Biophysical

We would conclude our remarks upon Dr. Harris’s work by simply saying that it is interesting and suggestive, and well worthy of careful perusal, not only by those interested in the many observations relating to the phenomena of the latent period accompanying the stimulation of living matter, but also by those interested in the larger if less accurately conditioned field of biophysical philosophy.

As to the immediate results of operation we find in our earlier series the mortality was formidably high, but that in our last 108 cases of gastroenterostomy and resection we have adopted methods of management and of technic based on biophysical concepts elsewhere published, embracing in particular anticipatory intervention — that is, treatment and management to forestall danger — the indication being based on statistical probabilities rather than on established indication of the case in hand.

THE chemistry of photo-reception remains obscure in spite of a vast literature, particularly rich in biophysical data ; indeed it is doubtful whether on the chemical side present theories are more than the merest scaffolding. Recent statements by wellknown workers display a confidence about the nature of visual purple (rhodopsin) which it is not easy to share.