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 increased, but also, without doubt, the mutual influence of different kinds of cells, by means of certain secretions, would be much hindered. And not infrequently we should find that some substance, that was quite specific in its structure, would be caught up by disharmonious substances circulating in the blood, and would be either altered or completely annihilated. In a short time the extraordinarily delicate regulation of the general metabolism would be thrown out of gear, and all kinds of injuries would inevitably result. The intermediate products in particular, which may vary in any given case, would give rise to disturbances.

The cell, as has already been mentioned, always works by degrees, for it is quite incapable of suddenly decomposing a complicated molecule, and of directly transforming it by means of combustion into its final products. The cell builds step by step, and so preserves the equilibrium of its energic metabolism. The rapid combustion of albumen, fats, and polysaccharides would, in certain places, suddenly produce a great deal of energy, which would appear in the form of heat, and under certain circumstances would destroy the life of the cell itself. In consequence, the gradual acquisition of the energic contents of the food is of the greatest value for the maintenance of all the finely graded processes of metabolism, as well as for the functions of the individual cell; while, on