142 THE PROTEOMORPHIC THEORY AND THE NEW MEDICINE 



day; and it may fairly be asserted that each will give evidence, 

 both clinical and hematological, of an organic response that is 

 definite and highly gratifying. 



As to what will be the ultimate extent of such response, no 

 predictions can be made in any individual case. It is axiomatic 

 to say that everything depends upon the degree of involvement 

 of tissues, both local and general ; the inherent vitality of the 

 patient; and the responsive capacities of the blood-forming 

 mechanism. These are matters regarding which no two patients 

 will be precisely alike, and regarding which the physician cannot 

 always form an accurate estimate. In particular, that intangible 

 but highly important thing which we call inherent vitality may 

 come to the rescue of many a patient whose case seemed hope- 

 less; whereas another patient whose state seemed less desperate 

 may not have quite the same recuperative qualities of cellular 

 tissue. The wise physician will always hold prognosis in abey- 

 ance and watch for results before forming an opinion in his own 

 mind as to the outcome. 



I would call attention to what I have said in the cancer 

 Monograph as to the absurdity of hoping to restore cells that 

 are actually degenerated, reiterating that this can no more be 

 expected when these cells are part of the liver or pancreas or 

 lung than when they are part of an amputated arm or leg. 

 But I would also repeat that we can seldom feel certain as to the 

 amount of involvement of tissue in any given case where an 

 internal organ is involved ; and, secondly, that a comparatively 

 small portion of remaining normal tissue may sometimes show 

 surprising capacity to take on itself functions of the entire organ. 

 A familiar case illustrating the latter point is the well-known 

 capacity of one kidney to do the work of both. 



Questions of ultimate prognosis aside, however, we are justi- 

 fied by present experience in expecting that, in a very large 

 proportion of cases of the kind just cited (late stage tuberculosis 

 and cancer), as well as in a variety of other conditions of dis- 

 turbed protein metabolism that have led to anaemic and cachetic 

 conditions, the exhibition of Proteals will produce at least a 

 temporary response of the blood-forming organs that will be 

 manifested in marked modification of the blood count and in 

 more or less conspicuous clinical improvement of the patient. 



I think I am speaking within bounds when I say that my ex- 

 perience justifies the conclusion that the Proteals, thus admin- 

 istered, have such powers of stimulating the blood-forming 

 mechanism as to place them in a class quite by themselves among 

 tonic remedies. I have much confidence that the future will 

 justify my present belief that this form of medication is destined 



