410 PHYSIOLOGY 



That would be a mistake. We must not cast aside the old methods 

 of chemical analysis and physical investigation. A science must not 

 base its existence upon only one method, as a science only lives as 

 a problem, and the problem of physiology requires the most manifold 

 methods, according to the position of the question at the time. 

 General physiology will only flourish as long as it retains the many- 

 sidedness of its methods and its objects; but as long as it flourishes, 

 O long will physiology retain its connection with the other biologic 

 sciences, and at the same time form the connecting link between 

 biology and mechanics. 



In another direction, also, general physiology seems to be destined 

 to act effectively in reviving old natural relationships, namely, in 

 the realm of medicine. Physiology is one of the daughters of 

 medicine. At first its existence depended on the needs of practical 

 medicine, until Galen, whom we may call the father of scientific 

 physiology, recognized clearly that the complete development of 

 medicine is not possible, if it is not based on the phenomena of nor- 

 mal life. Physiology since his time has always retained more or less 

 close relations to medicine, but has gradually developed itself to an 

 independent science with its own aims. To-day we see the plainest 

 expression of this historic relationship between physiology and 

 medicine, in the fact that in most countries physiology in the uni- 

 versities belongs to the medical faculties. 



The relationship between physiology and medicine has become 

 now closer, now looser. In the last decennium of the past century 

 it has become somewhat looser, but physiology has always retained 

 its place in medical instruction. We find, even in old tradition, the 

 view generally expressed that physiology is one of the bases of 

 medical learning, but a view is now found among many that physi- 

 ology is to a certain degree a luxury, a decorative element of med- 

 ical science. If we examine the average well-educated practicing 

 physician to determine what in reality is of use to him in his know- 

 ledge of physiologic phenomena, we find very little. A few indis- 

 tinct impressions concerning the principal functions of the organs, 

 and a few superficial chemical data which he has himself adapted 

 "so as to make them of use in practice." That is all. Of the actual 

 processes in the organs, tissues, and cells of the body, of the ex- 

 tremely close -and important correlations of different parts which 

 lie at the basis of the preservation of the entire mechanism, he 

 has no idea. In order to reach this result a two or three semes- 

 ters' study of physiology is not required. Actually physiology, 

 apart perhaps from the branch of metabolism, has been overtaken 

 by a certain isolation among the branches of medicine. Why is 

 this? 



Again we see the same cause. For a long time special subjects 



