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spread of contagious diseases, and of treating such disorders. 

 In tlie first place I shall refer to the mode of multiplication 

 of the bioplasm of man in health, and then endeavour to trace 

 its degradation until a form of bioplasm destructive of healthy- 

 life and capable of infinite multijjlication results. 



Bioplasm of Animals and Man in Health. 

 Bioplasm of Amceba. 



Among the lower, simplest living forms known are 

 some very simple organisms consisting apparently of 

 transparent structureless semifluid material. Seldom as 

 much as the -nnro of an inch in diameter, they vary 

 much in size down to the most extreme minuteness and 

 tenuity capable of being seen under the highest power 

 yet made, equalling about 5000 diameters. These masses, 

 apparently composed almost entirely of living matter, can 

 move in any part, and in any direction. Portions of the 

 semifluid material may protrude in advance of the rest of the 

 mass, and coming in contact with protrusions from other 

 parts, join these, and thus a ring or a series of rings may 

 result. The protrusion may be withdrawn and the Avhole 

 assume the appearance of a perfectly smooth globular mass. 

 Such naked masses of bioplasm or living germinal matter may 

 apply themselves to foreign bodies, and if these are small, com- 

 pletely invest them, so that they are at length seen in the 

 interior of the mass embedded in its very substance. It is in 

 this way that these simple forms of life are capable of effect- 

 ing the solution of certain substances, and afterwards appro- 

 priating them. They increase in number in a very simple 

 manner. If one of the protrusions above referred to be 

 detached, artificially or by accident, a new and independent 

 organism results. For never after a portion has completely 

 separated does it again join, and form a part of the parent 

 mass. So long as a pedicle remains between the two, though 

 it be so thin as to be only just visible, the diverticulum mav 

 be Avithdrawn, and the whole form one single spherical mass 

 of living, growing, moving matter. But if the communica- 

 tion be once completely severed two separate beings result, 

 and these can never be incorporated so as to form but one. 



Any one can study for himself the most important of the 

 highly interesting phenomena which have been observed in 

 these wonderful and simjde organisms. Amoebae can be readily 

 obtained from water wliich has been left for a few davs in a 

 warm light room. Their growth can be watched from day to 

 day, and their movements can be seen without difficulty. 

 With the aid of high powers it will be found that the moving 



