Dr. Meltzer's Life and Services. 



15 



From the outset, however, his interests were in purely sci- 

 entific subjects. His first publication on the swallowing mechan- 

 ism, with Kronecker, has been mentioned. Shortly after his 

 arrival in this country he published with Professor Welch a paper 

 on the behavior of the red blood corpuscles when shaken with in- 

 different substances. In this connection he was again fortunate, 

 in forming an enduring friendship with Professor Welch, a friend- 

 ship based on mutual respect and devotion to science. This paper 

 was the forerunner of a large number on physiological subjects, too 

 numerous to mention individually, which set a standard for Ameri- 

 can work and served as a stimulus for a great quantity of work by 

 others. 



There is another side of Meltzer's career which should receive 

 special recognition. I refer to his part in shaping and hastening 

 the development of scientific medical work in this country. Al- 

 though the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, known 

 affectionately as the "Meltzer Verein," held his particular interest, 

 he was a leading figure in the organization of most of the present 

 day American societies for medical research. His advice in 

 matters of organization, policy, selection of members, was freely 

 given and its value recognized. Of a highly altruistic spirit, his 

 large experience and good judgment kept him from being im- 

 practical. His progressive point of view in all these matters is 

 clear to one who reads his addresses, generally presidential ones. 

 I quote as an example, extracts from his presidential address de- 

 livered before the Association of American Physicians. "The 

 best physician of the future will be the man who has spent years in 

 studying the methods employed in acquiring knowledge in the 

 pure medical sciences and then in applying all his mental energies 

 to a broad study of disease." "Clinical medicine and medical 

 sciences must be brought closely together and work in harmony; 

 that will assure a steady progress of the science and practice of 

 medicine." "Some older members complain that the papers 

 presented at the meetings are getting above their heads. While 

 this may be a fact, it cannot be made the basis of a complaint. 

 The papers of the program of our annual meeting reflect in general 

 the character of the medical studies which prevail at that period." 



Dr. Meltzer was especially instrumental in bringing about 



