262 



This explanation would be much more conformable to the logic 

 of facts than the view of a prolonged and continuous operation 

 of mechanical action. 



As matters now stand, the continual propagation of injury 

 from cell to cell cannot be proved. The remote action of 

 injury upon the vessels, however, is proved; and so we have 

 well-based right for stating the following succession of pheno- 

 mena in inflammation set up experimentally : — 



Injury, circulation disturbance, exudation of jiuid and 

 formed ingredients, nutrition disturbance, and new growth. 



;Not one of these signs taken alone is decisive. An injury 

 may be applied ; a disturbance of circulation may be manifested 

 under our eyes, without inflammation being the result, and 

 without our being able to decide, with our present means of 

 investigation, whether this disturbance of circulation essenti- 

 ally differs from that of an inflammatory character. 



That exudation alone does not constitute inflammation is 

 proved by oedema. Again, we have no means at our disposal 

 by which we can recognise the finer signs distinguishing 

 inflammatory exudation. 



Finally, in some cases, we may meet with other instances 

 of disturbed nutrition and new growth, where the clinical 

 observer cannot diagnose inflammation. 



I have in my writings shown how probable it is that this 

 succession of inflammatory phenomena includes a causal nexus. 

 But for scientific determination this nexus is not needed 

 to be fully followed out. When I define a body by its colora- 

 tion and its specific weight, these signs may or may not 

 stand in a causal connection. The two peculiarities are 

 associated merely as distinguishing signs. 



Since we have, through the reform in our knowledge con- 

 cerning cells, attained the position of being able to distinguish 

 old from young cells, the view that young cells proceed from 

 old cells has been rendered doubtful. So long as cells were 

 considered as vesicles matters were not so clear as they are at 

 the present day ; the notions concerning division of cells 

 then represented the extent of our knowledge. 



Remak, in his views upon cell division, imagined that pro- 

 cesses grew from the cell-membrane into the interior of the 

 cell, and caused division of its contents. How to conceive of 

 the cell-membrane and its mode of growth, at that time there 

 was no need to inquire. The membrane then was not re- 

 garded, as at the present day, as a passive envelopiiig struc- 

 ture ; it was an integral part of the living cell, and concerning 

 the finer processes of life one would not, and was not required 

 to, speculate. 



