186 THE LIFE OF PASTEUR 



spoke of the growing close connection between medicine andi 

 physiology. Then, with his constant anxiety to incite students 

 to enthusiasm, he recommended them to read the lectures de- 

 livered by Bernard at the College de France. Speaking of the 

 Introduction to the Study of Experimental MediciTie, Pasteur 

 wrote: *'A long commentary would be necessary to present 

 this splendid work to the reader; it is a monument raised to 

 honour the method which has constituted Physical and 

 Chemical Science since Galileo and Newton, and which M. 

 Bernard is trying to introduce into physiology and pathology. 

 Nothing so complete, so profound, so luminous has ever been 

 written on the true principles of the difficult art of experimenta- 

 tion. . « . This book will exert an immense influence on medical 

 science, its teaching, its progress, its language even.'* Pasteur 

 took pleasure in adding to his own tribute praise from other 

 sources. He quoted, for instance, J. B. Dumas* answer to 

 Duruy, who asked him, *'What do you think of this great 

 physiologist?" **He is not a great physiologist; he is Physi- 

 ology itself." **I have spoken of the man of science," con- 

 tinued Pasteur. **I might have spoken of the man in every- 

 day life, the colleague who has inspired so many with a solid 

 friendship, for I should seek in vain for a weak point in M. 

 Bernard; it is not to be found. His personal distinction, the 

 noble beauty of his physiognomy, his gentle kindliness attract 

 at first sight; he has no pedantry, none of a scientist's usual 

 faults, but an antique simplicity, a perfectly natural and un- 

 affected manner, while his conversation is deep and full of ideas 

 , • ." Pasteur, after informing the public that the gravex 

 symptoms of Bernard's disease had now disappeared, ended 

 thus: **May the publicity now given to these thoughts and 

 feelings cheer the illustrious patient in his enforced idleness, 

 and assure him of the joy with which his return will be wel* 

 corned by his friends and colleagues." 



The very day after this article reached him (November 19, 

 1860) Bernard wrote to Pasteur: **My dear friend, — I re- 

 ceived yesterday the Moniteur containing the superb article 

 you have written about me. Your great praise indeed makes 

 me proud, though I feel I am yet very far from the goal I 

 would reach. If I return to health, as I now hope I may do, I 

 think I shall find it possible to pursue my work in a more 

 methodical order and with more complete means of demonstra- 

 tion, better indicating the general idea towards which my 



