VITALISM 21 



very vitalistic form of conclusion: for some 

 independent factor seems to be postulated 

 which regulates the chemical processes 

 occurring within cells. From the standpoint 

 of the mechanistic theory, however r all that 

 need be assumed is that the chemical pro 

 cesses occurring within living cells are far 

 more complex than was at one time supposed. 

 For one thing, intra-cellular ferments or 

 enzymes seem to be largely concerned in 

 intra-cellular changes. If, therefore, oxi 

 dations and other intra-cellular chemical 

 processes are dependent on the liberation of 

 enzymes, we can readily understand why 

 these processes do not increase or diminish 

 in the same manner as the simpler processes 

 commonly met with outside the living body. 

 By discovering the nature of the ferments 

 concerned, and the conditions determining 

 their liberation and mode of action, we may 

 hope to be able to give a complete physico- 

 chemical explanation of all the phenomena. 

 In any case, this seems to be the only line of 

 investigation likely to give fruitful results, 

 and nothing could be more futile than to 

 rest content with the theory that some 



B* 



