PHYSIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE OF CONDIMENTS. 701 



The science of modern times, however, has taken a more special 

 direction. Fixing its attention exclusively on the order of Nature, it 

 has separated itself wholly from theology, whose function it is to seek 

 after its cause. In this, science is fully justified, alike by the entire 

 independence of its objects, and by the historical fact that it has been 

 continually hampered and impeded, in its search for the truth as it is 

 in Nature, by the restraints which theologians have attempted to im- 

 pose upon its inquiries. But, when science, passing beyond its own 

 limits, assumes to take the place of theology and sets up its own con- 

 ception of the order of Nature as a sufficient account of its cause, it 

 is invading a province of thought to which it has no claim, and not 

 unreasonably provokes the hostility of those who ought to be its best 

 friends. 



For, while the deep-seated instincts of humanity and the profound- 

 est researches of philosophy alike point to mind as the one and only 

 source of power, it is the pi-erogative of science to demonstrate the 

 unity of the power which is operating through the limitless extent 

 and variety of the universe, and to trace its continuity through the 

 vast series of ages that have been occupied in its evolution. 



PHYSIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE OF CONDIMENTS. 



Bt Prof. VOIT. 

 (abstract of voit's report, by andke sansok.; 



BESIDES the elements of nutrition which we consume at every 

 meal, there is also a number of other elements which serve to 

 make the food savory and appetizing. These latter do not strictly 

 come within the definition of nutritive substances, and are properly de- 

 nominated condiments. Though not in themselves nutritious, the condi- 

 ments are nevertheless necessary to nutrition. Their importance, how- 

 ever, as constituents of food, has not hitherto been duly appreciated. 

 We must determine with exactitude the action both of the various 

 elements of nutrition and of the condiments, and employ, to express 

 this difference, well-defined terms, if we would avoid all confusion in 

 treating the subject. Before we state what is the action of the salts 

 and of the extractive elements of nutrition, as condiments, we must 

 first consider the action of condiments in general. It is commonly 

 supposed that they excite in the palate agreeable sensations, and so 

 produce simply an excitation which, however, serves no useful pur- 

 pose ; and that, when once they enter into the blood, they bring about 

 in it abnormal states and unnatural excitation. However, they are 

 not regarded as hurtful. 



