272 MAN --AN ADAPTIVE MECHANISM 



Since excessive protein diet causes the same kinetic 

 activation as overwork, worry or infection, we can 

 understand why it can also precipitate the same kinetic 

 diseases; why, also, though it may not be the real 

 cause of any given disease, it nevertheless may be an 

 injurious aggravating factor; and why limiting the 

 protein diet of one suffering from a disease of the 

 kinetic system may be as beneficial as rest, freedom 

 from worry or getting rid of an infection. We can 

 understand how cardiovascular and cardiorenal disease 

 may be produced by excessive food ; and how they 

 may be aggravated by excessive muscular work, and 

 improved by muscular repose ; how nephritis may be 

 augmented by excessive protein diet or improved by a 

 rigidly limited diet. 



By this conception we link "metabolism" with other 

 adaptive reactions which involve the kinetic system 

 and are governed by the internal and external environ- 

 ment. In other words, metabolism is not the cause 

 but the result of internal or external environmental 

 stimulation of the kinetic system. When the kinetic 

 system is activated, metabolism results ; when the 

 kinetic system is quiescent, metabolism is quiescent; 

 when a link of the kinetic system is impaired, 

 metabolism is impeded. When one link of the kinetic 

 system is completely broken, metabolism the trans- 

 formation of energy ceases. Metabolism depends 

 upon the unity and integrity of the kinetic system 

 as much as the complete action of an automobile de- 

 pends upon the integrity of the essential parts of its 

 motor. In fact the kinetic system is the motor of the 

 body, the driving power and no less the driven 



