inquiries, in comparison with other forms of investigation, but I venture to affirm that there is no more informing study than minute research into the structure of our organs, and the diseases from which they suffer: it knits together the whole order of creation; it teems with ideas and suggestions about the life-history of cells—the very living bricks, remember, of which we are built up—that to the responsive mind of one struggling with disease is for ever opening up new thoughts, new channels, of inquiry, resource, grip, and hope, that one could hardly have suspected.
What did morbid anatomy and histology—the Cellular Pathology of that day—tell to the Mid-Victorian pathologist?
Well, it was known in those now seemingly far off days that the autogenous propagation of tumours was not uncommon—one could see it almost any day in the post-mortem room, in the peritoneum for example, where a tumour originating in one part of that membrane was transplanted to another part, and was well rooted there. It was well known as the result of experiment that exogenous plantings in similar regard were seldom attended with success. Yet one noted that when sewing—skin-seed, shall I call it?—upon large sores some stimulus was forthcoming, something happened, that clearly set epithelium growing, and it often grew with considerable energy. This would apply to autogenous as well as exogenous grafts, within the common species. I have always doubted if the import of that suggestion of skin-grafting has received quite its just meed of recognition, in its physiological aspect. The observation is full of instruction when we try
