BANISHING THE PLAGUES 



A graphic idea of what takes place when the par- 

 ticles of a toxin circulate in the blood of a patient 

 may be gained if we think of each poison-conveying 

 particle as having a specific form that enables it to 

 fit into a corresponding particle of the normal cellu- 

 lar tissues somewhat as a key fits (into a lock. If the 

 toxic particles are introduced into the system in suffi- 

 cient quantities, they link themselves in large num- 

 bers with the body cells, thereby conveying their 

 poison to the essential living tissues, and disturbing 

 the physiological processes so profoundly as perhaps 

 to cause the death of the patient. 



But the bodily cells, if not too quickly overpow- 

 ered, tend to combat the enemy by sending out what 

 may be called anti-bodies which are of such form as 

 to unite with the toxic particles. Each toxic particle 

 thus united with an anti-body is like a key perma- 

 nently fitted into a detachable lock. Toxin and anti- 

 toxin (key and lock) then float in the blood stream 

 harmlessly, and in course of time are excreted from 

 the body. 



As nature does nothing by halves, the cells that 

 send out the antitoxin are not content to -produce 

 just particles enough to checkmate each toxic par- 

 ticle. They send out a surplus supply, and these 

 supernumerary particles float unattached in the blood 

 for an indefinite period, ready at any time to attach 

 themselves to toxins of the particular kind that evoke 

 their presence. And persons in whose blood stream 

 such antitoxic particles or antibodies are present are 

 immune to the specific disease whose toxins pro- 

 voked the sending out of these antibodies. 



227 * 



