THE LABORATORY OF THE LIVING 
ORGANISM. 
ADDRESS TO SECTION B (CHEMISTRY) BY 
M. O, FORSTER, D.Sc., F.B.S.; 
PRESIDENT OF THE SECTION. 
Many and various are the reasons which have been urged, at different 
periods of its history, for stimulating the study of chemistry. In 
recent years these have been either defensive or frankly utilitarian, in 
the latter feature recalling the less philosophic aspects of alchemy ; 
moreover, it is to be feared that a substantial proportion of those who 
have lately hastened to prepare themselves for a chemical career have 
been actuated by this inducement. It is the duty, therefore, of those 
who speak with any degree of experience to declare that the only motive 
for pursuing chemistry which promises anything but profound disap- 
pointment is an affection for the subject sufficiently absorbing to dis- 
place the attraction of other pursuits, Eyen to the young chemist who 
embarks under this inspiration the prospect of success as recognised 
by the world is indeed slender, but, as his knowledge grows and the 
consequent appreciation of our ignorance widens, enthusiasm for the 
beauty and mystery of surrounding nature goes far in compensating for 
the disadvantage of his position. On the other hand, he who has been 
beguiled into embracing chemistry on the sole ground of believing it 
to be a ‘ good thing’ will either desert it expeditiously or almost surely 
starve and shower purple curses upon his advisers. 
In one respect chemistry resembles measles—every boy and girl 
should have it, lest an attack in later life should prove more. serious. 
Moreover, whilst it is not only unnecessary, but most undesirable, to 
present the subject as if every boy and girl were going to be a chemist, 
it is most important to present it in such a manner that every educated 
citizen may realise the intimate part which chemistry plays in his 
daily life. Not only do chemical principles underlie the operations of 
every industry, but every human being—indeed, every living plant and 
animal—is, during each moment of healthy life, a practical organic and 
physical chemist, conducting analytical and synthetical processes of 
the most complex order with imperturbable serenity. No other branch 
of knowledge can appeal for attention on comparable grounds; and 
without suggesting that we should all, individually, acquire sufficient 
chemical understanding fully to apprehend the changes which our 
bodies effect so punctually and so precisely—for this remains beyond 
the power of trained chemists—it may be claimed that an acquaintance 
with the general outlines of chemistry would add to the mental equip- 
ment of our people a source of abundant intellectual pleasure which 
is now unfairly denied them. We have been told that the world shall 
be made a fit place for heroes to live in; but is not the preliminary 
