The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-09
SCIENCE |S SHOWN A|D|NGME ED|C|NE IN F|CHT| |NG DISEASE
Dr. Mayo Describes Modern Theories of Matter and Re- lates Them to Physi-
 oIogical Phenomena

Choosing to avoid a general dis cussion ot surgery before profes- sional audience. Dr. William j.. Mayo. head of the famous Mayo clinic of Rochester Mihn., dwelt or the relation of the atom, the mole cule and the eollod to the phenom- ena of disease, in his address to 200 members of the Jefferson county Medical society at banquet given in his honor at the Tutwiler hotel Thursday night. His talk was high ly technical but interested his hear CTS profoundly.
 Matter" said Dr. Mayo, ''is mani fested in three forms. That which is visible to the eye; that which Is invisible to the eye and there IS an intermediate stage, the colloid, which is known only in reflection. He re ferred to the changed conception of the atom brought about by the dis coveries of Bohr, the Swedish sc1en- tist. who was awarded the Nobel prize for his discovery. "The atom. he said, formerly was regarded as the ultimate division or smallest conceivable portion of matter It Is now recognized that the atom has definite construction which Bohr has described as follows: The atom is a miniature solar system, core being in the center of the atom which is called the nucleus. It is positive in it's electric charge. About this core or nucleus revolve the negative particles or electrons, as the planets do the sun. There are possibly TOO or 800 of these electrons to the atom The nucleus of the atom has been identified" said Dr. Mayo, "by means of the N-ray. It -,Sih the most powerful microscope. But the X-ray, which measures but one ore hundred millionth of an inch, has led to the Identification of the nucleus of the atom. Radium, ac- cording to the modern theory" said Dr. Mayo. may be regarded not so much as separate element but as matter in state of transition, that is the atom in radium is undergoing dissolution or is breaking up. The ray of radium is even shorter than that of the X-ray, being about one bilIionth of an inch in length.
 After the invisible forms of mat ter" continued pr. Mayo. come the colloids. Applied to physiological re- lations they are studied in the open ngs of the capilaries." As an eX- ample he stated that during the war, in dealing with crushed limbs, 1t was found that if the tourniquet were arplied to the limb so that no blood could enter into the wounded por- ton no shock would result. If blood could enter, shock would result.
 "The colloid is not really visible" !" said Dr. Mayo. Tt is seen only in reflection as it is shorter than the ray O. light. If the capillaries are so closed that only oxygen and the amino acids can pass through the openings no shock can result. But if they are so dilated that the colloids can pass through, the openings are enlarged and the poisons of the mus cle juices can enter and the patient died.''
 pr. Richard A Harte of Philadel- l phia, urged members of the medical society to insist upon the medical l schools of the country making room for the younger men who were de- | sirous of becoming doctors.
 A brief talk was made by Dr. D. C. Balfour. of the Mayo clinic, of l the advances being made by the profession during the last decade by lowering the death rate in many cases that require post operative l measures.
 Dr. Scale Harris introduced Dr, Mayo with resume of the work which had been done by the medical corps of the army under the direc- ton of General Gorgas and paying tribute to the work which had been accomplished by Dr. Mayo during lis connection with the army. Dr. R. II. Hamrick. president of the Jefferson County Medical society presided.
 About thirty of the prominent physicians of the city will be guests of Dr. Nave on his houseboat North Star" Friday when they will cruise down the Warrior river. They will leave Birmingham early in the morning and will return later in the afternoon.
 Dr. Mayo and his party consist of Dr. and Mrs. Balfour. Mrs. Mayo. pr. Richard A. Harte of Philadel-