CHAPTER XIV 



THE AUXETIC ACTION OF GLOBIN 



THE fact that in-vitro experimentation has shown that 

 cell-division is directly caused by certain constituents 

 of the soluble remains of dead tissues made us consider 

 the possibility that there might be other sources of 

 these or similar agents. It was remembered how 

 frequently old chronic ulcers, when they heal, leave 

 the tissue pigmented, and it was considered possible 

 that this pigmentation might in some way be asso- 

 ciated with the healing process and its cell-prolifera- 

 tion. The pigment in ulcers is supposed to be derived 

 from haemoglobin. 



Melanotic sarcoma is generally accredited to be 

 the most prolific of all malignant growths. It is 

 characterised by the pigmented cells of which it is com- 

 posed. We have not been able to obtain a case of 

 melanotic sarcoma, for such cases are rather rare, but it 

 is generally the case that the pigment is contained in 

 the cytoplasm of the malignant cells. One of the 



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