124 Kansas Academij of Science. 



These changes indicate a profound alteration in the physio- 

 logical work of the protoplasm of the cells of the host, and yet 

 the fungoid germ has done its work through its own cell walls 

 and those of the host. If these organisms have the power to 

 produce abnormal growth in vegetable cells, can we not 

 theoretically say that the unlimited cell formation in cancer 

 is thus produced. A wide difference exists between vegetable 

 and animal cells, but the fact remains that fungoid pests of 

 plants are communicated to and produce the death of insects. 

 These organisms are found upon the border line between 

 plants and animals. 



Will not a more thorough investigation of the life history of 

 certain organisms that are to be found on the border line clear 

 up much that seems obscure in regard to the cancer? Weronin, 

 in 1878, asserted that malignant growths in man might even- 

 tually prove to be due to a parasite of a similar nature. Care- 

 ful study of the morphology and biology of the various fungi 

 will more forcibly impress us with the belief that cancer is 

 of parasitic origin, and if this theory is accepted we are to 

 conclude that it must be due to an organism belonging to some 

 of the various fungi which induce malignant growths in plants ; 

 that in certain cases the cells of the host become its own 

 parasite. 



Starting with this hypothesis — that cancer is due to a para- 

 site not unlike the Myxomycetes — it would be exceedingly 

 gratifying if our knowledge regarding the physiology and 

 metabolism of such organisms were more perfectly understood. 

 Unfortunately, there has been very little investigation along 

 this line. This neglect is due, doubtless, to the fact that 

 zoologists are not agreed upon the question as to their place 

 of consignment ; that is, are they plant or animal ? Our knowl- 

 edge of the entire group of organisms known as Myxomycetes 

 is so obscure at this writing that we are unable to arrive at a 

 fairly good conclusion as to the part they play in the produc- 

 tion of disease. Time and close application to the study of 

 the subclasses will alone reveal much needed light. Plas)no- 

 diophora hrassicx is a parasite that has cost the agriculturists 

 much from a financial standpoint. They have learned, how- 

 ever, when manures have been subjected to the action of 

 sulphuric acid this parasite is almost sure to appear in the 

 plant. Doctor Ward, an eminent authority, says finger-and- 



