191 1] William J. Gies 49 



So it may be with certain courses in nutrition and dietetics. Our 

 study and teaching of these important matters should not be con- 

 fined to the accumulation and Interpretation of general statistics, 

 but should include due attention to the dynamic factors in metabo- 

 lism — the individual cells and the tissues, under both normal and 

 pathological conditions. 



Such an elementary course as the one I have outlined, if based 

 on adequate preliminary training in physics, chemistry and biology, 

 offers much to be desired in this connection. I am glad to add, 

 in conclusion, that my experience at Columbia with courses of this 

 kind has given cumulative emphasis to these opinions and con- 

 victions. 



DISCUSSION 



Miss Kinne : I should like to ask Dr. Gies where he would place 

 his course in such a scheme as Dr. Stiles has presented.^ 



Dr. Gies: It seems to me that, in Dr. Stiles' arrangement of 

 courses, which is a very good one, physiological chemistry should 

 occupy a place beside anatomy and mechanical physiology, or should 

 follow anatomy and mechanical physiology. Naturally all arrange- 

 ments of courses are matters of practical adjustment, and it is a 

 rare thing that any one course can be fitted ideally into a System 

 of courses. I feel that the leading chemical applications to physi- 

 ology should be emphasized in connection with studies of anatomy 

 and mechanical physiology. Aly Statement that physiological 

 chemistry is chemistry applied to physiology might be put in 

 another way — that physiological chemistry is chiefly chemical 

 physiology. I think that, along with anatomy and physiology, 

 chemico-physiological facts and principles should be given due con- 

 sideration — and in a separate laboratory course whenever that can 

 be done. 



Miss Marlatt: I am concerned with the question as to how 

 much of this biological chemistry can be given to students who have 

 not had work in organic chemistry. I should like to ask Dr. Gies' 

 opinion on that matter. 



Dr. Gies: Such a condition offers a very serious predicament. 

 It certainly is true that you cannot satisfactorily teach biological 



^Stiles: Journal of Home Economics, 1910, ii, 393. 



