THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 21 
study. It has already produced one line of evidence to show that 
Nurture can assist Nature to an extent not freely admitted a few 
years ago. That is a subject which I wish I could pursue. I cannot 
myself doubt that various lines of evidence, all of which should be 
profoundly welcome, are pointing in the same direction. 
Allow me just one final reference to another field of nutritional 
studies. Their great economic importance in animal husbandry calls 
for full recognition. Just now agricultural authorities are becoming 
acutely aware of the call for a better control of the diseases of animals. 
Together these involve an immense economic loss to the farmers, and 
therefore to the country. Although, doubtless, its influence should 
not be exaggerated, faulty nutrition plays no small share in accounting 
for the incidence of some among these diseases, as researches carried 
out at the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen and elsewhere are demon- 
strating. There is much more of such work to be done with great 
profit. 
VII. 
In every branch of science the activity of research has greatly 
increased during recent years. ‘This all will have realised, but only 
those who are able to survey the situation closely can estimate the 
extent of that increase. It occurred to me at one time that an 
appraisement of research activities in this country, and especially the 
organisation of State-aided research, might fittingly form a part of 
my address. ‘The desire to illustrate the progress of my own sub- 
ject led me away from that project. I gave some time to a survey 
however, and came to the conclusion, among others, that from eight 
to ten individuals in the world are now engaged upon scientific 
investigations for every one so engaged twenty years ago. It must 
be remembered, of course, that not only has research endowment 
greatly increased in America and Europe, but that Japan, China, and 
even India have entered the field and are making contributions to 
science of real importance. It is sure that, whatever the conse- 
quences, the increase of scientific knowledge is at this time under- 
going a positive acceleration. 
Apropos, I find difficulty as to-day’s occupant of this important 
scientific pulpit in avoiding some reference to impressive words 
spoken by my predecessor which are still echoed in thought, talk and 
print. In his wise and eloquent address at York Sir Alfred Ewing 
reminded us with serious emphasis that the command of Nature has 
been put into man’s hand before he knows how to command himself. 
Of the dangers involved in that indictment he warned us; and we 
should remember that General Smuts also sounded the same note 
of warning in London. 
Of Science itself it is, of course, noindictment. It may be thought 
