138 THE ORIGIN OP CREATION. 



they are stated to have been subject to the most loathsome 

 diseases." 



" Undoubtedly it is essential to the processes of digestion 

 and assimilation, although we cannot explain more than a few 

 of its actions." " If all the organic elements of nutrition the 

 flesh formers, and heat givers, were presented to an animal in 

 abundance, in the absence of these mineral substances, the 

 animal would not only cease to thrive, but all nutrition would 

 be impossible." "Our information on this subject is very 

 meagre, and while we recognise the importance of these mineral 

 ingredients of food, chemists do not at present profess 'to explain 

 their action." 



"We dare say our readers, by this time, are able themselves to 

 explain the mystery to Prof. Playfair. We have already said 

 that all dissolving processes are caused by chemical action. 

 Digestion is a similar action, and chiefly a reciprocation between 

 the two classes of matter mineral and vegetable. As our food 

 then is principally vegetable, no motion will take place in it 

 unless it is accompanied with a quantity of mineral matter, 

 when every individual atom is loosened and the whole dissolves 

 away. 



In conclusion, we need not be troubled with indigestion, or 

 lack that " mysterious " ingredient, gastric juice, if we take a 

 proper quantity of mineral matter and drink a sufficiency of 

 water with our food. It may account for the Scotch, as a 

 people, being so little troubled with indigestion, that the food, 

 especially of the poorer classes, is mainly composed of oatmeal, 

 gait fish, and cheese substances which, Professor Playfair 

 shows us, hare a large quantity of mineral matter in their 

 composition. 



