An American Physiologist Abroad - continued...

7. (Re-)Building an International Community in Physiology

Benedict had originally planned to visit European laboratories every three years, but World War I and the political animosities in its aftermath prevented his return until 1923 (although he did send his assistant, Walter Miles, on a tour in 1920 to assess the situation). In that year, the International Physiology Congress, held in Edinburgh, attempted to end the pariah status of German scientists and reintegrate them into the international physiology community. Benedict had by that time, through his cultivation of the “personal element”, established an extensive network of personal-professional friendships. During his laboratory visits, he lobbied various physiologists to attend and was thoroughly pleased with the polite and friendly interactions between the scientists of nations still on uneasy terms. Science seemed to show the way forward in the political arena.

Professor Petrén (with the Derby hat) of Lund, Sweden, and Dr. Boothby (seated next to him) of Rochester, Minnesota, at the Congress meeting at Upsala, 1923

In his résumé of the Congress, Benedict reported, “Personally I received a great deal of stimulus and innumerable suggestions, and above all a belief that the most extensive and best founded advancement for international amities could well come from scientific societies” (Benedict, vol. 4, 1923, p. 235).