1881. 43 Trans. N. Y. Ac. Sez. 
weak, broken down or phthisical person, will be finely granular and ex- 
hibit a network with large meshes on account of the relatively small 
amount of living matter in it. Sometimes we thus, from the examin- 
ation of a drop of blood, gain an insight into the condition and vital 
power of the whole individual; sometimes, recognize a disease before 
it is sufficiently developed to do much harm, and thus come a step 
nearer to the highest aim of the physician—the prevention of disease. 
DISCUSSION. 
Dr. B. N. MARTIN remarked on the great value and important bear- 
ing of this investigation. 
Mr. A. H. ELLIOTT enquired whether the blocks of non-living matter in 
the cartilage were entirely separated. 
Dr. ELSBERG explained that the blocks were separate, their only con- 
nection being the interposed threads of the retzcudum of living matter ; 
and to the former is due the opalescent character of hyaline cartilage. 
He further stated that the condition of health of an individual might be 
inferred in a degree from a study of the character of the network, a thin 
section of a very minute portion of the body often showing a difference 
of network in different persons, ¢. g., in the thickness of the threads, 
the size of the meshes, the character of the points of intersection, etc. 
From the uniformity in the size of the meshes, etc., or from their 
variability, or from the proportion of corpuscles presenting a normal 
and abnormal character in their network, a good or bad prognosis was 
deduced by the physician, and even an indication of the progress of 
disease. 
Prof. E. H. Day referred to the wonderful character of protoplasm 
in its wide results in the construction of the most varying textures in 
the vegetable and animal kingdoms. The speaker’s observations have 
brought the protoplasm of cartilage tissue into correspondence with 
that in the tissues of the sponge, of the plant, and all the lower forms 
of life. In protoplasm we are brought face to face with the most 
astonishing substance in nature. 
Mr. J. D. WARNER offered objections to the vague views of Virchow 
on the soul of the cell and its relation to the soul of the individual. 
Dr. NEWBERRY said that, having been educated as a physician, and 
having studied microscopic anatomy under Dr. Charles Robin, he had 
followed with great interest the progress of modern research into the 
ultimate structure of organic tissue, and the discussions of the origin 
and seat of vitality to which it has given rise; and he regarded such 
investigations as those of Dr. Elsberg as of the highest scientific 
interest and practical value. If we ever learn the causes of malarial 
and infectious diseases, or the cure of the morbid growths which are 
