188 THE ORIGIN OF CREATION. 



There ought to be no disease in existence but such as might be 

 cured, if treated in time, as it usually exhibits its character 

 early. A better knowledge of the qualities mid character of 

 medicine will d.?o from hence be easily obtained tin it is as 

 regards its mineral or vegetable character thus fewer mistakes 

 shoidcl occur in transposing remedies, while experiments with 

 new medicines might, with due care, be tried with irapuuity. 



If we explain the hfo action of the body, it will ,4iow us 

 what effect medicine is expected to produce and how it accom- 

 plishes its work. 



In the iirst place of what are our bodies composed? Of 

 matter in its varied forms and conditions ; thai is animal, 

 vegetable and mineral atoms, in solid, liquid, and gaseous 

 forms. 



What keeps up life in the human system ? Let us examine 

 the human .-structure. There is a frame-work or .skeleton of 

 bones to support the body. There are muscles and nerves that 

 work and guide the frame, and flesh and skin to protect these 

 muscles and bones. But all throughout this flesh, muscle, and 

 bone, there are multiplied arteries and veins jillod with blood, 

 coursing and saturating the whole, from the stomach to the 

 extremities. 



What is this blood ? 



If we bleed a man exhaustively, he becomes gradually- 

 weaker, till he has no strength to move, and finally he dies. 

 He has lost his blood, and with that his breath of life ; but all 

 the rest of the machine, the bone, muscle, flesh, veins, etc., 

 remain, yet they cannot keep life in the man ; his life support, 

 therefore, must be through the blood. 



How is this blood formed ? 



