THE AUTOGENOUS DISEASES. 487 



the absorption of bile in cases of obstructive jaupdice. Our studies 

 of the leucomains have shown that small amounts of substances more 

 or less toxic are constantly being formed in cellular metabolism, and 

 the undue retention of these leads to disease. 



5. That certain cells in the body fail to adjust themselves to gen- 

 eral alterations taking place in other organs at certain periods of life, 

 is quite evident. So true is this that the physician recognizes the 

 fact that there are certain periods, such as that of puberty and the 

 climacteric, which are accompanied by special dangers to health and 

 even to life. The most plausible explanation of this is on the sup- 

 position that in the special disturbances of certain organs other parts 

 of the body fall out of harmony, and the parts no longer work to- 

 gether smoothly. 



6. Under conditions but little understood at present certain cells 

 of the body fail to utilize certain food-stuffs. This is true, for in- 

 stance, in certain forms of diabetes. The cells which are accustomed 

 to absorb and utilize the sugars find themselves unable to accomplish 

 this duty, and the unused sugar acts as a poison to other tissues. 



7. Active poisons are sometimes formed by certain cells in the 

 body. In this way we account for the presence of certain of the 

 more highly toxic leucomains and some of the more poisonous acids, 

 such as oxy-butyric, and some of the poisonous gases, such as hydro- 

 gen sulphid and methyl mercaptan, and some of the alkaloidal bodies 

 wbich have been discussed in the chapter on leucomains. 



