158 Fallacies in Iron Therapy [Sept. 



ganic Compounds of iron. Furthermore, it has been the experience 

 of clinicians that in the treatment of anemias the inorganic iron 

 preparations have not been surpassed, perhaps not equaled, by the 

 numerous organic Compounds on the market. It is highly signifi- 

 cant that our leading internists remain loyal to such preparations as 

 the tincture of ferric chlorid, reduced iron and Blaud's pill in prefer- 

 ence to the organic preparations. 



Would not iron therapy be greatly simplified and improved by 

 inculcating in the Student mind a more critical attitude toward the 

 fanciful claims of manufacturers for their numerous organic 

 iron Compounds? 



We hear much now-a-days, among biologists and a few chem- 

 ists, about purin "hodies" and acetone " hodies," and many other 

 "bodies," when certain groups of substances are discussed. What 



is the difference between a substance and a body ? 



Shall substances p^^^j^ ^^^^ weight and both occupy space. In 

 be called bodies? =" . 



the case of a body, however, the shape is a fun- 

 damental feature, whereas with a substance such is not the case. 

 A body has a discernible and particular shape. Any given amount 

 of aceton has a definite mass, but what is the shape of acetone 

 or of any of the substances related to it? 



On another page (57) we give a brief account of the Organiza- 

 tion, over a year ago, of the Columbia University BiochemicalAsso- 

 ciation. The Columbia "biochemical family" is animated by the 



amiable desire to work unitedly for the advance- 

 Columbia University ^^^^ ^^ biological chemistry. It is proceeding 



ßiocllGllllC3.1 aSSOC ^ X <-« 



cheerfully and optimistically in this direction with 

 its plans — among them the publication of this Bulletin. We hope 

 to have and to hold the approval and good will of all who cherish 

 the advancement of science. 



It is our present Intention to publish, in an early issue of 

 the Bulletin, a füll list of the members of the Biochemical Asso- 

 ciation. The former workers in the Columbia biochemical labora- 

 tories are so numerous that, thus far, we have found it impossible 

 to get into communication with all of them. 



