48 Home Economics and Biological Chemistry [Sept. 



I have outlined, every problem is viewed from its relation to the 

 central fact that the cells are the units of structure and the centers 

 or agents of biological power and activity, one of my main expecta- 

 tions has been realized. It is customary in many quarters, in the 

 study and exposition of the data of normal metabolism, to deal 

 largely in nutritional and dietetic generalities — to consider the body 

 as a whole, but to disregard the chemical peculiarities of its parts 

 and to ignore the eccentricities of local (tissue) chemical behavior. 

 Nutrition and dietetics should be studied and taught, in connection 

 with related subjects pertaining to Home Economics, for the pur- 

 pose of establishing healthy dietary customs, and thereby preventing 

 malnutrition and consequent disease; and also in order to provide 

 information leading to the relief, and if possible to the eure, of 

 metabolic disorders by adequate nutritional readjustments. Such 

 study and Instruction should be based on the füllest knowledge of 

 the peculiarities of cell chemistry in general and of tissue chemistry 

 in particular, both in health and disease. 



I am sure you will agree with me when I say that investigations 

 of the kinds and quantities of food supplies shipped into Boston, 

 and inquiries regarding the general selection and preparation of 

 such materials, the main Channels of their distribution and the 

 methods of their transportation to the various parts of the city, 

 together with determinations of the nature and peculiarities of 

 Boston's sewage and sewage System, would fail to afford correct 

 or adequate conceptions of Boston's dietary characteristics or re- 

 quirements. We should have to learn much, besides, about the 

 people of Boston in order to understand and appreciate their col- 

 lective dietary needs. We might ascertain many general facts per- 

 taining to the city and its inhabitants, in times of peace as well as 

 in periods of disorder, and yet, if we learned little or nothing about 

 the people of Boston as individuals, if we ignored their individual 

 characteristics and activities and needs, as well as the occupations, 

 customs and other peculiarities of the various groups of Citizens, 

 our deductions regarding the kinds and amounts of food needed 

 daily in Boston would be decidedly imperfect, and our conclusions 

 on ways and means for maintaining the nutritional welfare of all 

 the people in Boston \vould be largely guesswork. 



