242 BIOPLASM IN DISEASE. 



glands, bioplasts in as well as upon the villi, some of those 

 upon the surface of mucous membranes, others in con- 

 nection with muscle, nerve, bone, cartilage, and some other 

 tissues, are of this nature, and consist of living bioplasm, 

 with mere traces of soft formed material around each mass, 

 or without any trace whatever of structure that could be 

 regarded as being analogous to cell-wall. There is no 

 tissue through which these soft living particles, or small 

 portions of living matter detached from them, may not 

 make their way. The destruction of tissue may be very 

 quickly effected by the growth and multiplication of such 

 naked masses of bioplasm. 



Many of the changes in disease result from the undue 

 growth of normal bioplasm. There is no operation peculiar 

 to living beings in health or in disease, in which bioplasm 

 or living matter of some form does not take part. 



Within certain limits, the conditions under which cells 

 ordinarily live may be modified without any departure from 

 the healthy state, but if the conditions be very considerably 

 changed, disease may result, or the cell may die. For 

 instance, if cells, which in their normal state grow slowly, 

 be supplied with an excess of nutrient pabulum, and increase 

 in number very quickly, a morbid state is engendered. Or 

 if, on the other hand, the rate at which multiplication takes 

 place be reduced in consequence of an insufficient supply 

 of nourishment, or from other causes, a diseased state may 

 result. So that, in the great majority of cases, disease or 

 the morbid state will be found to essentially differ from 

 health or the healthy state in this : The rate of growth and 

 multiplication of the bioplasm of the blood, or that of one or 

 more particular tissues or organs is increased or reduced. 



