88 THE PROTEOMORPHIC THEORY AND THE NEW MEDICINE 



example, alfalfa seed protein) is difficult of explanation. The 

 thought naturally suggests itself that the anaphylactic shock may 

 be due to the action of the full-sized protein molecule on the 

 brain cells, which is not entirely consistent with the explanations 

 of anaphylaxis above suggested. It should be understood, how- 

 ever, that this explanation is at best only tentative. The phe- 

 nomena of anaphylaxis are exceedingly puzzling and by no means 

 fully understood. I wish frankly to state that no other hypothe- 

 sis in connection with the general thesis of the Proteomorphic 

 theory is presented with greater diffidence or should be held 

 with greater reserve than that connected with anaphylaxis. The 

 full and satisfactory explanation of the subject awaits a much 

 more comprehensive and penetrating knowledge of the general 

 relations of foreign proteins in the blood stream to the central 

 nervous system than is at present available. 



Nevertheless, it appears to me that, in view of what we have 

 already seen of the relations of the red corpuscles to the process 

 of ultimate protein hydrolysis, the further investigation of the 

 phenomena of anaphylaxis should be conducted always with the 

 newly discovered functions of the red corpuscles clearly in mind. 



As corroborating the view just presented, according to which 

 protein-product intoxication is due to the incapacitating of the 

 red corpuscle; and at the same time in corroboration of the 

 general view that the red corpuscle is the agent called upon to 

 deal with the toxic products of protein generation, we may recall 

 the clinical fact that when a tapeworm dies in the intestinal 

 tract, and decomposes there, the absorption of its toxic products 

 may induce the condition known as bothriocephalus anemia, a 

 characteristic symptom of which is the very great and persistent 

 reduction in the numbers of the red blood corpuscles. 



The red cells absorb the toxin, and effect its removal through 

 the liver ; but, owing to the persistence of the supply, such num- 

 bers of the corpuscles are involved that their ranks are presently 

 depleted, the cytogenic apparatus being unable to manufacture 

 them at so abnormal a rate. The general symptoms of pernicious 

 anemia, due to reduction of the oxygen- and food-carriers, fol- 

 low as a matter of course ; but all the symptoms clear up rapidly 

 so soon as the dead worm is expelled from the bowel. 



THE SYNTHESIS OF PROTEIN 



Incidentally, it may be urged that the profound systemic dis- 

 turbances that accompany a reduction in the number of red blood 

 corpuscles in this case would never result were the chief func- 

 tion of these cells merely to carry oxygen, as is commonly con- 

 ceived. Under ordinary conditions the systemic cells require but 



