2 MAN AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM 



The conception that the struggle for existence is 

 the sole determinant of the outer form and inner proc- 

 esses of man's body gives a new meaning to the prob- 

 lems of disease. Each organ, each function assumes 

 a new, often a tragic, value in the light of its role in the 

 drama of adaptation. The inadequacy of some of 

 nature's methods and the perfection of ' others are 

 shown in these complex and unbalanced problems of 

 health and disease, the solution of which may be 

 attained by medical skill when properly equipped 

 through study of the part played by each mechanism 

 in the history of the species. 



The impetus which the theory of evolution has im- 

 parted within the last sixty years to biology, to chemis- 

 try, to physics, to geology, to astronomy, in fact, to 

 every natural science, has never before been equaled. 

 In view of this fact that most sciences have availed 

 themselves fully of the opportunity offered by the 

 doctrine of evolution to coordinate their data, it seems 

 odd that medicine should have lagged so long to 

 find inspiration in its revelations. 



The tardiness of the medical profession in making 

 use of the theory of evolution has not been because 

 that profession did not need a coordinating working 

 basis. The delay may perhaps be traceable to the 

 fact that, unlike other scientific studies, medicine has 

 been closely associated in every age with the every- 

 day life of the people, its prime object being to relieve 

 suffering. The public has always demanded definite, 

 finished results, and, as scientists know, definite and 

 final conclusions are usually incompatible with true 

 science. It has never been possible for medicine to 



