Appendix. 75 



addition to the chemical elements, there is a vital element, which 

 pervades the whole organism, and works the machinery of life ; 

 that the chemical elements constitute only the frame work of the 

 living organism, which cannot operate itself without a motive 

 power ; and that the vital force inherent in a vital element, con- 

 stitutes the motive power, which works the machinery of the 

 animal economy — the mind constituting the governing power 

 which works the muscles, and produces voluntary action. 



Vital action produces cells and tubes for the circulation of 

 the fluids, which form and support animal and vegetable organ- 

 isms. It produces the peculiar organic forms, of which cells and 

 tubes and fibrous matter form prominent parts. On the con- 

 trary, chemical action never produces either cells, tubes, or 

 fibers, nor organisms of any kind, having the machinery neces- 

 sary for internal action, nutrition, and reproduction. 



Chemical compounds, whether liquids, solids, or gasses, 

 have a composition nearly uniform in all their parts, and never 

 have anything like cells, tubes or fibrous organs. Their solids 

 are generally composed of crystals, like the crystals of common 

 salt. Chemical compounds also increase from the outside — by 

 the addition of other crystals to the mass." On the contrary, liv- 

 ing organisms always increase from the inside — the food being 

 received internally, and digested, absorbed, secreted, and con- 

 veyed in a liquid form, through tubes and cells to the proper 

 places of deposite, to nourish the system. The difference in 

 formation and action indicates that there must be elements in one 

 not contained in the other. 



The vital theory was presented in a more complete, clear and 

 distinct form, by Dr. Hunter of England, the latter part of the 

 eighteenth century, than ever before. My reading indicates that 

 the vital theory, in some of its forms, was generally accepted by 

 Physicians and Physiologists, until after the publication of Baron 

 Li'ebig's Oganic Chemistry ; and that it has been received ever 

 since, and is still received as the true theory of life, by Physiolo- 

 gists of the first rank. Dr. Beale does not stand alone in affirm- 

 ing its soundness. 



