It is of great importance that the mind of the lay public should be disabused of the idea that medical science is possessed of final information concerning questions of nutrition. This is very far indeed from being the case. Human nutrition involves highly complex factors, and the scientific basis for our knowledge of the subject is but small; where questions of diet are concerned, medical teaching, no less than popular practice, is to a great extent based upon empiricism. But the scientific and social importance of the question is clearly immense, and it is greatly to be desired that its study should be encouraged. M. FOSTER. April 26th, 1902. REPORT OF A PLAN FOR THE INSTITUTION OF AN INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY INTO THE SUBJECT OF HUMAN NUTRITION [Sir Michael Foster’s “Note” (preceding) and Professor Chittenden’s article in the _Popular Science Monthly_ (following), which form a part of this book, show a common want of exact knowledge relative to human nutrition not at all creditable to human intelligence at the beginning of the twentieth century; but they both offer hope of relief from this discreditable stigma in systematic study of the question. For this purpose an international inquiry was proposed, a plan was drawn up under advice of Sir Michael Foster, and the matter was given to the writer to promote by the best means available. The Carnegie Institution seemed, at the time, the most likely supporter of such a scheme; but owing to an embarrassment of applications for support of American science needs, it was considered best not to attempt any foreign or even international benefaction, for the present at least, and hence other means of furthering the inquiry were sought. The invitation of Professor Chittenden to repeat the demonstration of food-economy made by the author and Dr. Van Someren at Cambridge, England, of which Sir Michael Foster’s “Note” treats, at the laboratories of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, led to the discovery that New Haven already possessed an equipment suitable for the inquiry much more complete than the plan Professor Foster had outlined as being desirable. At Yale were found not only a very well-adapted chemico-physiological laboratory with some of the most active and scientifically respected research talent of the world in charge, but the laboratory stood only three minutes away from one of the best furnished gymnasiums in the world, under a director who is an M. D. of twenty years' experience, as well as a famous athlete and author of an athletic manual. It so happened that this gymnasium was especially suited for assisting in a research into the very causes of human efficiency, or lack of it, which nutrition is supposed to affect.