On Oxidation, Fermentation, Vitamins, Health and Disease

Abstract

The volume contains the five lectures comprising the sixth series of Abraham Flexner lectures delivered by Dr. Albert v. Szent-Györgyi in 1939. They represent a summary of Dr. Szent-Györgyi's experiments in the field of biologic oxidation. The book covers the field of oxidation and includes vegetable oxidation. Its climax is the fifth chapter, or lecture, on vitamins, health and disease. The second and third lectures deal with the respiration of muscles and with fermentation, thus giving a smooth transition to vegetable oxidation. The author presents chiefly his own researches, but he brings them into proper perspective as parts of a broad review of the biochemical basis of life. It may be stated that Dr. Szent-Györgyi elevated himself with these lectures to one of the "praeceptores mundi." The brilliance of his style, the clear and fascinating presentation of the subject, makes the reading of this small volume an exceptional delight. The