1914] Editoriais 34 1 



refers (page 276), was a product of the fermentation which the suc- 

 cessful Joint sessions had caused. Joint sessions between the Bio- 

 chemical and Physiological Societies have been features of the 

 annual programs ever since. 



The Pharmacological Society was organized in Baltimore, in 

 December 1908, by active members of the Physiological and Bio- 

 chemical Societies, and Professor Mathews' plan for the Organiza- 

 tion of an American Biological Society, which was presented to 

 the Physiological Society at that time, was received, filed and for- 

 gotten (p. 2yy). 



Annual meetings of the Physiological, Biochemical and Phar- 

 macological Societies, at the same time and place (with successful 

 Joint scientific sessions, and delightful smokers and dinners a recur- 

 rent feature), have kept the idea and desirability of federation 

 prominently to the f ore. 



It was apparent, however, during the period from 1908 to 191 1 

 inclusive, that influential members of the Physiological Society en- 

 tertained the hope that the Physiological, Biochemical and Pharma- 

 cological Societies might be merged into a greater Physiological 

 Society. During the annual meetings in Baltimore, in 191 1, this 

 hope was so frankly, openly and effectively stated that dissenting 

 biochemists, among them founders of the Biochemical Society, made 

 it evident, with equal candor and force, that such a plan would not 

 be consummated if they could prevent it. Referring editorially to 

 this matter two years ago we said, generally but none the less 

 earnestly :^ 



The Biochemical Bulletin is an ardent believer in biological 

 chemistry as a science and an earnest advocate of it as a profession. 

 We favor the continued independent existence of the American Society 

 of Biological Chemists. Any movement intended to effect a merger of 

 the American Society of Biological Chemists with any other Organiza- 

 tion to the detriment of biological chemistry as a profession would 

 be opposed openly and candidly on these pages. . . . Five years ago 

 when the American Society of Biological Chemists was organized, Pro- 

 fessor Abel made a satisfying public Statement of the reasons why 

 biological chemists should perfect an independent professional Organ- 

 ization. We commend Professor Abel's statement now to the attention 



^Editorial: Biochemical Bulletin, 191 i, i, p. 364. 



