[ 187 ] 



SECT. XIX. 



OF MUSCULAR MOTION. 



291. THE immediate organs of motion, by far the 

 most numerous in the body, are the muscles, which 

 form the greatest bulk among all the similar parts. 



292. They abound in azote more than other animal 

 parts ; and the departure of this principle from its 

 combination with hydrogen and carbon which exists 

 during health, entirely converts them, under a parti- 

 cular morbid affection* and after death,f into an adi- 

 pocerous substance, resembling soap or spermacete. 



293. The muscles are distinguished from other simi- 

 lar parts by two characteristic features, the one derived 

 from their structure, the other from their singular vita! 

 powers. 



294. This fleshy structure is so formed of moving 

 fibres, sui generis and of a very faint red colour, that 

 every muscle may be resolved into fibrous bands, these 

 into bundles of fibres, and these again into very fine 

 fleshy fibrils. (A) 



295. Every muscle possesses a covering of cellular 



* For instance, in Elephantiasis. Consult Ph. Gabr. Hensler, Vom cbend- 

 lilndischen Ausfatze im Mittelalter. p. 31(5. Accurately described examples 

 of similar changes in other affections, may be found in Hedendfiagsche Letter- 

 Off eningen. T. iv. P. ii. p. 45 ; and in the Mcmoires de Mal 

 presenter a I'Acad. ties Sciences tie Paris. T. vii. p. 301. 



t See Thoiirct, Journal de Physique. T. xxxviii. p. 255. 



. Sm.Gibbes, P kilos. Trims. 171)4. p. 159. 



