was soon followed by the
apprehension that one of the principal factors in bringing about such
disturbance is _predisposition_,--in many cases heredity.

The term "Hereditary disease" signifies that the improper chemical
composition of the blood of one or both parents is transmitted to the
offspring, and that it causes in them likewise a degeneration of certain
tissues and of the organs composed of those tissues.

The hygienic-dietetic system of healing does not, however, regard
heredity as an invincible enemy, especially since my discovery of the
"Law of the Cross-Transmission of Characteristics."

It is in the solution of this problem of "hereditary disease" that my
system will eventually come into its own and will ere long be recognized
as the most rational and effectual therapy ever applied since the
beginning of the art of healing. It may be years before it is accorded
the proverbially tardy acknowledgment of the "orthodox" schools, but
that it will, nay _must_ be eventually adopted is virtually a foregone
conclusion--that is, if it be indeed the function or policy of the
physician of the future to adequately seek to succour the suffering and
regenerate the races of mankind. Of the physician of the present it can
at best be said in Goethe's incisive words:

"Er halt die Theile in seiner Hand,
Doch fehlt ihm leider das gelst' ge Band."

He holds the parts within his hand,
But lacks the mental grasp of all.

For full explanation of the significance of my law, I must refer you to
the first lecture in my book entitled "Within the Bud,"--and the lesson
therein on the theory of "Pangenesis," which space forbids my repeating
here. This lesson will convey conclusively to any thinking mind what
heredity really means. After a brief study of this interesting subject
the importance of the "Law of the Cross-Transmission of Characteristics"
will become amply apparent and the intelligent reader will undoubtedly
wonder why it has not been applied and acknowledged long ago. For
answer, I must refer you to the schools, whose policy it has ever been
to, at any rate, abstain from assisting, if not absolutely to
diplomatically hinder the development of fresh scientific discoveries.
But the time is fast approaching when a sharp and decisive end to this
iniquity will be demanded by the will of an enlightened people; only
then will the existing orthodox power be compelled to loosen its
obstructive grip which the interests o