MODERN STEPS OF PROGRESS. 
II 
undertake with success the closer investigation of those actions 
we call “ life; ” the proteids of the living cells must have another 
chemical constitution than that of the dead cells.” And: 
“ It is of essential significance, that albuminous substances isolat¬ 
ed at very low temperatures from living animals, are of a very 
changeable character, as for instance the blood plasm, the oxy- 
haemoglobin, the myosin.” “ The most important function, nay 
even the most characteristic feature of life itself is the formation 
of labil albumen molecules.” 
O. Rosenbach , discussing the vital phenomena 1 2 3) 4 concludes: 
“ Death is the suspension of the labil equilibrium of atoms in 
the living matter.” Among the plant-physiologists was Detmer 
the only one, who defended the new ideas ; but his modifications 
will hardly find approval. He assumes, that the atoms of the 
“ living albumen molecules ” are in such a lively motion, that a 
continuous dissociation of the albumen-molecules takes place, 
forming thereby on the one hand non-nitrogenous substances as 
glucose and on the other amides. By this dissociation respiration is 
induced, and the other vital phenomena are made possible.Such 
a hypothesis however is incompatible with the great sensibility 
of the protoplasm towards every disturbing influence. The con¬ 
tinuous regeneration supposed by Detmer would be simply an 
impossibility, as death would have resulted from the dissociation. 
The view of Detmer would well nigh answer for a description of a 
protoplasm committing suicide. 
1) Ber. d. Deutschen Chem. Ges. Vol. 18, p. 385. 
2) Pflügers Arch. Vol. 31, p. 336. 
3) Aufgaben der Therapie, Chapt. 14. (i8gi). 
4) Vergleichende Physiologie des Keimungsprocesses, Jena 1880.—Ber. d. Deut¬ 
schen Botan. Ges. 1893. 
