Text book of comparative general pathology for practitioners and students of veterinary medicine / by Th. Kitt; authorized translation by William W. Cadbury ; edited with notes and additional illustrations by Allen J. Smith.
- Kitt, Th. (Theodor), 1858-1941.
- Date:
- 1906
Licence: In copyright
Credit: Text book of comparative general pathology for practitioners and students of veterinary medicine / by Th. Kitt; authorized translation by William W. Cadbury ; edited with notes and additional illustrations by Allen J. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.
43/504 (page 23)
![“side-chains” the various atoms or groups of atoms linked about this nucleus, so in Ehrlich's view the living proto- plasmic molecule may bc thought of as having as its elemental or basic compound a vital nucleus about which are attached, and probably from which spring, a number of other atomic groups subsidiary to the center of the molecule and corresponding to the side-chains of the formula, but essential to the efficiency and integrity of the whole complex molecule, since they are its means of combination. These are the receptors or haptophores of the molecule. Every molecule possesses these haptophores in addition to its principal part, the centre or nucleus (in living protoplasmic molecules, the vital centre). Should these haptophores be lost in the living molecule, they are replaceable by others of like type because of the vital regenerative power of the molecule.] The receptors are the principal instrmnents of [molecular, or in other words] intracellular metabolism and provide nutri- tive substance to the cells through their ability to unite chemic- ally with such material. However, just as proper food elements may tlms combine, so other albuminous bodies or materials chem- ically allied to foods become linked to or combined with the receptors, as material extracted from bacteria, various poisons of animal, bacterial and vegetable origin (toxines, venom of bees, spiders or snakes, diphtheria toxine, ricin, abrin, the substance of blood cells, spermatozoa and nervous tissue, and the milk albumen of different kinds of animals). Such union occurs be- cause these substances contain in their molecular composition certain gtoups of atoms, which, like similar atomic groups in foods, have an affinity (chemical affinity) for the atomic groups of the cellular protoplasm; these Ehrlich speaks of as their haptophore groups. [Thus both the protoplasmic molecules of the body cells are provided with haptophores or combining chains, and, too, all nutritive or harmful molecules which come in con- tact with them. Should there be affinity between the haptophores of the cellular protoplasm and those of the introduced molecules a combination will result.] With such combination effected [the molecule and in proportionate degree the whole] cell comes under the influence of the substance chained to it. Should the latter possess properties actively harmful to the protoplasm, poisonous qualities (toxopliorc), the cellular protoplasm becomes more or less injured, and a pathological cellular lesion results. There may ensue complete death of the cell [protoplasm],](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28130078_0043.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
