On the Vital Principle. ii.^^ 



of the mind and brain over what is termed the 

 independent living principle. 



The proofs moft ftrongly infilled on, for the 

 fupport of the vital principle^ are, the contrac- 

 tion of mufcles feparated from the body, on the 

 application of llimulants*; the performance of 

 the vital and involuntary motions, without any 

 exertion or even confcioufnefs of the mindf ; 

 and the birth of full-grown foetufes deftitute of 

 a brain J. In all thefe cafes, fomething is al- 

 ledged to operate, independently of the mind, 

 in producing mufcular motion. 



In anfwer to the firft argument, drawn from 

 the contraction of feparated mufcles, it may 

 be faid, 



I. That the power of contra6lion, in a fepa- 

 rated mufcle, is lofl. before putrefaftion takes 

 place II, that is, before its texture is deftroyed j 

 but if its vitality depended on its texture, this 

 ought not to happen. 



1. The power of contradion, in a feparated 

 mufcle, is ftrongeft upon its firil feparation, and 

 becomes weaker by degrees §; therefore the con- 

 trafling power appears to have been derived 



• Haller. Elem. Phyf. torn. I. p. 462. 

 t Monro's Obf. on the Nerv. Syil. p. 102. 

 X Id. p. 26. 

 II Haller. The power of contraftion is loft in man, in 

 a very few hours j in cold-blooded animals, within twenty- 

 four hours. ^ Whytt. 



from 



