“But bacilli--the trouble makers!” pleaded Mr. Daindrie. “Harmless to the properly ordered organism. Immune to anything so isolated as the effect of drugs. We are subject to germ diseases, I am sure, because we are not masters of our independence of them. I am sure that some day it will seem as absurd to introduce drugs into our systems in order to kill bugs, as it would be now to say prayers in order to drive out devils.” “But the devils don’t exist!” “I’m not so sure of that. The instruments don’t exist--as they do for bacilli--for seeing devils.” Mr. Daindrie was dazed by what seemed the man’s veering from pure science to superstition. “You’re a bacteriologist!” exclaimed Miss Daindrie, sensing her father’s state. “I am working to find out what disordered conditions of our tissues and organs give the bacteria their chance--the pernicious ones. Or rather what conditions develop the pernicious ones, for that is essentially what our bodies have done. I am interested in nothing else.” Helen felt there was no answer: Doctor Westerling was interested in no answer. She kept silent. “Well, we do need doctors,” contributed Mrs. Daindrie. “Fortunately, not all doctors refuse to help the world, like you, Doctor Westerling.” A faint sneer crept over the young man’s features. It covered a hurt. David alone saw the hurt. Mr. Daindrie answered the sneer. “Yes,” he said, “we must get on with the drugs, while you have yet to prove we can get on without them.” “Don’t you believe in any of our curative or preventive service?” asked Helen Daindrie. “Honestly, it is all nonsense.” “All of it?” She was withdrawing. But Westerling had a truth and he must pursue it first. “I am sure modern practice has done more harm than good. Operations clean up appendicitis. We know that. What we scarcely guess, is how many nervous systems, kinetic systems, circulatory systems are wrecked by successful operations.” “I had always thought the American surgeons were great scientists.” “They are great virtuosi,” declared Westerling. “Yes, but----” “----virtuosi should practice on pianos.”