THE SCIENCE AND ART OF PROTEAL THERAPY 205 



was suggested above that the polynuclears deal with the proteins 

 at approximately the peptone stage, carrying hydrolysis to a stage 

 that fits the protein products for the purposes of the red cor- 

 puscles. On this assumption, it is logical to suppose that r.s the 

 red corpuscles are overworked, neutrophile recruits may be 

 called out to make sure that the largest possible proportion of 

 proteins in the blood is reduced to the polypeptid stage, thus re- 

 lieving, as far as may be, the strain on the red corpuscles. 



It was noted, however, that the polynuclears unquestionably 

 had to do with resistance to bacterial invasion ; and it was further 

 suggested that they perhaps have to do with the decompounding 

 of fats. These suppositions obviously introduce complications, 

 which must be borne in mind, but which do not call for more 

 elaborate consideration at the moment ; inasmuch as, in the case 

 under consideration, there was no acute bacterial invasion in 

 question, nor any sudden modification in diet on one hand or the 

 patient's weight on the other suggesting a change in the needs 

 of the organism as regards fat metabolism. Yet there was 

 apparently a very sudden modification in the systemic need of 

 polynuclear leucocytes. This modification was associated with 

 very marked increase in the numbers, and presumably in the 

 efficiency of the red corpuscles ; and a corresponding increase in 

 numbers and presumptive activities of the mononuclear cohorts. 



Viewing the matter with reference to these two essential modi- 

 fications, the thought obtrudes itself that when mononuclear 

 leucocytes on one hand and red corpuscles on the other are 

 working at maximum efficiency, their joint hydrolytic activities 

 cover the entire range of protein catabolism, leaving the polynu- 

 clears free for the auxiliary tasks of combating bacteria (with 

 their large lipoid content) and handling fats in general; possibly, 

 also, having to do with the catabolism of carbohydrates, the 

 latter possibility, however, being mentioned here only parenthet- 

 ically, as I have purposely refrained from complicating the 

 problem by reference to this group of alimentary constituents. 



Elaborating the view just suggested, we may assume that the 

 large mononuclear leucocytes begin the hydrolysis of proteins; 

 and that the small mononuclears, when working at maximum 

 efficiency, carry it forward to the stage of adequate preparation 

 for uses of the red corpuscles, which ultimately complete the 

 work of decompounding ; and that in proportion as this simplified 

 method of handling is perfected, the need for the services-of the 

 polynuclears in this connection is minimized. 



That this would represent to some extent a conservation of 

 bodily energies is suggested in the relative complexity of organi- 

 zation of the polynuclears. Seemingly the mononuclears are cells 



