16 Transactions Texas Academy of Science. 
in unvarying periods of time which are distinctive of each kind of 
atom, and that of etherial wave-motions vibrating in equal periods 
with 'the atoms that produce them, the law of ‘interference? enables 
ns to understand how atomic wave-motions may be supplemented 
or antagonized by other atomic wave-motions, and how molecular 
wave-motions may, likewise, be similarly influenced by other molec- 
ular waves; that, in fact, the molecular waves which give a sub- 
stance its energy will vary with molecular grouping. Now it is in 
these principles of molecular dynamics, and in chemistry and 
biology, that, we believe, is to be found the explanation of cell 
metabolism — constructive and destructive — of fermentation, of 
infection and immunity.” On page 66,- he says: “It is only when 
the molecular vibrations of a ferment, whether this be a living, 
organized ferment, or a non-living, unorganized ferment, coincide 
with those of a fermentable substance, that the latter may be dis- 
rupted by the former, and fermentation ensue.” While these two 
quotations do not adequately present Dr. McLaughlin’s theory, 
they suggest a connecting link with the physical hypothesis of de 
J ager. 
“Starting with Naegeli’s view that fermenting yeast-cells emit 
vibrations which pass out of the cells and decompose the sugar in 
the solution surrounding them, de Jager suggests that the enzymes 
may be regarded not as substances at all, but as the vibrations them- 
selves; that is, as properties of substances rather than material 
bodies.” 15 He compares them to light, electricity, magnetism. 
That fermentation does not depend upon chemical action of a 
molecular substance, but that chemical transformations are brought 
about by physical forces. Maurice Arthus 16 has very ingeniously 
elaborated the theory of de Jager. 
O’Sullivan and Tompson 17 have shown that invertase is capable 
of inverting more than 100,000 times its own weight of cane sugar 
without exhausting itself ; and Tamman 18 proved that under proper 
conditions the enzyme is decomposed during its activity with 
extreme slowness. These reactions find their parallel in the action 
of nitric oxide in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and in the 
action of sulphuric acid in the production of ethyl oxide; and 
Bredig and von Berneck 19 have recently shown that “one gram- 
atom (193 grams) of colloidal platinum diffused through seventy 
million litres of water shows a perceptible action on more than a 
million times the quantity of hydrogen peroxide.” 
In these four instances it will be observed that the invertase, 
nitric oxide, sulphuric acid, and colloidal platinum acted solely in 
the capacity of catalyzers; that is, they modified the time factor 
