New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-28
AR. CHARLES II. MAYO writes as
Y follows of French medical miracles
in Worlds Work.:

Science knows no language, no country,
yet the part played by the scientists OF France
In the discovery OF scientific facts as mani
tested in the present great war deserves uni
versal recognition. For the first time IN the
history of the world, war can be maintained
and victory attained through medica! efh-
cheney. Japan, the last country TO accept CIV
ilzation, came nearer than any other nation
to an appreciation of the benefits Of modern
medicine in war as demonstrated in her war
with Russia. In wars Of the past eight SOL
diers died OF preventable disease and infec-
ton to one killed. Records OF medica! disas-
ter in war stand out in the history of the
past, though seemingly unrecognized by those
officials responsible for the conduct OF war.
The conduct Of war Is established by prece-
dent: the medical profession having lacked
precedent Of recognition in war lacked there
fore in efficiency.
1.-THE marvellous rapidly with which France
responded to the stimulus Of war was sur
prise to the world France is great in organ
ization. Her authorities placed in the hands
of high grade medical men the organization
of the medical service. She gave rank and
authority according to responsibility, since
on these men also fell a large share Of re-
sponsibility for the care of the armies Of the
Allies Remarkable efficiency has developed
In handling first aid injuries, in the transpor-
tation Of the injured and in the development
OF base hospitals. The health of the civilian
population is carefully guarded, thereby con-
serving medical service for the army.
Surgery was first developed in England
through the efforts Of John Hunter, who es-
tablshed the clinical study Of tumors and
gross pathologic conditions. England re-
tanned supremacy in surgery for fifty years,
when it was removed TO France by reason Of
her superiority in the development Of a
knowledge Of surgical anatomy, proving that
the diseases shown by Hunter might be safely
treated by surgery. Among the Frenchmen
who made an international scientific reputa-
ton were Broussais In anatomy, also Bayle
and Laennee; the latter also developed the
art Of auscultation. Corvssrt in diagnosis
developed percussion. Cruveilhier and Bichat
advanced surgical anatomy. During the pc
riod that France retained surgical supremacy
there were many noted surgeons, the great
est of whom by their remarkable achieve
ments were Dupuytren, Nelaton and Velpeau.
Long before this, however, Ambrose Pare
had begun to ligate vessels instead Of cauter-
izing them. and Petit invented the tourniquet
to control circulation. The great naturalist
The element Of oxygen was discovered by the
French chemist Lavoisier More recently
Nine. Curie has discovered radium, which is
so valuable in the treatment OF malignant
disease and benign tumors.
Modern medicine, however, has been
wholly founded on the results of the invest-
cations Of Pasteur of France, who discovered
the existence OF the microscopic world Of
living bacteria in water, air and earth. These
bacteria are the natural chemists OF the
world, without which higher multicellular
life could not exist. Some Of these bacteria
he showed to be the cause Of specific diseases
OF plants, animals and man. He developed
serums and vaccines for the cure of disease
erd antiseptics for the control and destruc-
ton Of bacteria and the prevention Of wound
infection. Lister, of England, through Pas
tours discoveries laid the foundation for
modern surgery. The value of his discover
les, curiously enough, was at first more APP
preciated in Germany than in England Ma
poleon, before the time of Pasteur, appre-
ciated the necessity for the preservation OF
food for his invading armies, and by giving
awards for discoveries empirically developed