152 THE MICROSCOPE. 



copists, look for a solution of the more exact nature of disease and 

 the more effective methods for its prevention and cure." 



As to the value of the microscope as an aid in medical practice, 

 we can find many satisfactory references. One of the ablest physi- 

 cians* of this city (Buffalo) certifies in the following terms to its 

 value: 



" A physician must either be himself a microscopist, or must 

 have almost daily recourse to one, for the necessary information to 

 practice his profession correctly and conscientiously, not to say 

 successfully. What the microscope has done and is doing for medi- 

 cine can only be alluded to. By it alone we observe the minute 

 homogeneous and wonderful processes by which the human body is 

 evolved from a simple cell to the complete structure we call man. 

 By its information we recognize diseases as local and parasitic, 

 which for ages have been considered constitutional. By it, the 

 various secretions and excretions of the body are examined, and it 

 alone often determines whether important organs are functionally or 

 structurally disordered. * * * * i^ chemistry by 

 determining form, it often enables the examiner to predict probable 

 properties. These things and many others the microscope has done 

 for medical science. How much more it is difficult to surmise." 



Dr. J. G. Richardson, of Philadelphia, in his hand-book of 

 microscopy, estimates that at least one-half of the cases of disease 

 which physicians are called to treat would have some light thrown 

 upon their nature by a careful examination of the urine, blood, 

 sputum, etc., with the microscope. This estimate, I am inclined to 

 think, is too high. 



The editor of the Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal, in a 

 review, states that the study of disease by aid of the microscope has 

 come to be one of the established methods employed at the present 

 time and it is an evidence of progress, etc. 



Many more utterances of similar import to establish the value- 

 of the microscope in practical medicine might be advanced. It 

 may be urged, however, that these citations would carry more weight 

 if of a more specific nature. Dr. Robert Todd in his "Clinical Lec- 

 tures on Certain Diseases of the Urinary Organs," indicates in the 

 following terms the applicability of the microscope in renal com- 



♦Proceeding-s American Society of Microscopists. Buffalo Meeting. Address of welcome. 

 Prof. Thos. F. Rochester, page ig. 



