THE CELL DOCTRINE. 87 



The "Cell" or "Elementary Part" in Disease. 



Here, as in normal nutrition, the germinal matter 

 is alone active. It is impossible to state precisely 

 every instance, but it is probable that in the majority 

 of cases of disease, the morbid state consists es- 

 sentially in a modification of the healthy nutrition 

 of the cell, that is, the cell is made to grow more or 

 less rapidly, or is perverted in its mode of growth, 

 though it is likely that within certain limits, the con- 

 ditions under which cells ordinarily live may be 

 modified without deviation from health. But in in- 

 flammatory processes attended by local products, as 

 pus or lymph, and in the production of tubercle and 

 cancer we see the results of excessive multiplication 

 and perversion of germinal matter consequent upon 

 the appropriation of an excess of nutrient pabulum. 

 In other instances, as cirrhosis, where there is shrink- 

 ing, and hardening, and wasting, we see the effects 

 of a diminished supply of pabulum, either through 

 a diminution in the quantity supplied, or an imper- 

 meability in the septum through which it is com- 

 pelled to pass. 



An increased supply of pabulum may be admit- 

 ted to germinal matter, either in consequence of 

 the removal of barriers through which it is ordi- 

 narily compelled to pass, or in consequence of the 

 nature of the fluids by which it is bathed. A sim- 

 ple illustration is seen in suppuration in epithelium, 

 or the germinal matter of any tissue; for, according 

 to Beale, suppuration and morbid processes gene- 

 rally, are not restricted to any one kind of ger- 



