the two different types of medical advance. The purely observational, bedside, clinical progress resulted, after the lapse of centuries, in criteria on which a differential diagnosis could be made with considerable accuracy; in certain observations from which not wholly convincing conclusions were drawn as to the spread of the disease, and certain methods of palliative symptomatic treatment like hydrotherapy, and more recently, increased feeding. Contrast with this the advances during the last thirty-five years, which marks the era of Bacteriology. The parasitic cause of the disease was determined. The demonstration of this micro-organism gave us a means of certain diagnosis of the disease; threw light on the nature of the disease process itself; conclusively settled its method of spreading; and has given the only efficient means for specific prevention and therapy. You will be convinced from this example that advances in applied medicine lie through laboratory investigation rather than through observations made at the bedside, at least in so far as the infectious or parasitic diseases are concerned. Equally persuasive data, from the laboratory standpoint, could be given in relation to the diseases of disturbed metabolism which involves the sciences of chemistry and physiology. You will further readily believe from the complexities of this one problem that I have tried to suggest, that successful prosecution of work of this sort may well monopolize the attention of a large group of workers. The number of these workers is limited only by the opportunities that are available, a reserve supply of eager and potentially productive minds is always at hand. The work itself is, however, not self supporting, such advances as we may be able to make in the prevention and cure of disease bringing no pecuniary reward. It is fortunate indeed for our welfare that the contributions to human health are not patented as are contributions to human comfort and luxury. The opportunities for advances in the medical sciences come, in part through private benefaction, in part through public funds wisely administered, when, as in this University, opportunities are given not only for the dissemination of acquired knowledge, but also for its advancement. This utilization of public funds for any particular research is justified, apart from any preconceived notion as to its promise of practical reward. UNIVERSITY RECORD VICTOR H. HENDERSON On January 8, 1916, died Eugene Woldemar Hilgard, since 1905 Professor of Agriculture, Emeritus, and for thirty-one years before that head of the Department of Agriculture, as Professor, Dean of the College of Agriculture, and Director of the United States Agricultural Experiment Station. Creative-minded, he had not only laid foundations for soil geology, soil chemistry, and soil physics, but he had developed the fecundating idea of making the University contribute to the everyday happiness and well-being of all mankind. Of rich culture, of kindly soul, of noble ideals of service to mankind, his career is a precious part of the spiritual endowment of the University. An account of his life-work is printed in other pages of this number of the University Chronicle. DEATH OF JOHN M. ESHLEMAN Regent John Morton Eshleman, '02, one of the most distinguished graduates of the University of California, died on February 28. With a father who for the last five years of his life was bedridden, as the eventual result of injuries received during the Civil War, his childhood was one of privation and hunger. After but a single year in the high school, he taught himself the Greek, Latin, and mathematics he needed for admission to the University by studying at night after a hard day's work as helper to a Chinese cook on a Southern Pacific work-car. He worked his way through the University, was President of the Associated Students, achieved Phi Beta Kappa, was an effective member of many societies, and a leader in everything that was good in student life. Throughout his University course he continued the study of Greek, Latin, mathematics, and philosophy, then returned for a graduate year, as LeConte Fellow, devoted to studying philosophy and serving as assistant in English. To make himself more serviceable in the first position which he held after leaving the University-assistant in the State Bureau of Labor Statistics-he obtained admission to the bar, and in the courts established the validity of the child-labor law. He went to the Legislature, introduced an anti-racetrack law-then regarded by most people as about the most fatal step one desirous of a political career could make—and after a complete physical breakdown from tuberculosis, left Sacramento to go to the desert. There, against all the possibilities, his faithful wife nursed him back to life. He took up the practice of the law, served as District Attorney of the new Imperial County, became State Railroad Commissioner, and as president of that Commission did an extraordinary work of constructive statesmanship which gave him national reputation and laid the people of California under the profoundest debt of gratitude. Having established firmly his new policies of regulation of public utilities in the interest of the public welfare and with honest justice to private right as well, and having obtained from the people approval of constitutional amendments enormously increasing the public powers of the Railroad Commission over corporate enterprises, Mr. Eshleman then retired from the presidency of the Railroad Commission and became lieutenant-governor of California, which made him a regent of the University ex officio. A journey to Washington with the purpose of obtaining just dealing from Congress for the oil industry of California proved too great a tax upon his powers of physical resistance, through many years unselfishly sacrificed in the service of the people of California, and death resulted, on his way to the desert which once before had given him back his life. As noble example of University opportunities used to the full, of personal culture ardently sought, and of service to the common good as richly effective as it was loyal and high-minded, his memory should be cherished as part of the noblest traditions of the University. PRESIDENT WHEELER'S REPORT An account of the way in which student self-government really works in the University of California, and a description of the reconstruction of the system of "colleges" and "schools" which constitute the interior organization of the University, these are outstanding features of President Wheeler's annual report, issued by the University in January. As special needs of the University President Wheeler points out: Additions to endowment, the income to be available for such needs as are most urgently felt. Endowments for professorships. A building for the Department of Music, containing a concertroom or small theatre. Alumni Hall (the students' union). Dormitories for Freshmen and Sophomores. $100,000 to complete and equip the new University Hospital in San Francisco. An Out-patient Building adjoining the University Hospital, to cost $100,000. A new laboratory building adjoining the University Hospital, to house Anatomy and Pathology, to cost $150,000. A nurses' home for the University Hospital, to accomodate a hundred nurses and to cost $100,000. Endowment for medicine and surgery and for the University Hospital. A new building for the College of Dentistry. A great reflecting telescope of not less than 100 inches for the Lick Observatory. A permanent fireproof museum building to house the collections in anthropology, archaeology, and art, now worth several million dollars, given to the University by Mrs. Hearst. An endowment for the University Press, the income to provide for the publication of scientific writings of members of the faculty. An armory. A new Infirmary for the students and the use of the present Infirmary for the faculty, who are not as yet admitted to Infirmary privileges. HOW THE UNIVERSITY GROWS Here are some of the facts concerning enrollment November 1, 1915, in the University of California brought out by the statistics published by John C. Burg of Northwestern University in Science for January 21, 1916: In total attendance, including graduate, undergraduate, professional, and Summer Session students, but excluding from the figures for California all University Extension, University Farm, Art, Wilmerding School, correspondence, and "night-school" students, California is exceeded in size only by Columbia and in number of undergraduates by no American university. California has the second largest Summer Session, Columbia enrolling last year 5961 and California 5364. |