 

 utilized. 



Conclusion 



The field of medical research is unlimited. In the con- 

 sideration of the application of modern medicine to the 

 study of internal medicine, I have shown the trend of 

 medical investigation. The measures mentioned are being 

 applied to all the medical specialties. A detailed considera- 

 tion would involve writing an encyclopedia. 



It has been taken for granted that the man of to-day is 

 the best type of man that could ever be produced. Actually, 

 by the application of our modern knowledge of nutrition, 

 it may be possible to make men who are bigger, more 



[238] 



