Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-03-13
Alefauoria 6ax&tte
WEDNESDAY, EVENING, MARCH Ii.
An Eccentric Scientist.

The last European mail brings some addition
al details concerning the career Of Paul Bernard,
one Of the most famous Of modern physlolo'
| eists, whose death in Paris, on the 10th OF
February, was noticed at the time OF its occur
coco 10 cur columns In carly life Bernard
| was assistant to Lionese uack.drugslst' re-
powncd as the manufacturer OF a panacea called
Thcriakon. medicamcnt made only on'e
wear after the original recipe derived from
Mithridates. Whenever there WAS found IN
the shop anything uusalcabIc or unknown 1t
was put aside carefully to enter into the COM
position of the ncxtyear's Thcrakon. Quitting
Lyons, young Bernard went to Paris to pccom9
an author. He brought with HIM tragedy III
rhyme, "Charcs VI" twas detestabIc, amt
NJ. Saint Marc Girardlo told him so' SO inc
young man abandoned hopes OF literary u'S'
iiucIio4 A friend, who was stage struck, learn'
ed tho tragedy by heart, went mad and dled,
and thus perished the drama Of "Charlcs W..
In 1885 Bernard began the study OF medicine;
in lS4l the lllustrious Magendle chose him as
his assistant in preparing tho experiments Tor
his lectures on experimental medicine. Taking
his degree in 1913 it was not till 1888 That
Bernard made up his mind to devote himself
to physiology, surgery having hitherto had
greater attractions for him. In 1854 no be-
came Professor Of General Physiology at
the Sorbonnd, and year later replaced Ma
ccndic 10 the chair OF Experimental Nedl:
cine. He Insisted on having as small
and meagerly furnished laboratory, as no
had" had in humber days at the college 40
France, though tho faculty had created tho Dc
partment for him and would have Delighted IL
realize his wishes in the matter OF apparatus;
he even bought his own frogs every morning
and carried them TO tho college in his pockets.
Nav, when he fascinated the Emperor at Com
piegne, and tho Minister Of Public instruction.
WAS sent with an imperial ordor TO do Tor hini
all that he would havo done, regardless OF eA-
penso Bernard demandcd-a young man t'
make the preparations for his experiments. Ho
il was who first fully demonstrated the process
es Of digestion, and proved that tho pancroatlr
Juice was the agent which digested tatty sub
stances and that the blood on entering the liver
POSSESSES no sugar, but has an abundance Oh
leaving it, discovery since turned TO great ac-
count in the treatment Of diabetes. With hini
il is feared dies accurate knowledge OF noVo.
and vastly important discovery on whicn nc ha'i
long been engaged. though 1t is said that he h"d
contided tho result OF his experiments. NJ least
in part to Professor Lesseguo and DIR. BoitheIol;
The grast Psychologist was the mo0t modest OF
men To Cousin, who criod lnpatlently hs ho
found tha. every answer of the physologist was
guarded with tiny point of interrogation.
'Then there is nothing you know to tue very
bottom p he mado tho memorable answer, III
| new ono thing to tho bottom l should krcw
cord his creed: 'In science Ns in politics, to al
firm anything is to makoa following; Dut 40
not like to stlirm. DOubt-questionlng that Is
wsdom's Dillow."-EHiM Ietryr0ph.