136 SUPER-ORGANIC EVOLUTION 



This want of equilibrium in the output, with a loss 

 of useful force and an increase in the residues, is 

 the source of all the diseases called constitutional ; 

 the more so that the formula N' (A', B', C', D'), on 

 increasing the residues, alters their quality also, 

 which, from the very fact of their not being normal, 

 is toxic. Arthritis, with its derivatives, gout, 

 rheumatism, obesity, diabetes, etc., originate from 

 the change of the chemical mechanics of the 

 formula N. 



The importance of constitutional diseases is all 

 the greater in that, by avoiding these, the distribu- 

 tion of infectious complaints would be impossible. 



Dr Eoux of Lyons, and other illustrious patho- 

 logists, prove that it is not possible to admit the 

 classical division of microbiology into saprogenous 

 and pathogenous bacteria. The former, until 

 recently considered innocuous, acquire virulence 

 under certain conditions and become pathogenous. 



The series of each of these, as well as a detailed 

 acquaintance with their vital conditions, are not 

 wholly known, as we are at present obliged to 

 substitute the above-mentioned classification for 

 the latter more sensible one and better suited to 

 the facts, namely, pathogenous and non-patho- 

 genous bacteria. 



The important question of the specific cause of 

 each disease seems to be at present less absolute, 



