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PREFACE. 



T~N presenting this book, the result of ten years' intense labor, to the 

 -*- public, I am aware that not all the facts and conclusions here laid 

 down will meet the immediate approval of professional microscopists. 



The cell-theory, which for more than thirty years held sway over the 

 minds of scientists, was contradicted by me in 1873, when I demonstrated 

 the continuity of all elements engaged in the construction of tissues. In 

 1872, 1 discovered the connections between cartilage-corpuscles, which, 

 thanks to a simplified method, are now easily seen. Shortly afterward, 

 the intimate structure of " protoplasm" was discovered, and it was found 

 that the same structure is present throughout all the interstitial sub- 

 stances which had hitherto been considered lifeless. 



As many of the assertions made in 1872 and 1873 have already been 

 found correct by good observers, I confidently expect that the others 

 too will, in time, be accepted, although directly contrary to the cell- 

 theory. 



In the autumn of 1874 I left Vienna, and, on the first of November 

 of the same year, opened a laboratory for microscopical investigation in 

 New- York. This has proved successful beyond all expectation. Over 

 seven hundred attendants, among them some of the most intellectual 

 and independent members of the medical profession, have here satisfied 

 themselves of the correctness of my assertions. A number of these have 

 made valuable investigations in my laboratory, the results of which will 

 be found embodied in various articles in this book.' 



In view of these facts, I can await patiently the approval of scientists 

 abroad. A doctrine which is accepted by good observers in America 

 cannot be lost, but will develop independently of European microscop- 

 ists, who, to a great extent, are prejudiced by the teachings of the older 

 masters. 



Again have facts made it evident that the United States of America 

 are ahead whenever new ideas of practical importance are to be acknowl- 

 edged. I have received, in New- York, much encouragement from my 

 students and co-workers. I have also been magnanimously supported by 

 a friend, who is not a medical man, but a prince in character and wealth, 

 and who surpasses most European princes in that he will not allow me to 

 inscribe his name upon the dedicatory page. 



The illustrations of this book are, without exception, my own draw- 

 ings, and have been transferred on metal to my complete satisfaction by 

 the Moss Engraving Company, of this city. 



C. HEITZMANN. 



39 WEST 45Tii STREET, NEW-YORK, August, 1882. 



