y swelling (similar to that met with as the
result of the administration of certain poisons) is the first
change observed in the parenchymatous cells of the organs of
animals that have died of acute alcoholic poisoning. This
condition, unless the cause is removed, goes on to a condition
of fatty-degeneration, as shown in the next specimen in which we
have, in addition to the granular appearance of the protoplasm
of the cell, a deposition of masses of fat in and at the expense
of this protoplasm.

"There is another series of changes to which I wish to draw your
attention. In the tubules of the kidney we have, in addition to
the granular appearance of the protoplasm of the cells, an
increase in the number of leucocytes, and connective tissue
cells between the tubules around the glomeruli and along the
course of the blood-vessels. This condition of small cell
infiltration, we know, is constantly associated with
inflammatory conditions of the kidney as in other organs. Here
then are the changes in the epithelium plus increase in the
number of leucocytes.

"I show you too a specimen of heart muscle, in which the
granular degeneration, or cloudy swelling is well marked whilst
here and there the process is going on to fatty degeneration,
similar to that seen in the kidney. Here again, then, the active
elements of the organ are becoming broken down, or, at any rate,
losing their normal structure and affording evidence of
fundamental changes in these cells. Such changes are set up, not
by any one poison alone, or by any single disease toxin, but by
members of many groups of poisons, by alcohols, ethers, etc.
indeed by very various poisons--animal, vegetable and mineral.

"Now, it is a peculiar fact, as shown by Massart, Bordet and
others, in researches on chemiotaxis, that nearly all these
poisons have the power of repelling leucocytes, and of seriously
interfering with them in the performance of their functions, and
this power assumes a special significance in connection with our
subject this afternoon.

"Now, two of the great functions of leucocytes under ordinary
conditions are those of policing and scavenging. Massart and
Bordet showed, under the action of certain substances, alcohol
amongst others, these functions are lost, but following up
Metchnikoff and others t