THE GERM THEORY OF CARIES. 163 



whether it be illness or the disorganization of structures. 

 The power of the life force is always manifested in the remo- 

 leculization of matter. The chemical forces of matter are 

 the playthings of the life force. The molecule is compelled 

 to admit other elements, is split in twain, is torn to pieces for 

 the formation of other molecules of a different character ; and 

 finally, it is cast aside, so changed in its molecular and physical 

 characters that it is unrecognizable as the same, outside of the 

 chemist's laboratory. Life is an immaterial force, but its 

 dealings are with the material. In the study of the questions 

 now before us, it is with these remoleculizations of matter 

 that we have to deal. The mere physical power of these 

 low organisms, while in some peculiar positions it may 

 amount to something, may, as a rule, be left out of the 

 count entirely. 



If micro-organisms decompose an organic body, they do so 

 by furnishing, through their remoleculizatious, a chemical 

 substance capable of acting on that body. And, furthermore, 

 this substance may, and generally is, produced by the remo- 

 leculization of the elements of the organic body being decom- 

 posed. Bacterium lactis lives at the expense of starch or 

 sugar. 



If micro-organisms cause an illness, a fever, or an inflam- 

 mation, it is because that organism, in its remoleculizations of 

 matter, elaborates a toxic substance capable of producing 

 these results. What is the source of the greater number of 

 the toxic substances known and used in the medical world 

 to-day ? Take strychnia, opium, quinia, rhubarb, aconite, vera- 

 trurn, atropia, nicotine, and a host of others ; are they not 

 the results of remoleculizations by the life force as manifested 

 in plants ? Then take alcohol, ammonia, succinic acid, pro- 

 piouic acid, lactic acid, and many other toxic and irritant sub- 

 stances, are they not the result of remoleculizations, brought 



