370 THE PROLIFERATION OF CANCER 



occur. It is difficult to imagine how a cell, having 

 started augmented divisions in response to a combina- 

 tion of alkaloid and auxetics, could in its subsequent 

 generations continue to divide by augmented divisions 

 when the cause of the augmentation is absent. We 

 have shown experimentally that if the supply of auxetic 

 to a cell ceases, the cell-division also ceases. This 

 experiment tends to dispose of the expressions "first 

 (heterotype) divisions and subsequent (homotype) 

 divisions," which in reality imply a mutation. We 

 think, therefore, that a metastatic growth consists of 

 a portion of the primary one transplanted elsewhere 

 along with some of the original cause of its augmented 

 proliferation. 



It is possible that in the later stages of cancer the 

 body-fluids may contain considerable amounts of alka- 

 loid, derived from the primary growths, which might, in 

 the event of a fresh healing focus occurring anywhere, 

 be sufficient to act in combination with the new local 

 auxetics, and so cause another "primary" growth. If 

 such occurred, it would probably be mistaken for and 

 called a secondary growth. 



Lastly it may be mentioned that if cancer is due to 

 putrefaction occurring in a chronic healing site, there 

 may be something in the view upheld by many, that 

 the disease occurs frequently in certain localities or 

 even in certain houses. Doubtless putrefaction will 

 occur more readily in certain places, because the 

 bacteria of putrefaction may infest the air there. In 

 connection with this I may recall the remark al- 

 ready noted which was made to me by Sir William 



