184 THE ACTION OF THE LIVING CELL 



est to seek the cause underlying the observed facts. To 

 this end let us attempt an analysis of the facts in the 

 light of the foregoing discussion. 



In an earlier chapter attention has been drawn to 

 the fact that when shock is induced in a pregnant 

 guinea pig the embryonic tissues suffer congestion in 

 much the same manner as do the viscera of the mother 

 (see Fig. 16). Since shock, as we have shown, is due 

 to the action of cytost, such an observation may be 

 taken as evidence that the presence of an excess of 

 cytost in the circulation of the mother will be re- 

 flected in the developing fetus. This may well lead 

 to faulty development of the latter, and such faulty 

 development in utero may seriously affect the animal's 

 antefetal life. Thus we are able to see a connection 

 between the toxemia of pregnancy and the life of the 

 young from a rational point of view. 



It follows, therefore, that anything we can do to 

 lessen the toxemia of pregnancy, that is, to combat the 

 action of cytost in such instances, will enable us to 

 offer a measure of protection to young animals. The 

 importance of this possibility lies not solely in pro- 

 tecting the young against cytost during their compara- 

 tively brief period in utero, but in the fact that by so 

 doing we may, barring accident, insure the develop- 

 ment of normal young which will better be able to 

 live in accordance with the heritage of their germ 

 plasm. To accomplish such a result, we must take 

 advantage of all available means to combat the action 

 of cytost in utero before as well as after birth. 



One means available toward this end is the im- 

 munization of mothers against cytost so far as is pos- 

 sible. This will have a dual effect, for not only will it 



i 



