18 NATIONAL TRENDS IN BIOLOGY 



mately, all payments have to be made in the bank of 

 consciousness, the operations of which can only be super- 

 ficially described. Nevertheless, as a horseman desires to 

 have a good mount, so we desire the means of riding 

 through life without being trampled underfoot. Science, 

 if asked, will provide this mount, at least if given suffi- 

 cient notice ahead. Yet we, on our part, must learn to 

 ride."« 



But it must not be forgotten that the scientist, too, has 

 obligations toward his public. Dr. Lewellys Barker speaks 

 in no uncertain terms,^ as did also Dr. Pritchett, President 

 of the Carnegie Foundation, a few years back, on the mat- 

 ter of calling every paper published, scientific. Dr. Barker 

 speaks particularly of medicine and dentistry, but his 

 words may be applied to a good many other fields of work. 

 Speaking of this "pseudoresearch," he says : 

 "The general haste to rush into print with results that 

 are not sound is harmful to both the public and the less 

 well-informed practitioners. The intellect and imagination 

 of the research worker should be of high order, and the 

 work should be under the direction of experienced investi- 

 gators. The mistakes of work so executed will be fewer 

 and less serious than those of workers of less ability and 

 experience. The face of the medical professions generally 

 should be set against pseudoresearch that is irresponsibly 

 undertaken and is inaccurately conducted. It is a degra- 

 dation to science and misleading to the public that the 

 true scientist tries to serve." 



