Natural history of parasitic disease. Patrick Manson's philosophical method

A distinct British approach to disease in the tropics has been identified in the recent historiography of colonial medicine: Mansonian tropical medicine, named after Sir Patrick Manson (1844-1922), the founder of the London School of Tropical Medicine. This essay examines Manson's study of filariasis (infection with the filarial nematode worm) and argues that his conceptual tools and research framework were derived from contemporary natural history. It investigates Manson's training in natural history at the University of Aberdeen, where some of his teachers were closely associated with transcendental biology. The concepts of perfect adaptation and the harmony of nature were crucial to the formulation of his research problematic. This essay demonstrates that biogeographical concepts played an important part in Manson's research methodology. It also investigates how Manson's natural historical approach contributed to the making of so-called Mansonian tropical medicine.     

自然科学方法论与自然科学史方法论比较

由于自然科学史与自然科学具有不同的研究对象和不同的研究特点,决定了自然科学史与自然科学遵循不同的方法论原则并采用不同的研究方法。对自然科学与自然科学史的研究对象、研究特点和研究方法论进行比较研究和对比分析,对于深入了解、科学认识、正确对待和妥善处理自然科学史与自然科学的关系具有重要的价值和重大的意义。     

大自然造就的奇观

山头：随意录放音邕波山位于贵州紫云苗族布依族自治县南部与望漠县交界的群山峻岭中，海拔１３００米，属碎石屑岩类，山体略呈塔形。半山腰处有一个天然旱洞，洞口直径３—４米，山的三面自古就居住着３个苗族村寨，只要邕波山周围的村寨过年过节鸣放鞭炮，敲锣打鼓，吹奏唢呐或打枪放炮，其声音便会被录下来，隔十多小时或几天后，该山又会把录下的各种声音重放出来。重放的声音震天动地，方圆３公里内都能清楚地听到。悬崖：岩石会生蛋在贵州黔南的三都水族自治县内，有一座悬崖每隔３０年，就会从岩石中落下一颗圆圆的、光滑的石蛋。原…     

从自然资源核算到自然资源资产负债表编制

研制自然资源资产负债表并探索其实际应用是健全国家自然资源资产管理制度的重要研究内容。文章从自然资源核算进展到自然资源负债表编制,讨论了自然资源资产负债表编制的框架设想与可能路径。初步梳理了国内外自然资源核算研究历程和方法进展,指出了自然资源核算研究的重点和难点,并进一步探讨了自然资源核算与自然资源资产负债表之间的关系。在此基础上,提出了主要由自然资源分类实物量表和综合价值量表构成的自然资源资产负债表的框架设想,从自然资源平衡表、资产负债表和自然资源账户到自然资源资产负债表编制的可能路径,以及先实物再价值、先存量再流量、先分类再综合的自然资源资产负债表编制原则。     

A brief history of x-rays

The identity of x-rays was initially mysterious, their connotations including morbidity and the otherworldly. Gradually they became routine, finding a place in the high-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radiologists established a niche in hospitals, contributing to the industrialization of healthcare. Control of x-ray tube output was improved while an infrastructure enforcing radiation protection accompanied the continued growth of the field. X-ray diffraction proved a powerful tool with which to examine substances at the atomic scale. Since 1950, x-ray researchers have taken advantage of synchrotrons’ copious production of continuous x-ray spectra, and the marriage of x-rays with electronics has led to a cornucopia of cheap and highly efficient analytical tools.     

The early history of zinc

Although zinc has been known for some three thousand years in the form of brass, its alloy with copper, the preparation of the metal itself, is of comparatively recent origin. The main reason is that if the ore is smelted in a simple furnace the metal simply escapes in a gas and is promptly oxidized: as with mercury, a condensation process is necessary. This article describes the early history of zinc, with special reference to ancient Indian smelting works at Zawar.