602 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



beginning of the present century. It extends back, however, for as 

 much as two hundred years, and the literature of the hist fifty years 

 is quite voluminous. From the fact that the subject has been ap- 

 proached from the medical and the physiological, as well as the agri- 

 cultural and nuti'ition standpoints, the papers relating to it are 

 unusually Avidely scattered. 



At an early stage Dr. Forbes' studies naturally led him into the 

 literature, and showed how difficult of access and study it was in its 

 widely diffused condition. With an industry and zeal which deserve 

 to be highly commended he instituted a systematic search for original 

 articles bearing on the subject of investigation, Avhich soon developed 

 into a large undertaking. The assistance of several competent per- 

 sons was obtained in abstracting, and the search Avas organized to be 

 carried on at various libraries and institutions over the country. The 

 work was in active progress for several A^ears, and the bulletin now 

 pu])lished is the result, the data being compiled and digested by Dr. 

 Forbes after it had been assembled from various sources. In scope 

 and size it surpasses all expectations of those who had known of its 

 progress — a volume of seven hundred and fifty pages, with the ab- 

 stracts grouped by topics, accompanied b}^ concise summaries, a bibli- 

 ography of approximately twenty-five hundred titles cited in the text, 

 referring to work ranging in date from 1719 to 1914, and concluding 

 with a detailed index. 



The review will not only aid Dr. Forbes in his studies, but it will 

 be well-nigh indispensable to those engaged in work in this field or 

 who may enter upon it. It will at once take place as a standard 

 work and become a starting point for future investigation in this 

 and related lines. It will serve from now on to make investigation 

 more clearly directed and more effective. It would be surprising if it 

 did not stimulate research in this general subject, for it opens up 

 the field in a most attractive way, making apparent not only the 

 progress which has been attained but the gaps that remain to be 

 filled. 



The publication of this monumental work represents a broad- 

 minded, liberal attitude, which stands for the communitv of interest 

 in investigation and seeks its advancement rather than personal 

 advantage. 



When an investigator takes the pains to collect and digest the 

 literature of his chosen field, as a part of a general progi'am of 

 experimentation in that field, we feel that he has gone at his work 

 aright and commend him for his determination to build upon the 

 foundation laid by the work of others. And when an experiment 

 station not only authorizes the time and other expense for such a 

 review of the past, but in addition publishes it for the benefit of the 



