BY TRADITION, most of the presidents' addresses before this Society have been of a philosophical nature. However, being skeptical that I could utilize this principle and still maintain the high standard set by previous presidents, I have chosen to devote part of my time today to a scientific presentation.
VALUES AND PITFALLS OF LABORATORY AIDS IN SURGERY
Although a major portion of the progress made in surgery during the past half century has developed through physiologic and chemical mechanisms contained in laboratory tests and examinations, yet we have great difficulty in attaching the proper significance to this data. We must not fail to appreciate that laboratory tests can be of inestimable value in surgical diagnoses and indications for certain types of therapy, but they cannot be used effectively without the application of proper intelligence. Unless we use all our intellectual facilities in interpretation of labo