168 Dynamic Theory. 



Gout consists chiefi} T of a deposit of urate of soda in and about the 

 joints, and sometimes other parts of the system. The small amount of 

 urate of soda produced in the system in ordinary health is constantly 

 carried off in the excretions. But the quantity generated in persons in- 

 dulging in high living is greatly increased. If this increase is accom- 

 panied by a diminution of exercise, by which certain parts cease to be 

 wasted, and so cease to receive their quota of proper nutriment and 

 thereby become centres of inactivity, the foreign matters are excreted 

 upon these parts instead of out of the body. They become a receptacle 

 of garbage a sort of dumping ground. This disease is often heredi- 

 tary and occurs in young persons when inherited, but is not acquired 

 before the age 35 when not hereditary. 



These facts show that new formations even malformations may 

 possess vital and reproductive functions. And it is not to be predicted 

 whether such new formations shall continue or not. That point is set- 

 tled by the subsequent action of the environment, and the sort of habits 

 it puts upon the organism. 



The calcareous shells of marine animals, and the pearls found in cer- 

 tain bivalves, are composed of excremental substances. The matter 

 composing the shells is deposited in the space under the skin, a place 

 of deposit that, proving of service in the preservation of the animal, has 

 become hereditary and normal. 



The abnormal deposit of the matter composing the pearls, is no ad- 

 vantage to the animal, but rather a disadvantage, since they are hunted 

 for its sake. Nevertheless, certain tribes are more or less subject to 

 the disease, and it is, doubtless, more or less hereditary. Pearl-diving 

 is as if some superior race should swoop down on our planet for the 

 purpose of securing human beings possessed of the most beautiful 

 cancers. 



It appears to me no violent assumption to suppose that the deposit of 

 gelatinous and of inorganic matters in parts of muscular and other tis- 

 sue, in which the normal activities and renewals of such tissue had be- 

 come suspended, was the origin of the osseous system. And that such 

 primary abnormal deposit being subsequently subjected to the utilita- 

 rian test and not found wanting, was selected by natural causes as a 

 permanent feature of the organism. All subsequent modifications 

 caused by modified habits whereby the system has been extended or 

 curtailed, have originated as deformities or diseases, have been likewise 

 subjected to the test of natural selection, and have survived only be- 

 cause useful to their owner. 



The pelvic arch has, in certain animals, a remarkable modification in 

 the possession of what are called the marsupial bones. These are two 

 long, blade-like bones that articulate with the pubis in front and run 



