Excerpt from Experimental Rickets

The experimental work and results to be described in this paper are the outcome Of an investigation into the cause of rickets extending over the last five years. The work is being actively prosecuted and the publication is to be regarded as of an interim nature. Two earlier accounts (1) have already been published both representing lectures given at institutions. In neither case was it possible to present more than a small amount Of evidence in support Of the deductions made, and it seemed desirable that a publication which supplies more evidence and fuller experimental details of the work performed Should be forthcoming. It is not thought that any part of the research is complete but it has reached a stage when several points of practical importance as regards rickets are established and evidence of these facts is now Offered.

As the work has proceeded, it has necessitated the introduction Of more accurate and refined methods, which have made many of the earlier experiments appear crude. Points which were considered as of little account now appear Of greater importance and vice versa. In spite, however, of the crudeness of the earlier work, I shall de scribe some of it for it is the refining process that results from pro longed research of this type which illustrates more vividly the relative importance of the facts and adds to the interest by revealing the difficulties encountered.

The investigation was undertaken in the first place to find the actual cause or causes of rickets and the work was made as comprehensive as possible. When I was satisfied that some of the most important of these were established, it was then necessary to examine each factor more closely and especially in relation to the other causative agents. The closer examination carried out under precise conditions Obviously resulted in a more balanced view as to the relative importance of the facts, as well as leading to more correct interpretations of the experimental results.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.