APPLICATION 01- METHOD IX INFECTIOUS DISEASES 129 



possible of those specific properties which are out 

 of harmony with the host. Of course, other 

 processes come into play in this connection. The 

 decomposites are oxidized, reduced, methylated, 

 acetylated, benzolated, &c., and are also, without any 

 doubt, coupled in very different ways with various 

 compounds. The defensive ferments prepare the 

 disharmonious material in a proper manner, so that 

 the individual cells of the body may attack it 

 in their own specific way. The ferments remain 

 unaltered during all these processes. They enter 

 temporarily into combination with the substrate to 

 'be altered. Once the decomposition is completed, 

 the ferment is again ready to initiate new reactions- 

 mostly decompositions. An over-production of fer- 

 ments, in response to an invasion of disharmonious 

 bodies, is therefore unnecessary. The importance 

 we ascribe to these means of defence of the organism 

 against the invasion of disharmonious substances 

 may, however, be objected to on the ground that 

 little is gained by demonstrating the existence of 

 ferments in the blood plasma, and by agreeing that 

 they play an important part in connection with in- 

 fectious diseases, so long as the ferments themselves 

 are not known by us. We know nothing of their 

 structure, their nature, or their special modes of 

 action ; and only become aware of their existence 

 through their activities. The fact, that they are 

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