CONCLUSIONS 477 



(5) The velocity quotient (rate/load, or l/hour), a generalized 

 clearance, served to express in one dimension the exchanges of all 

 components. 



(6) Xot only many species and individuals, but diverse living 

 units (parts of organisms), were quantitatively compared in re- 

 spect to rates of turnover, equilibration diagrams (or portions of 

 them), preference for particular environments, and variabilities 

 of content; whether or not like structures and transformations 

 occurred in those units. 



(7) The rate of gain of a component was closely correlated with 

 the rate of its loss. The magnitudes of net rates of loss and of 

 gain were often similar at numerically equal positive and negative 

 loads of one component. 



(8) Augmentations of net exchange were sometimes secured by 

 modification of total gain, sometimes by modification of total loss, 

 sometimes by both, and in diverse proportions. These differences 

 gave a qualitative basis for the classification of equilibration 

 diagrams. 



(9) The balance of content was usually struck near the minimal 

 rates (of both gain and loss) that were found under any circum- 

 stances. 



(10) Certain types of study could be viewed as applications of 

 the substantiated theorems of regulation. Signs of disturbance, 

 tests of function, therapy, toxicity, acclimatization, conditioning, 

 and many other phenomena, are corollaries of the general descrip- 

 tion of an organism 's attempts to maintain its functions. 



(11) Interrelations among components were investigated. 

 Simultaneous contents and events appeared to represent the rela- 

 tive regulations of diverse components in stationary states and in 

 recovery. 



(12) Multiple equilibrations as indicated in the study of simul- 

 taneous equilibration diagrams (fig. 185) manifested the quantita- 

 tive physiological patterns concerned in maintenance of constancy 

 of the compounded functions of organisms. 



§ 179. Conclusions conceening physiological constancies 



I suggest the following as the most concrete findings of the 

 investigation. 



(1) The variability of any one quantity or component in the 

 organism is limited, under given conditions. 



