498 EVOLUTION OF MODERN SCIENTIFIC LABORATORIES. 



important results to be derived from the application of the experimental 

 method to the study of vital phenomena had been demonstrated first, 

 and most signally, by Harvey, and after him by many experimenters. 

 The fecundity of exact experimentation by physical and chemical 

 methods applied to the phenomena of life had been shown by the clas- 

 sical researches of Lavoisier on respiration and animal heat. Magendie 

 had entered upon that remarkable scientific career which entitles him 

 to be regarded as the founder of modern experimental physiology, 

 pathology, and pharmacology. 



In 1812, G-ruithuisen, who, after the custom of the times, filled an 

 encyclopedic chair, being professor in Munich of physics, chemistry, 

 zootomy, anthropology, and later of astronomy, published an article 

 advocating the establishment of physiological institutes. In 1823, Pur- 

 kinje, one of the most distinguished physiologists of this century, 

 accepted the professorship of physiology in Breslau, this being the first 

 independent chair of physiology in any German university. In 1821, 

 Purkinje succeeded in establishing a physiological laboratory, which 

 therefore antedates by one year Liebig's chemical laboratory in Giessen, 

 although it can not be said to have exercised so great an influence upon 

 the organization of scientific laboratories in general as did the latter. 

 In 1840, Purkinje obtained a separate building for his laboratory. 



With two or three exceptions, all of the separate physiological labora- 

 tories worthy of the name have been established since the middle of 

 the present century. Bernard, that prince of experimenters, worked 

 in a damp, small cellar, one of those wretched Parisian substitutes for 

 a laboratory which he has called "the tombs of scientific investiga- 

 tors." There can be no greater proof of the genius of Bernard than 

 the fact that he was able to make his marvelous discoveries under such 

 obstacles and with such meager appliances. France was long in sup- 

 plying her scientific men with adequate laboratory facilities, but no 

 more unbiased recognition of the value and significance of the German 

 laboratory system can be found than in the reports of Lorain, in 1868, 

 and of Wurtz, in 1870, based upon personal study of the construction 

 and organization of German laboratories. 



Of modern physiological laboratories, the one which has exerted the 

 greatest and most fruitful influence is unquestionably that of the late 

 Professor Ludwig in Leipzig. This unequaled position it has won by 

 the general plan of its organization, its admirable equipment, the num- 

 ber and importance of the discoveries there made, its development of 

 exact methods of experimentation, the personal character and genius 

 of its director, and the number of experimenters there trained from all 

 parts of the civilized world. 



To-day every properly equipped medical school has its physiological 

 laboratory. This department is likely to continue to hold its place as 

 the best representative of exact experimental work in any medical 

 science. A good knowledge of physiology is the best corrective of 

 pseudoscientific, irrational theories and practice in medicine. 



