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HEREDITY AND CELL STRUCTURE.
970
recently
that success has crowned his efforts. It only therefore behoves us not to view the subject lightly, nor to under-estimate the difficulties in the way. It is not by a mere statement of the seriousness of the position that we shall succeed in the good work. An exceptional opportunity presents itself at the moment. There is a Bill in Parliament during this session to amend the Milk and Dairies Act of 1915. One of its provisions is (3) (2) " for requiring milk to be treated by such process or processes as may be preThe Order referred to is scribed in the Order." authorised by Section 1 of the principal Act. It will be agreed that the authority of an Order issuing from a Government department-however great may be the confidence of the public in that department and however well founded may be that confidence-must lack somewhat of the weight which attaches to an Act of Parliament itself. With these reflections in my mind, and deeply impressed by the very great importance of the subject, I desire to suggest to everyone, and, of course, particularly to my confreres, that we should seize every opportunity to attempt to secure an amendment to the Act-slight, but important-so that pasteurisation of all but graded and certified milk be provided for in the Act itself. Moreover, "pasteurisation" needs to be carefully defined. There are processes for the " commercial " pasteurisation of milk which are simply shams. The need for enlightenment, and the persistence of obscured judgment even in high places, is well shown in a report 1 of an appeal from a decision of the Ryde justices, dismissing a summons against a milk vendor for selling milk containing (as well as dirt) dung, and " swarming with bacteria and microscopic organisms." The Lord Chief Justice of England with two other judges dismissed the appeal, thus establishing the legal right of milk vendors in this land to sell milk containing manure. H.M. Judges seemed to be determined in their decision by the fact that the contamination was of microscopic character. Apparently they are unaware that tuberculosis and other fatal maladies are caused by living particles which are microscopic All the more need that we or ultra-microscopic. "illuminati" should spread abroad the simple facts of this all-important subject. Let us therefore write at once to our representatives in Parliament setting forth shortly the simple facts in the most
telling
manner.
I am, ’
Sir, yours faithfully, S. G. MOORE,
Oct. 26th, 1920.
Medical Officer of Health, Huddersfield.
HEREDITY AND CELL STRUCTURE. To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
formerly used in the formation of milk. It therefore divides and produces two daughter cells which, like their parent, are incapable of performing the functions properly appertaining to them, and are capable only of multiplying. This, however, can only be brought about in one of two ways-either the daughter cells have inherited a characteristic acquired by the parent cell, viz., predominance of reproduction over function, or in the nucleus of healthy cells there two distinct parts, one regulating the higher functions of the cell, the other regulating reproduction and the former part has been destroyed. The latter hypothesis is that of Oertel, and is open to the objection that the existence of two such parts in a nucleus has never yet been demonstrated. Moreover, even had they been proved to exist the explanation is openthough not, perhaps, quite so obviously and definitelyto the same objection as the former hypothesis. The balance of evidence is overwhelmingly in favour of the contention that acquired characteristics cannot be inherited by the offspring. Granted that this is not yet proved beyond all question, yet it is obviously absolutely unjustifiable to assume that the contrary is true. !i And every theory that postulates an extraneous cause as the origin of cancer is faced by this same difficulty, except that cause be a bacterial or protozoal which itself multiplies and progressively causes are
virus, these changes throughout of tissue,
a
continually increasing
mass
that it is no longer a question of one cell being injured and reproducing others similarly injured. Such a is, however, not attractive, and there is no convincing, scarcely even suggestive, argument in its favour. Hence it would appear that only one possibility remains-that cancer is due not to a change produced in a hitherto normal cell, but to some inherent defect in the germ plasm. This term is admittedly indefinite, but is sufficient to give an idea of the fact at which I am aiming. It is used in its original sense as denoting that part of the germ cell of which the chemical, physical, and molecular structure enables the cell to become, in appropriate circumstances, a normal, fully-developed individual ofthe same species. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, STANLEY WYARD. Wimpale-street, W., Oct. 24th, 1920. so
supposition
THE CEREBRO-SPINAL FLUID IN TABES DORSALIS. To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,-In your issue of Oct. 23rd Dr. Judson Bury, in interesting article entitled " Symptoms Resembling Tabes Dorsalis Arising after Anti-typhoid Inoculation," raises again the question as to whether true tabes dorsalis can occur without syphilis. I had hoped that the routine examination of the cerebro-spinal fluid might settle the question once and for all. I agree with Dr. Bury that except in very rare cases the presence of syphilis can be demonstrated by modern methods, and that therefore the hope expressed above has been fulfilled. On a priori grounds, however, one variety of tabes might not be expected to give syphilitic reactions; and such cases are,I believe, found in practice. I refer to those cases in which the original lesion of an inflammatory nature has given place to a very chronic degenerative change without meningeal symptoms, and consequently without marked findings in the cerebrospinal fluid. Dr. Bury’s case does not appear to be of this type on account of the age of the patient (36 years)
his
SIR,-Dr. Alexander Paine personally and yourself by implication in your leading article on the subject have suggested discussion of his very interesting paper on the Origin of Cancer published in your columns on Oct. 2nd. I therefore venture to offer a criticism, since it seems to me that the whole theory developed therein depends upon an assumption which in the present state of our knowledge is not only unproven but almost disproved. Dr. Paine in his paper suggests (as I understand him) that a noxious body-e.g., a bacterial toxin-may in certain circumstances be capable of so injuring a tissue cell that its (the cell’s) activity is interfered with, but be incapable of destroying it. By analogy with many observations in other branches of and the short duration of the disease. I should like science it is assumed that in such a case the higher also to quote a case of my own which was certainly activities of the cell suffer first and most seriously-i.e., not of the degenerative type of tabes and yet failed to the cell is limited or function of that the particular any of the modern tests for syphilis :determined, and consequently that the energy formerly give J. K., aged 38 years, while in the army in November, 1916, had an now used in function is up by accident which he thinks injured his spine. Since then he has performing expended increased reproduction. complained of weakness of his legs ,nd falling over objects in the Consider now one individual cell which is suffering dark. He was examined by neurologists, some of the highest repute, and gave it as their opinion that the case wen one of tabes. In these changes: take, for instance, a cell in the mammary July they of this year the man was admitted to the David Lewis Northern gland. A chronic mastitis occurs and subsequently this Hospital, Liverpool, under my care. The following is a very brief cell is so damaged that its power of forming milk is description of his condition on examination :-Ataxia of the legs, marked Rombergism ; profound spinal myosis, with bilateral lost, while its power of reproduction is not only pre- with Argyll Robertson pupils; slight ptosis: fundi normal; girdle sensaserved
but increased 1
The
by
as
much
Times, Oct. 25th, 1920.
energy
as
was
tion and attacks of severe lightning pains in the legs ; knee-jerks and Achilles jerks present; plantar reflex gave a flexor response; no muscular wasting; micturition normal; hypersesthesia round
recently
that success has crowned his efforts. It only therefore behoves us not to view the subject lightly, nor to under-estimate the difficulties in the way. It is not by a mere statement of the seriousness of the position that we shall succeed in the good work. An exceptional opportunity presents itself at the moment. There is a Bill in Parliament during this session to amend the Milk and Dairies Act of 1915. One of its provisions is (3) (2) " for requiring milk to be treated by such process or processes as may be preThe Order referred to is scribed in the Order." authorised by Section 1 of the principal Act. It will be agreed that the authority of an Order issuing from a Government department-however great may be the confidence of the public in that department and however well founded may be that confidence-must lack somewhat of the weight which attaches to an Act of Parliament itself. With these reflections in my mind, and deeply impressed by the very great importance of the subject, I desire to suggest to everyone, and, of course, particularly to my confreres, that we should seize every opportunity to attempt to secure an amendment to the Act-slight, but important-so that pasteurisation of all but graded and certified milk be provided for in the Act itself. Moreover, "pasteurisation" needs to be carefully defined. There are processes for the " commercial " pasteurisation of milk which are simply shams. The need for enlightenment, and the persistence of obscured judgment even in high places, is well shown in a report 1 of an appeal from a decision of the Ryde justices, dismissing a summons against a milk vendor for selling milk containing (as well as dirt) dung, and " swarming with bacteria and microscopic organisms." The Lord Chief Justice of England with two other judges dismissed the appeal, thus establishing the legal right of milk vendors in this land to sell milk containing manure. H.M. Judges seemed to be determined in their decision by the fact that the contamination was of microscopic character. Apparently they are unaware that tuberculosis and other fatal maladies are caused by living particles which are microscopic All the more need that we or ultra-microscopic. "illuminati" should spread abroad the simple facts of this all-important subject. Let us therefore write at once to our representatives in Parliament setting forth shortly the simple facts in the most
telling
manner.
I am, ’
Sir, yours faithfully, S. G. MOORE,
Oct. 26th, 1920.
Medical Officer of Health, Huddersfield.
HEREDITY AND CELL STRUCTURE. To the Editor
of THE LANCET.
formerly used in the formation of milk. It therefore divides and produces two daughter cells which, like their parent, are incapable of performing the functions properly appertaining to them, and are capable only of multiplying. This, however, can only be brought about in one of two ways-either the daughter cells have inherited a characteristic acquired by the parent cell, viz., predominance of reproduction over function, or in the nucleus of healthy cells there two distinct parts, one regulating the higher functions of the cell, the other regulating reproduction and the former part has been destroyed. The latter hypothesis is that of Oertel, and is open to the objection that the existence of two such parts in a nucleus has never yet been demonstrated. Moreover, even had they been proved to exist the explanation is openthough not, perhaps, quite so obviously and definitelyto the same objection as the former hypothesis. The balance of evidence is overwhelmingly in favour of the contention that acquired characteristics cannot be inherited by the offspring. Granted that this is not yet proved beyond all question, yet it is obviously absolutely unjustifiable to assume that the contrary is true. !i And every theory that postulates an extraneous cause as the origin of cancer is faced by this same difficulty, except that cause be a bacterial or protozoal which itself multiplies and progressively causes are
virus, these changes throughout of tissue,
a
continually increasing
mass
that it is no longer a question of one cell being injured and reproducing others similarly injured. Such a is, however, not attractive, and there is no convincing, scarcely even suggestive, argument in its favour. Hence it would appear that only one possibility remains-that cancer is due not to a change produced in a hitherto normal cell, but to some inherent defect in the germ plasm. This term is admittedly indefinite, but is sufficient to give an idea of the fact at which I am aiming. It is used in its original sense as denoting that part of the germ cell of which the chemical, physical, and molecular structure enables the cell to become, in appropriate circumstances, a normal, fully-developed individual ofthe same species. I am, Sir, yours faithfully, STANLEY WYARD. Wimpale-street, W., Oct. 24th, 1920. so
supposition
THE CEREBRO-SPINAL FLUID IN TABES DORSALIS. To the Editor of THE LANCET.
SIR,-In your issue of Oct. 23rd Dr. Judson Bury, in interesting article entitled " Symptoms Resembling Tabes Dorsalis Arising after Anti-typhoid Inoculation," raises again the question as to whether true tabes dorsalis can occur without syphilis. I had hoped that the routine examination of the cerebro-spinal fluid might settle the question once and for all. I agree with Dr. Bury that except in very rare cases the presence of syphilis can be demonstrated by modern methods, and that therefore the hope expressed above has been fulfilled. On a priori grounds, however, one variety of tabes might not be expected to give syphilitic reactions; and such cases are,I believe, found in practice. I refer to those cases in which the original lesion of an inflammatory nature has given place to a very chronic degenerative change without meningeal symptoms, and consequently without marked findings in the cerebrospinal fluid. Dr. Bury’s case does not appear to be of this type on account of the age of the patient (36 years)
his
SIR,-Dr. Alexander Paine personally and yourself by implication in your leading article on the subject have suggested discussion of his very interesting paper on the Origin of Cancer published in your columns on Oct. 2nd. I therefore venture to offer a criticism, since it seems to me that the whole theory developed therein depends upon an assumption which in the present state of our knowledge is not only unproven but almost disproved. Dr. Paine in his paper suggests (as I understand him) that a noxious body-e.g., a bacterial toxin-may in certain circumstances be capable of so injuring a tissue cell that its (the cell’s) activity is interfered with, but be incapable of destroying it. By analogy with many observations in other branches of and the short duration of the disease. I should like science it is assumed that in such a case the higher also to quote a case of my own which was certainly activities of the cell suffer first and most seriously-i.e., not of the degenerative type of tabes and yet failed to the cell is limited or function of that the particular any of the modern tests for syphilis :determined, and consequently that the energy formerly give J. K., aged 38 years, while in the army in November, 1916, had an now used in function is up by accident which he thinks injured his spine. Since then he has performing expended increased reproduction. complained of weakness of his legs ,nd falling over objects in the Consider now one individual cell which is suffering dark. He was examined by neurologists, some of the highest repute, and gave it as their opinion that the case wen one of tabes. In these changes: take, for instance, a cell in the mammary July they of this year the man was admitted to the David Lewis Northern gland. A chronic mastitis occurs and subsequently this Hospital, Liverpool, under my care. The following is a very brief cell is so damaged that its power of forming milk is description of his condition on examination :-Ataxia of the legs, marked Rombergism ; profound spinal myosis, with bilateral lost, while its power of reproduction is not only pre- with Argyll Robertson pupils; slight ptosis: fundi normal; girdle sensaserved
but increased 1
The
by
as
much
Times, Oct. 25th, 1920.
energy
as
was
tion and attacks of severe lightning pains in the legs ; knee-jerks and Achilles jerks present; plantar reflex gave a flexor response; no muscular wasting; micturition normal; hypersesthesia round