Notes

Abstract

THE Hughes Bennett laboratory of experimental physiology, which has been added to the University of Edinburgh by Mrs. Cox as a memorial of the work of her father, Prof. J. Hughes Bennett, in connection with medical education, was formally handed over to the University on Saturday last. The addition comprises a large laboratory equipped with appliances for practical work in experimental physiology by individual students, and a small lecture theatre for class demonstrations. The memorial character of the new laboratory is indicated by a bronze has relief representing Hughes Bennett, which has been executed by Mr. MacGillivray. This is fixed to one of the walls of the laboratory, with an inscription below it commemorating the fact that Hughes Bennett was the first teacher in Scotland to apply the microscope to the clinical investigation of disease. At the opening ceremony on Saturday, Sir J. Burdon Sanderson, Bart., formerly a pupil of Bennett, delivered an address upon his life and work. Referring to the work to be done in the laboratory, he said, “The laboratory is intended for researches in experimental physiology, by which term was meant the application of the methods derived from physics and chemistry to the investigation of vital phenomena—i.e. to the processes which were peculiar to the living organisms. Bennett used to teach in the old days that the scientific method of study was always comparative. It consisted in comparing the unknown with the known, the more complicated phenomena of lisease with the simpler ones of health, in bringing their imperfect understanding of vital processes into relation with the clearer notions of natural philosophy. It was thus that physiology, which was at first little more than an introductory study to that of medicine, had been built up into an independent branch of natural knowledge which has its own special aim, the elucidation of the nature of vital processes, but derived its methods of investigation from physics and chemistry. He was sure that all present would cordially join with him in wishing Prof. Schafer success in carrying out the noble purpose to which Mrs. Cox has devoted her munificent gift.” Prof. J. G. McKendrick, who was an assistant of Bennett's thirty years ago, proposed a vote of thanks to Sir John Burdon Sanderson, and it was seconded by Sir John Batty Tuke. Sir William Muir, in closing the proceedings, expressed the indebtedness of the University to Mrs. Cox for her munificence.