It might be supposed, by the unthinking, that those whose chosen occupation is the study of disease and death would in time become callous and indifferent to life. On the contrary, it is more apt to lead to abhorrence of suffering of any kind and to a peculiar tenderness toward living things. In his difficult and often baffling search for the cause of disease by the examination of the dead body, by the microscopic study of the tissues, and by experimental reproduction of its processes in lower animals; the pathologist is laying the foundation on which its recognition, alleviation, or possible cure during life is possible. It is a task requiring optimism, patience, intelligence and self-sacrifice of unusual degree