36 THE ACTIVE FORCES OF LIVING ORGANISMS 



the ether surrounding the molecules to constitute a 

 medium capable of transmitting minute vibrations 

 exactly corresponding to the chemical composition of 

 each class of molecules, we shall be able to under- 

 stand — in part at least — how it is that the loose 

 materials in the lymph always group themselves in 

 each region of the body in the same proportions, so 

 that the continuity of the tissues is insured. To put 

 the matter briefly, environment determines the nature 

 of the new product. 

 The degree But amongst the individual factors in this environ- 

 tion going ment there is one, namely oxygen, which plays the 

 deter-'' ^ foremost part. Oxidation is, as we well know, the 

 natoeV pivot on which all metabolism turns, and a given 

 pound™ degree of oxidation of the tissues is one of the 

 conditions essential to the formation of new tissue. 

 Chemical bodies containing a large proportion of 

 oxygen must naturally be formed under conditions of 

 relatively higher or intense oxidation. The intensity 

 of oxidation is probably dependent partly on vibratory 

 influences, and partly on the presence of a given 

 amount of oxygen. 



If we regard the ether as a medium permeating 

 the whole body, and everywhere surrounding the 

 molecules of which it is composed, we may suppose 

 that any movement whatever would throw it to a 

 greater or less extent into a state of vibration, and 

 with it the molecules also, so that they would react 

 upon the ether, and through it, as we have said, 

 upon the materials about to be formed into new 



