The respiratory function of the blood

Abstract

AT one time, which seems too long ago, most of my leisure was *spent in boats.In them I learned what little I know of research, not of technique or of physiology, but of the qualities essential to those who would venture beyond the visible horizon.The story of my physiological " ventures " will be found in the following pages.Sometimes I have sailed single handed, sometimes I have been one of a crew, sometimes I have sent the ship's boat on some expedition without me.Any merit which attaches to my narrative lies in the fact that it is in some sense at first hand.I have refrained from discussing subjects which I have not actually touched, but which might fittingly have been included in a modern account of the blood as a vehicle for oxygen.Such are the relation of narcosis to oxygen-want and the properties of intracellular oxidative enzymes.The omission of these and other important subjects has made the choice of a title somewhat difficult.I should like to have called the book, what it frankly is a log; did not such a title involve an air of flippancy quite out of place in the description of the serious work of a man's life.I have therefore chosen a less exact, though more comprehensive title.After all, the pleasantest memories of a cruise are those of the men with whom one has sailed.The debt which I owe to my colleagues, whether older or younger than myself, will be evident enough to any reader of the book.It leaves me well-nigh bankrupt a condition well-known to most sailors.But I owe another