INTRODUCTION Vll 



urged to curtail investigations based on other views, their prosecution 

 can be heartily applauded. 



This is the view that the writer believes that Dr. Kolmer has had 

 in mind in his presentation of the subject as here set down. It is cer- 

 tainly true of the chapters that the present writer has had opportunity 

 of examining. In such a sense, therefore, the work is urged on the ap- 

 preciation of the student, whether a laboratory worker or a mere seeker 

 of knowledge. 



I have often been asked to what extent I believe it profitable to pre- 

 sent the subject to the undergraduate student. I do not hesitate to 

 answer that so far as the roster of the medical curriculum will permit, 

 the laboratory demonstrations and exercises should form a part of the 

 required course; and that, with all due caution to emphasize the fact 

 that our present theory is not known to be final, and is offered merely 

 tentatively, the verbal picture of the subject should be outlined before 

 these beginners. To form some conception is necessary; and it is better, 

 provided the mind be kept receptive, to follow a certain theory, even if 

 it is unproved, than to do nothing at all or to work in confusion. Our 

 American medical curriculum for undergraduates is so crowded with 

 absolute essentials that the present subject is habitually neglected, save 

 for a rapid lecture outline; this is an injustice to the student and to 

 American medicine. I have tried to minimize this by providing, 

 through Dr. Kolmer's aid, a reasonable laboratory course in the essentials 

 of the branch to volunteer classes at first, at hours that did not interfere 

 with the regular curriculum at present during periods open to elec- 

 tion. Nevertheless, the subject, influencing as it does every branch of 

 medical practice, must take its place with other commendable additions 

 to the required schedule. That this can be done only by lengthening 

 the course of study, either in the annual session or by adding a year to 

 our present four-year course, is obvious, and to that end we are rapidly 

 approaching. 



ALLEN J. SMITH. 



