MAURICE ARTHUS’ PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION - Preface - Translation Introduction and Foreword

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr

Maurice Arthus’ Philosophy of Scientific Investigation presents a medical-essay introduction and foreword surrounding Arthus’ early research on anaphylaxis and related immune reactions. The foreword, written by Warfield T. Longcope, explains that Arthus’ work records a direct experimental attack rather than a review, beginning with observations on repeated injections of horse serum into rabbits. It also recounts how a young physician’s question led Arthus to frame his experiments through an essay on the philosophy and pitfalls of scientific investigation, later translated from French with an introduction by Henry E. Sigerist.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 2 min

AccessFree to download

FOREWORD

Background and significance of Arthus’ work

Origin of the monograph and the philosophy essay

Translation purpose and intended value

# MAURICE ARTHUS’ PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENTIFICINVESTIGATION PREFACE TO De I'Anaphylaxie àl'Imnunité,PARIS,1921 TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH,WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY HENRY E.SIGERIST FOREWORD BY WARFIELD T.LONGCOPE | Q175
A77 | | | --- | --- | BALTIMORETHE JOHNS HOPKINS PRESS 1943 MONTANA STATE COLLEGE LIBRARYBOZEMAN # MAURICE ARTHUS' PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENTIFICINVESTIGATION PREFACE TO De P'Anaphylaxie àPImmunité,PARIS,1921 TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH,WITH AN INTRODUCTION BYHENRY E.SIGERIST FOREWORD BY WARFIELD T.LONGCOPE BALTIMORETHE JOHNS HOPKINS PRESS 1943 Reprinted from Bulletin of the History of Medicine,Volume XIV,Number 3,October,1943,pages 366-390. ()17 5477 ## FOREWORD It is now more than 20 years since the French physiologist,Maurice Arthus,published a book,the title of which was"De'Anaphylaxie à I'Immunité.”At that time the monograph was anotable contribution to the subject,for Arthus was one of thepioneers in this particular field of investigation.His book is not areview of current information upon the subject,as he takes pains topoint out,but the record of a direct experimental attack upon theproblem.This starts with his original observations upon the reac-tion to repeated injections of horse serum in the rabbit;and,sincethe“Arthus Phenomenon”and the“Anaphylaxis”of Richet aretwo phenomena of fundamental significance,the text remainshistorically important. There is,however,another reason why the treatise should not beforgotten,for it is introduced by a preface which is as fresh andappealing today as it was at the time it was written.An explanationfor this preface is to be found in an interesting little circumstancethat led Arthus to write the monograph itself.He received a letterone day from a young physician asking,“Mais qu'est-ce donc quePanaphylaxie?”Arthus thought the question could best be answeredby preparing an account of his own experiments;and as an in-troduction he wrote an essay upon the philosophy of scientificinvestigation. This intimate and charming address of the master to his pupilsis a bit of medical literature which is worthy of being preserved.There is certainly nothing novel in the topic,but Arthus approachesit in such an unusual manner,and with such full understanding ofthe pitfalls that lie in the path of the unwary student,that the essayacquires a unique quality.In its own way it compares well withthe celebrated"Introduction à PEtude de la Médecine Expéri-mentale”of Claude Bernard,though Arthus has condensed whathe has to say in comparatively few pages.He says this,however,inbeautiful French,with feeling,"esprit"and great wisdom. The book is now difficult to obtain in this country,for it is not to 望8862 be found in some of the largest medical libraries.For many yearsit has seemed desirable that this delightful preface should be betterknown.A translation was contemplated but never materializeduntil the suggestion was made to Dr.Sigerist.With his quickappreciation and enthusiasm he immediately consented to under-take this rather delicate and difficult task,and now through hiskindness it is possible to make this unique piece of medical literaturereadily available.It is hoped that all who read it may derive pleasureand profit from it.WARFIELD T.LonGCOPE.

FAQs

Why is Arthus’ monograph described as historically important?

It is presented as a record of Arthus’ direct experimental approach and because it connects to fundamental phenomena, including reactions related to the “Arthus Phenomenon” and anaphylaxis described by Richet.

What event led Arthus to write the monograph?

Longcope recounts that Arthus received a letter from a young physician asking, “Mais qu'est-ce donc que Panaphylaxie ?,” and Arthus answered by preparing an account of his own experiments and writing an accompanying essay on scientific investigation.

What was the purpose of translating the work?

For years it was difficult to obtain, so a translation was intended. The suggestion was made to Dr. Sigerist, whose enthusiasm and effort made the preface readily available, so readers could gain pleasure and profit.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Bulrr