SECTION 20. STUDIES PREPARATORY TO ALL INVESTIGATIONS. 213 



absorbing the conclusions which others have reached. "A Darwin 

 now no sooner propounds original ideas concerning the evolution 

 of living creatures, than those ideas are discussed and illustrated, 

 and applied by naturalists in every part of the world. In former 

 days his discoveries would have been hidden for decades of years 

 in scarce manuscripts, and generations would have passed away 

 before his theory had enjoyed the same amount of criticism and 

 corroboration as it has already received." (Jevons, Principles 

 of Science, p. 575.) 



With the passage of time wide collaboration will become in- 

 creasingly recognised as indispensable in all scientific work, 

 and thereto will probably be added Commissions of Experts 

 who will offer advice and final criticism. An incalculable waste 

 obtains in private adventures of a scientific character, and it 

 is only consistent to demand that if truth be a collective pro- 

 duct, it should be arrived at by systematic co-operation. In the 

 place of the present-day motto "One man, six books", there 

 ought to be the device "Six men, one book", and such volumes, 

 not too bulky ones either, should cover much ground, embracing 

 preferably a substantial part of some subject or science. It ought 

 not to. be left to the undiscriminating fates to determine who 

 should initiate or continue a line of investigation, nor should 

 an individual toil for years without impartially examining the 

 labours of others and without soliciting and receiving from 

 many competent quarters the soundest advice, assistance, and 

 criticism. 



Right to the end of the eighteenth century, and even beyond, 

 scurvy caused terrible havoc among the seafaring population. 

 Thousands and tens of thousands succumbed to this loathsome 

 scourge. Yet already in 1734 Bachstrom correctly diagnosed its 

 cause: 



"From want of proper attention to the history of the scurvy, its 

 causes have been generally, though wrongfully, supposed to 

 be cold in northern climates, sea-air, the use of salt-meats, etc., 

 whereas this evil is solely owing to a total abstinence from 

 fresh vegetable food and greens ; which is alone the true primary 

 cause of the disease. And where persons, either through neglect 

 or necessity, do refrain for a considerable time from eating the 

 fresh fruits of the earth and greens, no age, no climate or soil 

 are exempted from its attack. Other secondary causes may 

 likewise concur, but recent vegetables are found alone effectual 

 to preserve the body from this malady; and most speedily to 

 cure it, even in a few days, when the case is not rendered 

 desperate by the patients' being dropsical or consumptive." 

 (Quoted in Report on ... Vitamines, p. 38.) 



For those on the high seas the above advice may have seemed 

 a counsel of perfection. However, the appropriate remedy was 

 also not unknown. "Lind recounts the tragic history of four 

 ships which sailed from England to Bombay in April 1600, 



