University Reform. 817 



sition of parts, but a complex organic whole ; and 

 the different branches of science are so closely 

 allied that, without a general knowledge of all, 

 we cannot have a complete comprehension of any. 

 From the lack of a well-defined knowledge of 

 the boundaries which divide chemistry from phys- 

 iology, many eminent chemists of the present 

 century, including such men as Raspail, Berthol- 

 let, and even Liebig, have attempted to treat 

 physiological questions by methods of investiga- 

 tion applicable only to chemical questions. There 

 has thus arisen an ill-digested mass of specula- 

 tion, embracing some inquiries which are purely 

 chemical, and others which are purely physiolog- 

 ical, to which has been given the name of Or- 

 ganic Chemistry. The amount of misdirected 

 theorizing which resulted from this confusion of 

 subjects and methods it would be no light task 

 to estimate. The doctrine of definite proportions 

 was assailed, the distinction between ultimate and 

 immediate analysis was lost sight of, and theories 

 of respiration and animal heat were propounded, 

 whose rare beauty and artistic symmetry of con- 

 ception rendered only the more palpable and de- 

 plorable their extreme logical deficiency. This 

 example, out of many which might be given, will 

 suffice to illustrate our present position, that uni- 



