METHODS 107 



verified that the activity of a living body A in the sum total 

 of circumstances B can be summed up in the function repre- 

 sented by the symbolic formula (A x B). 



But if we are able to decompose the sum total B into 

 several terms, B 1? B 2 , B 3 , . . ., we can analyse the total 

 function (A x B) and decompose it into partial functions 

 (A x BJ), (A x B 2 ), (A x B 3 ), . . . We know, of course, 

 that when we make such an analysis we risk being incom- 

 plete, for we may neglect important phenomena result- 

 ing from the rebound of each of these partial functions on 

 the others. 



Nevertheless especially when a diastase that can be 

 isolated corresponds with each partial function (A x Bi), 

 (A x B 2 ), . . . we find a great advantage in using this 

 artificial analysis. 



Take the case in which the factors B l5 B 2 , B 3 , are colloids 

 transportable with their properties. According as we bring 

 into conflict with A a dominating quantity of one or other 

 of these substances B l5 for example we shall define and 

 develop by functional assimilation what we should call the 

 organ corresponding to the function (A x Bi). The result 

 would be the appearance of the diastase of this function in 

 the surrounding medium and the production of the diastase 

 would continue the organ which fabricates it being developed 

 even when we cease introducing the factor B! into the 

 medium. 



When we have studied as completely as possible the 

 species A with reference to all the substances which may 

 enter into conflict with it, we say, for example this species 

 is capable of secreting three well-defined diastases, one that 

 digests fats, another that digests sugars, and another that 

 digests albumens. And in any new functioning of this 

 living being A with relation to some complex substance we 



