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element nor the vehicle of the contagium. In a word, the micro- 
bian theory is a purely gratuitous assumption. 
Let us admit this, and compare it with the other theories 
which have been proposed to explain the virulent and contagious 
nature of some of the forms of disease. This comparison may 
somewhat enlighten the question. 
The value of a hypothesis is measured by the number and 
importance of the facts which it clearly, precisely, truly and 
scientifically explains; as well as by the progress which it has 
aided science in securing. Let us then pass in review some of 
the various theories proposed in explanation of the origin of vir¬ 
ulent and contagious diseases, while excluding the intervention of 
microbes. 
The theory of blastemas of Mr. Robin. —Though this gentle¬ 
man, so far as we know, has never published anything in relation 
to his opinions as to the value of the microbian theory, some of 
his pupils have made known the theory of their master in certain 
publications issued within the last ten or twenty years. 
In Mr. Robin’s view, all cells do not originate from other 
cells, in the form of granulation, egg or spore. Spontaneous 
generation , due to the action of elements essentially mineral in 
their nature, it is held, does not exist; but this generation or 
genesis takes place every day, at the expense of an organized and 
living, though liquid and amorphous matter, which is derived 
from other pre-existing cells. It is this liquid that Mr. Robins 
calls blastema. This proceeds from the excess of nutritive cells, 
or organized substance, which these cells exudate around them, 
and by which new cells are formed, complete, at the expense of 
this blastema, without taking more from one cell than another. 
It is thus according to Mr. Robin, that pus corpuscles are 
formed, which are a new creation, and are the result of the 
organization of a liquid exudated in all the organs, and is not the 
product of the swelliug alone, or of the proliferation and granu¬ 
lating of cells already existing, as admitted in some theories, 
especially those of Schiff and Cohnheim. 
This admitted, the origin of all the diseases will consist in a 
chemical or physiological alteration of the blastemas, which will 
