Can a Scalar Meson "Bootstrap" Itself?

It is shown that although a scalar meson can be described by a renormalizable field theory, it is not possible for such a particle to "bootstrap" itself, because the force arising from the crossed channels is too great. This result is in accordance with the "bootstrap" philosophy that there should be only one solution of the $S$-matrix equations consistent with maximal analyticity of the second kind, and also indicates the need for symmetries in strong interactions.