728 INTERNAL SECRETIONS AND PRESERVATION OF LIFE. 



whether this be to distribute (1) the neutrophilic peptones, 

 myosinogen and fibrinogen granules; (2) the eosinophilic hem- 

 oglobin granules; or (3) the basophilic myelin granules. 



On page 668 we said: "The closer is the intimate nature 

 of the leucocyte examined, the more does it become evident that 

 this cell must be endowed with functions greatly exceeding in 

 importance any as yet ascribed to it." The results of our anal- 

 ysis seem to us to have fully sustained this assertion. Indeed, 

 if the functions subserved by these cells are enumerated, it will 

 be found that they supply the entire organism with the agencies 

 which combine with the oxidizing substance to insure the contin- 

 uation of life and the efficiency of all organic functions. 



THE FUNCTIONS OF LEUCOCYTES IN IMMUNITY. 



In the preceding chapter we ventured the opinion that 

 Ehrlich's side-chain theory did not, in its present form, account 

 for the protective phenomena witnessed in the organism, and 

 that the solution of the problem required research in other 

 directions. The complexity of this hypothetical process; the 

 need of specific toxophoric atoms to counteract as many spe- 

 cific toxins; the implied necessity of an antenatal arrangement 

 of the molecular elements of the cells, with adjustment to 

 the requirements of existence in disease-ridden communities; 

 Ehrlich's own investigations showing that immunity is not 

 transferred to progeny through the germinal cell, etc., were 

 adduced as fundamental reasons for the position taken. What 

 work we have done since has but emphasized these objections, 

 especially as regards the multiplicity of antitoxins, cytolysins, 

 and haptophore groups. But it has also brought to light, it 

 seems to us, those features of his invaluable researches which 

 are beyond the domain of pure conjecture. 



Professor Welch, in his masterly Harvey Lecture, quotes 

 Behring's terse definition of Ehrlich's theory: i.e., "The same 

 substance which, when incorporated in the cells of the living 

 body, is the prerequisite and condition for an intoxication, be- 

 comes the means of cure when it exists in the circulating blood." 

 As, in the light of our own views, the cell involved is a leuco- 

 cyte, the prophylactic function would thus be exercised by gran- 

 ules formed mainly of products of digestion. If the foods in- 



