PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION 



Despite the war, active investigations in the chemical problems of 

 disease have continued, even in those countries most deeply involved 

 in the conflict. Although some of the later publications of foreign 

 countries have not been directly accessible, but few have not been avail- 

 able at least through abstracts, and it is believed that most of the 

 literature of importance, within the scope of this book, has been con- 

 sidered in its revision, although the rule previously followed of quot- 

 ing only from the original articles has of necessity been violated in 

 several instances. The new additions to our knowledge in the three 

 years since the second edition was issued have been so numerous that 

 it has again been necessary to reprint the entire work. Several sub- 

 jects have been largely rewritten, especially Gout, Specificity of Im- 

 munological Reactions, Anaphylaxis, Icterus, Acidosis, Diabetes and 

 Uremia. New sections have been added on the Abderhalden Reaction, 

 Specificity, Chemical Basis of Growth, Atrophy, and the Pressor 

 Bases, as well as many briefer additions. As previously, every effort 

 has been made to make the discussion of each topic as brief as con- 

 sistent with reasonable clearness and completeness. Where new 

 articles including older references have been quoted, the latter have, 

 in most instances, been omitted from the book. 



Again I must express my indebtedness to the several colleagues 

 who have been so kind as to read over various sections of the book and 

 to help me with their suggestions; and also to the members of my 

 Department who have helped me so generously with the proof reading, 

 especially Dr. Lydia ]\I. De Witt and Miss Harriet F. Holmes. 



Dr. R. T. Woodyatt has kindly revised the chapter on Diabetes, 

 which he contributed to the second edition. Since that edition was 

 printed much valuable information on the subject of carbohydrate 

 metabolism has been contributed from Dr. Woodyatt 's own labora- 

 tory, and through his new method for accurately timed and measured 

 intravenous injections the way has been opened for many advances in 

 the study of metabolism under both normal and pathological condi- 

 tions. 



H. G. W. 



Chicago, III., November, 1917. 



