100 YEARS AGO

The British Medical Journal for March 19 contains an important paper by Dr. Luigi Sambon, on the “Etiology of Sunstroke.” Dr. Sambon adopts what at first appears a somewhat startling theory, namely, that sunstroke is not due to excessive heat or exposure to the sun, but is an infectious disease due to a specific organism. The author's case rests on three lines of argument. He begins by showing that excessive heat does not produce the disease; stokers, miners, and iron-workers are exposed to temperatures higher than those of any known climate. ⃛ Dr. Sambon next discusses the geographical distribution of the disease, and proves that the areas in which it is endemic are strictly defined. It is very common in the low-lying regions of the Eastern United States, between the Appalachians and the Atlantic; it is unknown in Europe; it extends along the Nile Valley, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf ⃛. Another peculiar feature of the disease explicable on the infection theory is the occurrence of epidemics, which may decimate hospital wards and not affect men exposed to greater heat and sun. Dr. Sambon concludes that the distribution, etiology, morbid anatomy, and epidemic character of the disease together demonstrate its organic origin.

From Nature 31 March 1898.

50 YEARS AGO

⃛ one of the few serious complaints raised today against the young scientist graduate refers to his alleged inability to express findings in a written report. ⃛ The main trouble seems to arise from the fact that often the young scientific worker has no love for writing. Whatever disciplinarians may say, it is doubtful whether anyone makes a real success of a task which gives him no sort of satisfaction. Enthusiastic and hard-working experimenters show an obvious reluctance to produce reports by the appointed day, and require a surprising length of time to produce a very simple memorandum. Even if the results, when ultimately completed, were perfect, the obvious disinclination to use the pen in the communication of ideas reveals an unsatisfactory state of affairs. This aversion to writing is often shown by men who are extremely successful in explaining their ideas by word of mouth.

From Nature 3 April 1948.