152 NUTRITION. 



has not done so, and had he, it would have so modified our world as to 

 make it exceedingly different from what it is. It would be easy to show 

 the mighty influence both upon organized matter and upon spirit — the 

 great moral and probationary results of this arrangement, but natural 

 as it is for us to glide into such representations, and congenial as they 

 are to the best feelings of the heart — we forbear. We and other animahs 

 become exhausted, our systems disintegrate, they lose, they need as the 

 consequence the restoration of vigor and the restoration of the materials 

 which have passed away. Tlie restoration of these, the replacing of 

 what is lost constitutes nutrition — or the great process of animal bodies 

 called assimilation. 



Then, in addition there is needed for animal bodies the elements of 

 various products, the result of a most extraoidinary chemistry denomi- 

 nated secretions. 



Then, there is needed a supply of heat. This is essential to animal 

 life. Tlien there is needed some antidotal remedy for noxious develop- 

 ments. Then there are needed resources, auxiliary in cases of exigency. 

 Then there are needed defecating and purifying processes. We state these 

 things in general terms, expecting to make them clearer in the course of 

 our remarks. ^ 



We institute the inquiry, how is this aliment furnished, and what 

 are the arrangements for these subsidiary processes .' It is furnished 

 first, and chiefly by the vegetable world. Nutritive agency commences 

 here — it appropriates however, to itself, without materially changing its 

 character, a portion of the animal world. Allying with itself the crea- 

 ture of its power, it marches forward, under God, suspending the reign 

 of death, till He who commissioned it, saith : " Thus far shalt thou go 

 and no farther." 



What is it, however, in vegetables and animals that imparts to them 

 their power ? Can we penetrate into their interior and, by a successful 

 analysis ascertaining their constituents, show the relation of those con- 

 stituents- to the animal processes of which we speak ? It is the boast 

 of modern chemistry that we can, and to a German chemist, who now 

 enjoys a reputation co-extensive with the civilized world, we mean Lie- 

 big, are we indebted for much of the knowledge we possess. Far be it 

 from us to sanction every view of this justly celebrated man ; he has, no 

 doubt, in some instances permitted theory to run ahead of facts, he has 

 not always avoided the fault of too hasty generalization, but with every 

 abatement of this kind, enough remains ascertained beyond the shadow 

 of doubt, to justify his endorsement as a great Chemist, and a success- 



