The concept of homology in quantitative organelle pathology. Application of symbolic logic to glycogenosis type I in the liver.

The process of quantification has led pathology into an objective and abstract direction to which it is unaccustomed. The introduction of the concept of homology in pathology by Doerr has proven to be very fruitful, since it has helped to clarify otherwise poorly understood relationships. As shown in the foregoing paper, the success of the homology concept applies also to quantitative organelle pathology. Homologies have demonstrated relationships within the ergastoplasmic - mitochondrial - peroxisomal system which are apparent only with the help of symbolic logic. These homologies permit inferences, shown here with the example of glycogenosis type I, regarding the adaptive potential of the cell and the degree of cellular damage. In addition, these homologies, which are described in terms of formal logic, may serve as a model for human pathologic anatomy.