LIGHT FROM THE BOTANIC FIELD ON MEDICAL MYCOLOGIC PROBLEMS

Abstract

Owing to the example and interest of Dr. Milton B. Hartzeil, I have been more or less actively engaged in the study of the higher fungi for nearly twelve years. During this time, I have passed through the three stages of the development of any specialist. I refer here to the classification of my former professor of anatomy, Dr. George A. Piersol, who told his students that there were three stages in the development of the anatomist: (1) that of the primitive student who felt that he could never know anything about anatomy; (2) that of the young graduate, or even instructor, who felt that he knew everything about the subject, and finally, (3) the inevitable and true realization, born of bitter experience, that one can never hope to know much about anatomy. I feel that I have arrived at the third stage of mycology, in view of having passed through the first two stages, and that I am now in the final one of discouragement, indeed pessimism, about knowing all that should be known on the subject. Recently I have been wondering what attitude the practicing dermatologist, too, or even the average and not necessarily mycologically inclined laboratory man must have toward the subject. I can envisage the general practitioner poring over the .toes of his patient, making