VIII. 
ABSTRACT OF PROCEEEINGS. 
Prof. D. H. K. Lee demonstrated the commercial instrument for 
multiple measurement of temperature by means of the thermocouple. 
In doing so he stressed the necessity for understanding the working 
and checking possible errors in the use of even simple instruments. 
Mr. Thomas M. B. Elliott discussed old and modern types of 
Electrocardiographic units. Several makes were explained and the 
galvanometers attached described in detail. The lecturer, by use of 
circuit drawings, showed how the patient was connected to the 
apparatus and the heart beats recorded photographically on a moving 
film. The various portable electrocardiograph units were demonstrated. 
Dr. D. P. Hannaford Schafer indicated the clinical uses of the 
electrocardiograph. He said its chief function was in the interpreta- 
tion of various cardiac rhythmic irregularities and coronary throm- 
bosis. Various mechanisms and rhythmic irregularities and coronary 
occlusion were illustrated by slides. It was mentioned that the 
electrocardiograph had become a great aid to clinical diagnosis, but 
its use is a corollary and not a substitute for a careful history and 
clinical examination of the patient. 
Mr. E. S. Edmiston demonstrated features of a new metallographic 
microscope and briefly explained the technique' of polishing and 
etching metal sections. A number of typical ferrous and non-ferrous 
sections were on view. 
Abstract of Proceedings, 31st May, 1943. 
The Ordinary Monthly Meeting of the Society was held in the 
Department of Geology of the University on Monday, 31st May, with 
the President (Prof. J. Bostock) in the chair. About thirty members 
and friends were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were 
read and confirmed. Dr. D. P. Hannaford Schafer, Mr. Thomas M. B. 
Elliott, and Mr. C. L. Daniels were elected to Ordinary Membership, 
and Dr. Alan Lee was proposed for Ordinary Membership and Mr. 
N. J. de Jersey for Associate Membership. 
A symposium on “Vitamins” was held. Introducing the subject, 
Prof. T. G. H. Jones outlined the extraordinarily rapid rate of develop- 
ment in this field, especially during the last 15 years, as a result of 
close co-operation between chemists, physiologists, and nutrition experts. 
Mr. I. R. Bick discussed the chemistry of the vitamins, pointing 
out that many of them have now been synthesised by the chemist and 
are available commercially. 
Mr. H. J. G. Hines continued the discussion from a physiological 
point of view, and described the function of the vitamins in the human 
and animal systems. 
Dr. 0. S. Hirschfeld said that the practical value of all the 
accumulated knowledge of vitamins lay, not in their use as individual 
substances, but in the enormous advances that have been brought about 
in dietetics, both in health and disease. If we ate a “wholemeal” 
consisting of milk, butter, cheese, meat, green vegetables, fresh fruit, 
and wholemeal bread, not only was there an adequate supply of vitamins 
but also of all essential food factors. 
