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SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. LIV. No. 1392 



ward, and office. Investigation can not be 

 done solely from the office desk nor from over 

 the tea cups. 



Science rests on investigation, and investi- 

 gation is measuring. With the modicum of 

 science at his disposal, the busy practitioner 

 is not equipped mentally, nor has he the time 

 nor the technical facilities necessary to deal 

 with the more complex problems of disease. 

 The investigator must needs keep pace with 

 contemporary science, in itself a big under- 

 taking, and must apply it to medical problems 

 as opportunity arises or can be created. As 

 Galileo was engaged in the creation of the 

 sciences of physics and mathematics, Sanc- 

 torius through his assistance was engaged in 

 applying the thermometer and balance, that is, 

 the new instruments of science, to the problems 

 of physiology. This is as it should be. In 

 these days physiologists and physiologic chem- 

 ists at times intervene, but some times as liai- 

 son officers only, between the clinician and 

 pure 'scientists. The field in medicine for the 

 pure scientist is still great, despite the splen- 

 did contributions to medicine which constantly 

 pour forth from the laboratory workers in the 

 fundamental branches of medicine. Closer 

 and more direct points of contact are desirable, 

 more direct intercourse, in order that the 

 problem, as seen by the physician, may be 

 placed first-hand and in its true light before 

 the pure scientists. 



Diffusion of the Spirit. — There are at pres- 

 ent in this country a relatively large number 

 of young men capable of developing into in- 

 vestig:ators. This society has approximately 

 150 members, all of whom are obligated to the 

 diffusion of its principles. As a society, to my 

 mind, we are not even approaching the possi- 

 bilities in diffusing the love of investigation 

 among the younger men. 



Membership in this society entails responsi- 

 bilities. Eligibility for membership is simple. 

 Any practising physician in the United States 

 who has accomplished a meritorious, original 

 investigation and who enjoys an unimpeach- 

 able standing in the profession is eligible. But 

 once a member, the responsibility of a leader 

 is assumed, since one of the obligations im- 



posed upon its members by this society is to 

 be " active in the diffusion of the principles 

 of this society." 



This is a national organization comprizing 

 members from every part of the country. It 

 meets once a year and presents and listens to 

 twenty-five papers. Many younger men are 

 scattered throughout the country who have no 

 access except through abstracts to the pro- 

 ceedings of this society. The founder of this 

 society recognized this truth. He met the situ- 

 ation, however, in his own locality by found- 

 ing the Society of Experimental Biology and 

 Medicine in New York City with a constitu- 

 tion embodying principles identical with ours. 

 The local society functions locally and at- 

 tempts to accomplish locally what we are 

 attempting .nationally. It meets frequently, 

 whereas we meet annually. It reaches those 

 who need its influence most. 



As president of this society I wish to sug- 

 gest that we consider and adopt some plan 

 whereby we can be more effective in the cul- 

 tivation of the spirit of investigation. It 

 might be wise to follow the example of Dr. 

 Meltzer and create subsidiary, local societies 

 of clinical investigation in various medical 

 centers throughout the country, societies which 

 would carry some sort of affiliation with the 

 national society. 



How could such a plan be carried out in 

 Boston, for instance? At the present time 

 each institution entering into consideration 

 has, in all probability, its own society intended 

 for the cultivation of the spirit. "Without dis- 

 turbing their present organization or function, 

 it would be possible to hold joint sessions once 

 a month in the various institutions, as the 

 Boston Society for Clinical Investigation. 

 Such an organization would afford each Bos- 

 ton member an opportunity to attend, to brmg 

 with him his young associates and to meet those 

 of the others, and to diffuse and instil the 

 spirit into the entire group. On a small scale 

 such an organization would afford the beginner 

 the same opportunities and advantages enjoyed 

 by us through membership in this society. By 

 holding the meetings in the various institu- 

 tions, each beginner would be afforded an op- 



