The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-04-16
PROTEIN MATTER.


to exist. The one phenomenon al
ways manifested by living matter and
never by nonlivng matter is metab-
olism. Metabolism consists in con-
slant tIaffic in energy by means OF
certain persistent interchange of en-
among the individual cells composing
the living body.
Nitrogen seems to be the master
element within the living molecule,
because in all cases the living organ
ism is found 10 consist of one o" more
nitrogen-o obtaining cells. The nitro
gen cell content is known as proto-
plasm and exists as wonderfully
complex molecule generally IL the
form of colloid.
The onl, essential and coDstant diff
ference be, eeen living and nonliving
matter is that within the molecules OF
living matter there is this constant
metabolism making for a continuous
interchange or flow of energy, while
in the nonliving 20 sucnsprocess oper
ates
In all instances pro ein or proto-
plasm is Ca able OF grow tn and multi
plication, but to do this 1t must assim
late and eliminate; that is to say
it must receive and discard. The liv'
Ing molecule not only absorbs, but II
chemically alters what 1t absorbs.
That is to say, il adapts the atoms to
its needs by rearranghg them into
new combinations; or, in other words,
it assimilates and eliminates. In ef-
feet, it feeds and excretes exactly as
does any human individual. Obvious
ly, tn, a cell is limited in its food
supply to that which lies within its
reach, and there must, therefore, be
certain relationship between the
cell and the medium in which it ex-
lists.
| When matter becomes endowed
with life it does not cease to be mat
| ter neither does it lore its inherent
properties 1t simply becomes exceed
ingly active or unstable, but 1t is
never released from the laws that
govern its structure, it. attractions
and reactions. No animal has the
ability individually directly to assimi-
late the energy or heat locked up in
elemental mineral matter First
groups of strengthening mineral
molecules are torn from nonliving
matter by the chemical activity and
affinities of the lower forms of life,
the primitive forms of protein matter
existing in plants and In the interior
| of these protein bodies the mineral
molecular atoms are rearranged by
ferments and thereby quickened
Thereafter their interchanges and re-
actions are very rapid. 1t is quite
certain that these ferments have their
origin in the heterogeneous metabolism
of the living molecule, and that each
living molecule has many of these nj
trogenous groups known as receptors
which are in effect hands-aton
groups in a cell by means of which
foreign substances. toxins. food mole
cules and the like are anchored to the
cell.
1t is these heterogeneous bodies
engines, ferments or catalyzers thai
bridge the chasm between the non
living sources of energy and the liv
ing cell; and 1t is a break in thi!
chain and the consequent disturbance
in our relationship with the sources
of energy that interferes with thu
free flow of energy or life through
our tissues, thereby creating those
| Of of ha N n
and the chemical conditions neces
sary for that state known as diseas
and which sooner or later are quit
certain to develop INTO some form o
infection or organic disease.
1t is in the elimination from on
grain foods of the nitrogenized mir
eral molecule bearing its store Of la'
ent but easily secured energy that W
may expect to find the source of tn
many thin little legs. the many pale
pinched little cheeks and the lustel
less eyes. II is in the elimination @
these inorganic. insoluble" element
we shall undoubtedly find the caus
of the lack of material for the man,
= facture of the protective materish =,
> creted by our Wonderful uS"tEes
glands which control all our involur
tary vital functions and insure on
: immunity against invading protoplaI
mic enemies.
! No protein bodies, such as bacteri
= are. can live except in favorabl
D chemical solutions: they, like on
J selves, are dependent on constar
e flow of food energy. and the adjus
] ment in the normal human bod
e makes it impossible for bacteria
( exist therein. Hence II must be di
turbance in this vital flow. in on
5 chemical balance. that makes us sui
J. iect to infections as well as to thos
o deficiencies falling under the head {
e "neurotics" and around which al
g grouped our Inconsistencies, our ha