﻿PHYSIOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
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sively to it. In the interest of teaching, however, such a division is less desirable because morphological facts are of interest to the medical student only when considered in connection with living processes. This consideration has prevented the transfer of elementary instruction in histology and microscopic anatomy to another institute.
Bacteriology
It is sometimes thought that- bacteriology concerns only the hygienist and pathologist. Bacteria, however, are also of interest to the physiologist. In the first place, millions are found in the intestinal tract of a healthy man, and, secondly—and this is of even greater importance—the physiologist must frequently reckon with bacteria as unwished-for guests which often form a disturbing element in his investigations. The lower organisms, found everywhere in the air, infect the body-fluids with which he works, feed and multiply at the expense of these fluids, and even secrete various substances modifying their composition.
It is necessary, therefore, to keep these lower organisms away from the fluids, and to do this efficiently, the worker ought to have at his disposal a room especially adapted for this purpose and provided with the usual appliances required for the study of infectious diseases and their prevention.
Of the many investigations in physiology which have to be carried out by sterile methods, mention may be made of the study of enzymes which are found in great variety in the cells and fluids of the body, and are daily becoming of more importance to biology. Another example is the production of antibodies. The mechanism of these antibodies is extremely complicated, especially when they are formed by bacteria. The substances playing a part in this process are of many kinds and it is only with great difficulty that they can be obtained in a free and pure state. It is advisable to introduce the simpler substances into the body, and thus turn the problem into one of a chemicophysiological nature. The conclusion is that serum therapeutics and immunity, which are virtually based on physio-
logical reactions, certainly concern the physiologist as much as they do the pathologist and hygienist.
RESEARCH
As regards the principles that have guided research work in this institute for some ten years or more, it should be noted, as has already been pointed out, that physiology proper, physiological chemistry, and histology have all been brought together under a single professorship. Every physiological investigation must take these two allied sciences into account. In general it can be said that the aim has been to approach physiological problems from the chemical and physicochemical side, keeping in mind at the same time histological physiology, that is to say, whatever the histological picture as it varies during the course of the physiological experiment can teach the physiologist concerning the function of the organ studied. A number of publications that have appeared since the erection of the institute bear witness to this trend.
PERSONNEL
The scientific staff consists of the Director, a head of department (lecturer in general biology), a conservator, two assistants, and three voluntary assistants who help with the laboratory and classwork of the students, the rest of their time being devoted to research work of their own. All their time is given to teaching and research. There is also an assistant for research and administrative work only.
The technical staff consists of four well-trained men, two of whom are detailed for work in the instrument shop and are in charge of various apparatus, and two who do work of a clerical nature and give technical help in experiments. There are, besides, a farm-laborer, a charwoman, and two apprentices.
BUDGET
Professional staff.............. f22,500
Technical staff.................. 12,510
General maintenance and research. 13,996
Total ...................... f49,006
Received for Publication December 16, 1924