PATHOOENESIS 303 



an eliminative symbiotic "elan," by a renewed identical 

 infection with poison in the anaphylactic case, and by a 

 renewed identical "infection" through fertilisation, i.e., 

 in-breeding, in the other, a "crisis" purporting segregation 

 (elimination) ensues. The "alloy-formation" (the apparent 

 tolerance or "immunity" in the one case, as the apparent 

 blend in the other) is only preliminary and temporary, the 

 state of latent anaphylactic intoxication being analogous to 

 the unstable and damaged F 1 generation. The sequel in 

 either case is segregation, i.e., elimination. 



It is clear from an analysis of the symptoms that the anaphylactic 

 poison, which we shall call apotoxin, poisons the central nervous system, 

 as I pointed out in 1902. Everything is indicative of this : the imme- 

 diate vomiting, the ataxia and vertigo, the dilation of the pupil, the 

 mind-blindness, and the vaso-motor paralysis. Apotoxin acts upon the 

 medulla and the highest nerve centres, which, in all cellular organisms, 

 are well known to be the most sensitive to the action of poisons. 



Again, what emerges is this : when a poison has 

 penetrated the ordinary defensive forces of the body, only a 

 supreme symbiotic elan on the part of the " reserves " of the 

 body can cope with it. Apotoxin, or some such poisonous 

 substance, is formed by way of compromise, capable of 

 producing such supreme effort through its actions upon the 

 highest nerve centres. Like a nation the body is intent upon 

 maintaining its individuality at all costs, though frequently 

 when they have sinned too long, nations as well as 

 organisms succumb in the final effort. It is pathetic 

 that frequently in the history of individuals, as in that 

 of nations, nothing but imminent danger (war) will call forth 

 progressive symbiotic efforts. But nations as well as 

 individuals, if there is any nobility left in them, may provide 

 in the last hour a symbiotic endeavour which they sadly lacked 

 in the days of prosperity. It is like a death-bed repentance.* 



* "The life of a nation is usually, like the flow of a lava stream, first bright 

 and fierce, then languid and covered, at last advancing only by the tumbling 

 over and over of its frozen blocks. (All men being partly encumbered and 

 crusted over with idle matter !) And that last condition is a sad one to look 

 upon." RUSKIN. 



