154 THE MICROSCOPE. 



statement that it alone furnishes sufficient reason for the teaching 

 of microscopic technology in every medical college throughout the 

 land. Roberts in his work on urinary and kidney diseases published 

 some fifteen years ago, in speaking of the "clinical significance of 

 renal epithelium and tube casts states:" ''That the study of their 

 various forms and appearances furnish information of great weight 

 in the diagnosis and prognosis of the different stages and different 

 types of renal or kidney degeneration." 



If space permitted, it could be further shown that the micro- 

 -scope is of considerable value as an aid in ordinary practice. 

 Numerous instances are recorded in which it has furnished informa- 

 tion obtainable by no other means. It would be superfluous to cite 

 •cases even if our space permitted. The books are plentifully 

 supplied with them, and but few intelligent practitioners who 

 use the microscope, but can give instances of its value in 

 their practice. However, I must say here that the usual hasty, 

 spasmodic observations which are so often made with the instru- 

 ment, are generally of little value in indicating the course of a dis- 

 ease. Systematic observations, covering a longer or shorter 

 period, in many instances commend themselves to the reasoning 

 practitioner. 



The ridiculing of microscopic work, which is often noticed, by 

 many would-be savants, is generally uncalled for, and has in numer- 

 ous instances reflected on the reputations of these "wiseacres." It 

 may be that the dilettanteism so frequently associated with the use 

 of the microscope, is the cause of the general feeling of distrust 

 which exists in certain circles regarding the value of microscopical 

 investigation. This, coupled with the ebulition of latent jealousy 

 which is known to often exist, and sometimes appears, between 

 workers in different fields of science, has in numerous instances 

 •caused remarks derogatory to the results of microscopic enquiry. 



* Dr. Lionel S. Beale relates an instance where a royal commis- 

 sion "The Cattle Plague Commissioners," expressed the opinion 

 that the poison of that highly contagious malady was probably 

 matter of a kind which is and always will be undiscoverable by the 

 microscope and that chemistry ere long, or words to that effect, would 

 probably solve the problem. Dr. Beale adds that "at the very time 

 these sentences were written the poisonous matter had been made 



*Ste " Diseased Germs" by Lionel S. Beale, p. ^-4. 



