PHYSIOLOGY

OBERMER and his colleagues have attempted the difficult task of assessing tile "functional efficiency" of the individual. In the present volume, "Individual Health", Volume I, "Biochemical Technique",' Obermer and Milton discuss the biochemical part of the technique involved in conducting a full examination of an individual. It is intended to present, in future volumes, the technique for physical, radiological, dental, nervous, circulatory and other examinations, and the interpretation of the findings: The authors state: Only by an exhaustive study of each individual will it be possible to arrive at an understanding of the part played by all those environmental factors, both physical and psychological, which hinder or promote efficiency, resistance to infection, and longevity without senile loss of elasticity .... The efficiency with which an individual adapts him or herself to the stress and strain of growth, reproduction, and the struggle for livelihood or power, is the measure of his functional efficiency throughout life .... The basic purpose of a complete investigation of individual functional efficiency is to permit of a periodical, routine, prophylactic investigation with the object of: (a) Detecting the very earliest signs of dysfunction, strain and lowered resistance before disease or irremediable organic changes have supervened. (b) Raising the standard of individual well-being, or health, by advice or treatment based in each case upon the quantitative assessment of functional efficiency.