134 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 



izes antigens outside of the cells, and prevents the direct and 

 too rapid transformation of one foreign species to another. 



Thus in the last analysis, an organism can be nourished 

 only by simple chemical compounds and can assimilate 

 them only in proportions identical to those in which the.y 

 are composed in its colloidal complexes. The absorption 

 by the interior of the organism of a complex of different 

 composition and constitution will always result in the creation 

 of a new and abnormal state of equilibrium. 



This is a general biologic law applicable to all the mani- 

 festations of living matter without excepting the evolution 

 of conscience and the formation of states of mind. In fact 

 in analyzing the evolution of thought we find that a mind 

 can directly absorb only simple ideas and can assimilate 

 them without trouble only in proportions identical to those in 

 which its own complex of ideas is formed. Complexes of 

 ideas foreign to its understanding and which one may com- 

 pare to specifically different "micelles" can be assimilated 

 only on condition that they can be digested, that is to say, 

 can be analyzed or dissociated. If this is so, a state of simple 

 immunity or immunity-anaphylaxis, a new state of psychic 

 equilibrium will result by a process analogous to that which 

 induces modifications in the states of chemical and physio- 

 logical equilibrium of "micelles" and cells. A new theory, 

 a new religion, a new political or social system introduced too 

 suddenly or in too large a dose into subjects insufficiently or 

 badly prepared will always upset the normal equilibrium. 

 This is a pathologic state, quite as serious in the soul of 

 individuals and of societies as too large a dose of antigens 

 in the cell and in the organism. 



