2 INTRODUCTION 



diseases (aphthous fever, strangles, influenza, contagious pneu- 

 monia), the spontaneous recoveries from colic in numerous cases, 

 and many other natural healing and corrective processes verify 

 this statement. 



A clear insight into the nature of spontaneous healing is afforded 

 by a study of the processes of inflammation. While the inflam- 

 matory changes were formerly regarded as harmful and were com- 

 bated with remedies that reduce inflammation, especially cold, it is 

 now known that inflammation is a healing reaction and should 

 not be opposed but favored. Just as fever, pain, cough, vomiting, 

 diarrhoea, and other disease phenomena exert a natural healing 

 tendency in removing and combating the cause of disease, so do 

 the processes attending inflammation constitute a natural elimi- 

 native and healing process. The dilation and hypersemia of the 

 vessels; the change in the capillary walls by which they become 

 permeable; the out-wandering of the white blood-cells (local 

 leucocjrtosis) and the exudation of blood-plasma into the tissues; 

 the removal of endotoxins from the inflamed area by phagocy- 

 tosis; the proliferation of the autochthonous connective-tissue 

 cells; the liquefaction and resolution of the solid inflammatory- 

 products by enzymes (lysins) ; the occurrence of toxin-binding, neu- 

 tralizing antitoxins, of bacteria-destroying humoral and leucocytic 

 bactericides (bacteriolysins), of bacteria-clumping agglutinins, and 

 of opsonins which prepare the bacteria to be taken up by phagocy- 

 tosis; the leucocytosis of the blood (lymphocytes, neutrophiles, 

 eosinophile leucocytes); positive and negative chemotaxis; the 

 regeneration of the injured tissue-cells by increased growth of 

 cells; proliferation of tissues and capsule formation — all these are 

 nothing more than protective and healing processes directed 

 against the causes of disease, especially bacteria, and to the regener- 

 ation of the injured tissue, such regeneration occurring in living, 

 healthy animal bodies through the adaptability and reproductive 

 powers of the cells. These natural eliminative and regenerative 

 processes should not be disturbed by improper treatment, but 

 should be regarded as natural healing processes and not only 

 favored but even stimulated under certain circumstances. 



