DEFENSE BY THE BODY CELLS 275 



At this moment, the phagocytes make a direct 

 attack upon the invaders themselves. Feast on 

 them, devour them, in full satisfaction of appetite. 



At the same time, the alarm is sounded through 

 all the communities of the body cells. Each com- 

 munity is aroused to do its share of defense. As 

 if inspired by one motive, and directed by an inner 

 body intelligence, all the communities of the body 

 cells act together to produce a counteracting 

 poison, a poison which shall destroy the poison 

 manufactured by the disease germs, Nature's 

 antitoxine. 



If the phagocytic defense, united with the cell 

 defense, is sufficient, the disease is overpowered. 

 The patient suffers slightly, recovers. 



If not, the patient suffers more severely, may 

 recover, or not. 



The pivotal point, on which the whole matter 

 turns, is the condition of the body. If in good 

 health, all the organs sound, vigorous, in good 

 working order, the amount of antitoxine manu- 

 factured by the cells, with the help of the phago- 

 cytes, is able to neutralize the poison manufactured 

 by the enemy, and the body wins. But if the body 

 is in poor health, its forces in feeble state, not 

 in good fighting trim, unless the natural forces 

 are re-enforced, the enemy wins. 



