The Blood and Its Third Element (ePub)

What Dr. Béchamp is describing is a foundational concept.

According to his experiments and observations, these tiny particles he named 'microzymas' have an active role in sustaining and also in terminating life. Using the syllable '-zyme' (now also used in the word 'enzyme') to indicate this principle of causing 'fermentation' (activity) Béchamp searched for and found the same particles and activity even in limestone, apparently from the ancient shelled creatures whose bodies were incorporated into the stone. They still retained their activity. The only factor that stopped these particles was heat.

As Dr. Béchamp expressed it, "Life is the prey of life": i.e. as the organizing life-principle of a complex body ceases to operate, the microzymas take up their role of breaking it down and returning its elements to nature to be taken up by other life forms.

Unfortunately Pasteur first tried to steal Béchamp's work, then when he objected, Pasteur set out to use his political clout to destroy the career and reputation of the great French doctor. This is why we don't hear much about this alternative school of science.

A complete history of this scientific and political conflict was written early in the 20th century, by a woman doing meticulous research into the historical records of the French Academy of Science. Please see Bechamp or Pasteur?: A Lost Chapter in the History of Biology by Ethel Hume. Her book is another must-read for grasping the significance of this concept and why certain interests wanted it deleted from the scientific record.