BY A. JEFFERIS TURNER, M.D. 4f 



every particle of matter throughout the universe has for every 



other particle, which attraction we know as gravitation ? Or, 



again, why is it that an atom of oxygen will combine with two 

 atoms of hydrogen ? We say that the oxygen has an " affinity " 



for the hydrogen ; but this is merely to re-state the fact in a 



figurative way. On what mechanism does this " affinity " 



depend ? It would be easy to multiply unanswerable questions 



of this kind. We need to remember that the simplest form of 



matter is something mysterious, as to the nature of which we 



know very little. 



To cease the argument here would be easy, but it would be 

 to shirk the real difficulty of the problem of life, a difficulty 

 which is no doubt present in your minds. Life in ourselves is 

 indissolubly connected with consciousness. Furthermore, when 

 we come to the bottom of things, it is the nature of our own 

 consciousness which really interests us most. That this con- 

 sciousness is intimately connected with certain living animal 

 cells, which, with their processes and ramifications, constitute 

 that highly complex organ known as the brain, cannot be 

 disputed. A slight external pressure on this organ, a small clot 

 of blood washed into one of its blood-vessels, cause instantaneous 

 loss of consciousness. A febrile condition, or the presence of a 

 minute proportion of various poisons in the blood profoundly 

 affects our consciousness. A long, lowering illness will some- 

 time reduce a powerful intellect to a condition of utter childish- 

 ness, to be followed after recovery by a complete return to mental 

 power. These facts are familiar, but what explanation can be 

 given of this association of matter and consciousness ? 



Let me say at once that science has no explanation to offer. 

 I would go further, and say that, to the best of my belief, no 

 conceivable extension of scientific knowledge would bring us any 

 nearer to a solution. By way of illustration, let me remind you 

 of an instance in which science is able to offer explanations. 

 Few things are more complicated than the infinite variety of 

 sounds produced by the human voice. Yet these can to a large 

 extent be analysed and resolved into their component parts, and 

 the method of their production is also susceptible of scientific 

 investigation. By a simple arrangement of mirrors it is possible 

 for a singer to watch the motions of his own larynx, and to 

 observe the movements of the vibrating vocal cords as the various 



