8^ Mr Smith's case of extraordinary devehpement 



have received a new impulse, which has evidently roused it to 

 a state of greater activity. But before that time, that is, du- 

 ring the whole period of his extraordinary growth, his intellec- 

 tual functions were evidently in a state of extraordinary inac- 

 tivity^ as unlike the usual state of them in children of the same 

 age as their growth was unlike his. 



The physical causes found in food, or climate, or lax consti- 

 tution of the fibre, are totally inadequate to explain the extra- 

 ordinary growth in this case. This is sufficiently proved by 

 the facts mentioned in the history. Some other causes, there- 

 fore, must be sought for, and these, if I am not greatly mis- 

 taken, will be found in a principle which my observations lead 

 me to suspect pervades the whole functional department of the 

 human system ; but which, as it appears not to have been at- 

 tended to by others, it becomes me with due deference, and in 

 the humblest manner, to submit to your consideration. To 

 enter into a full consideration of this principle would occupy 

 too Ynuch your time ; allow me, therefore, to bespeak your 

 patience, while I endeavour briefly to give an outline of facts, 

 the consideration of which have forced this principle upon my 

 notice. 



The functions, including those of the mind as well as body, 

 are numerous, but may without difficulty be reduced to three 

 leading ones: the constructive^ the intellectual, and the re- 

 productive. \st. The constructive functions are those by which 

 the growth, which is nothing less than the successive formation 

 and reparation of the body, is effected. Subservient to, and 

 even part of these, are digestion, respiration, circulation, ab- 

 sorption and excretion, also perception and volition, in so far 

 as these are necessary to the accomplishment of the general 

 function. 2d, The intellectual functions have subservient to 

 them perception and volition, and, as far as is necessary to their 

 exercise, the constructive functions. 3f/, The reproductive 

 functions are well known, and have subservient to them not 

 only the constructive, but also volition, perception, and even 

 the intellectual functions each in their several places. 



Now the principle to which I have alluded above, and which 

 appears to me to be universal is this, that any intention of one 

 of these three functions is attended by a corresponding remis- 

 sion of one or both of the other two. In other words, if any 



