256 ON THE ORIGIN 



particularly in the capillaries in various parts of the 

 body, that the dreadful effects exerted by these 

 particles in an organism into which some have been 

 introduced by inoculation, must be attributed. 



It seems, then, that every stage in the production 

 of at least this particular virulent poison, may be 

 watched and studied, and from the facts ascertained a 

 connected history of its development may be com- 

 piled. We have seen that the first particles of 

 bioplasm resulted directly from the bioplasm of the 

 blood. In consequence of continued free access of 

 nutrient material, series after series, generation after 

 generation, of new particles was produced ; each 

 series degenerating in formative power, and acquiring 

 new powers, but of mere growth and multiplication, 

 and a capacity for living upon materials which would 

 not have been appropriated by the bioplasm from 

 which it originated. 



The following diagram may perhaps assist in 

 rendering my meaning clearer : 



abed e f 



White blood- Contagious 



corpuscle. disease germs, 



Healthy bioplasm. Morbid bioplasm, 



Formative. Destructive. 



Successive series of living particles resulting from the growth and 



