The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-02

 physician, and has done excellent work for the elevatian of the profession in America.
 For time the clinic seemed to drag be- hind the advance of surgery. This was due to a general lack of knowledge as to causation. Now this is made speciality, and today the aim of medical science is to prevent disease rather than to get what salvage Is possible from human wreckage. Origins and the nature of infections have become the subject of exhaustive and ef- fective research. Bacteriology has &C., complshed more in the directiong of pre- vention In the last thirty years than was accomplished in the preceding three cen- turtles. It has eliminated the factor of un- certainty in the prevention of many epi- denies, and has established experimental research as a reliable court of last resort. The miscorscope is no longer scientists s toy but an instrument used with preci- sion. The germ theory was first merely a theory, next 1t was a working hypothe- ss but now 1t Is a demonstrable fact.
 Formerly physician who had a new theory as to causation or the cure of q disease was dependent largely upon his own resources. At present the federal government makes ready response to any effort upon the part of scientists to de- termine origins of epidemcs and discover means of prevention. The American gov ernment has built in Manila what Is doubtless the finest laboratory ever con- structed by any country in colony or dependency. The building and all appn- ances are modern in every respect. From this laboratory every conceivable sort of investigation may be conducted. There is whole menagerie, including horses, cattle, monkeys, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigeons, chickens, etc., which are used for experimental purposes. The sheds where the animals are kept are fly-proof and so clean that one could well spread his dinner on the spotless cement floors.
 American scientists are now studying the cause of disease and the means of prevention in all countries, and 1t is con- fidently believed by many physicians that the time will come when we will look back upon the ravages of tuberculosis as we now look back upon those of smallpox. Typhoid fever, once considered unavoid- able, and regarded by some physicians as a benefit to the system in the event of recovery, is now known to be a pre-, ventable disease, due to a germ com muncated by impure food or beverages taken into the mouth The discovery that yellow fever Is communicated by the mos quito has greatly simpified the fight against that plague.
 Great progress has been made in the use of medicines. Physicians have thrown away many useless drugs, and those that are retained are used with more precision. Greater value is now placed upon sys- tematie baths gymnastics and massage as aids to the art of healing. Sanitation also plays a prominent part in the pre- venton of disease and America leads the world in sanitary appliances Specializing has also made practice more precise, and general practitioners do not hesitate to turn patients over to the surgeon as soon as it becomes apparent that their cases are not curable by drugs The advance of medical science within the next half century will be along the line of general prevention of disease by means of hy- giene, sanitation and inoculation.
 Tomorrow-American Advance in Sur gery.