CHEMICAL ASPECTS OP LIFE HOPKINS 149 



study. It has already produced one line of evidence to show that 

 nurture can assist nature to an extent not freely admitted a few 

 years ago. That is a subject which I wish I could pursue. I cannot 

 myself doubt that various lines of evidence, all of which should be 

 profoundly welcome, are pointing in the same direction. 



Allow me just one final reference to another field of nutritional 

 studies. Their great economic importance in animal husbandry calls 

 for full recognition. Just now agricultural authorities are becoming 

 acutely aware of the call for a better control of the diseases of ani- 

 mals. Together these involve an immense economic loss to the farm- 

 ers, and therefore to the country. Although, doubtless, its influence 

 should not be exaggerated, faulty nutrition plays no small share in 

 accounting for the incidence of some among these diseases, as re- 

 searches carried out at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen and else- 

 where are demonstrating. There is much more of such work to be 

 done with great profit. 



VII 



In every branch of science the activity of research has greatly 

 increased during recent years. This all will have realized, but only 

 those who are able to survey the situation closely can estimate the 

 extent of that increase. It occurred to me at one time that an ap- 

 praisement of research activities in this country, and especially the 

 organization of State-aided research, might fittingly form a part of 

 my address. The desire to illustrate the progress of my own sub- 

 ject led me away from that project. I gave some time to a survey, 

 however, and came to the conclusion, among others, that from 8 to 10 

 individuals in the world are now engaged upon scientific investiga- 

 tions for every one so engaged 20 years ago. It must be remembered, 

 of course, that not only has research endowment greatly increased in 

 America and Europe, but that Japan, China, and India have entered 

 the field and are making contributions to science of real importance. 

 It is sure that, whatever the consequences, the increase of scientific 

 knowledge is at this time undergoing a positive acceleration. 



Apropos, I find difficulty as today's occupant of this important 

 scientific pulpit in avoiding some reference to impressive words 

 spoken by my predecessor which are still echoed in thought, talk, and 

 print. In his wise and eloquent address at York, Sir Alfred Ewing 

 reminded us with serious emphasis that the command of Nature has 

 been put into man's hand before he knows how to command himself. 

 Of the dangers involved in that indictment he warned us; and we 

 should remember that General Smuts also sounded the same note of 

 warning in London. 



Of science itself it is, of course, no indictment. It may be thought 

 of rather as a warning signal to be placed on her road : " Dangerous 



