552 CRILE— THEORY OF PROCESSES. 



batteries; it should warn the cHnician of the prime necessity of 

 regulating the activity of the thyroid and of guarding the integrity 

 of the liver and of the adrenals as essential to the maintenance of 

 the integrity of the brain cells, and it should suggest the importance 

 of assuring an adequate supply of oxygen for the maintenance of 

 the internal respiration; it should emphasize the need of an un- 

 failing continuous supply of fresh water; it should lead the clinician 

 to protect his patient against the external influences which drive 

 the organism excessively and consequently impair the electric cells. 

 For the past two years the measures employed in the Lakeside 

 clinic have been based upon this conception, and in accordance there- 

 with, we have adopted five main principles as our guide in the pro- 

 tection and restoration of our patients: 



1. The organism needs an abundant supply of fresh water. 



2. There must be an abundant supply of oxygen delivered to 

 the cells for the maintenance of the internal respiration. 



3. The temperature, both local and general, must be kept at or 

 near the normal. 



4. An abundance of mental and physical rest and an abundance 

 of sleep are essential. 



5. The physical structure of the cells must not be impaired by 

 the trauma of the operation or by the anesthetic. 



By the application of these measures the two essential factors 

 in the maintenance of an electro-chemical system are assured, pro- 

 vided disintegration has not progressed too far for restoration to be 

 possible ; that is, the acid-alkali balance of the cells is maintained 

 or restored and their internal respiration is protected. 



As our application of these principles has extended with our 

 increasing knowledge of the laws upon which they are based, the 

 mortality rate in our clinic has been diminished correspondingly, 

 and operability has been extended. 



The findings of the laboratory and the everyday experience in 

 the crucible of the clinic are in harmony with the theory that the 

 organism of man and animals is an electro-chemical mechanism. 



