512 EQUILIBRATION. 



ing of the whole body, there is at every instant a pro- 

 gressive equilibration of the motions at every instant pro- 

 duced. Viewed in their aggregate, and as forming 

 a series, the organic functions constitute a dependent mov- 

 ing equilibrium — a moving equilibrium, of which the 

 motive power is ever being dissipated through the special 

 equilibrations just exemplified, and is ever being renewed 

 by the taking in of additional motive power. Food is a 

 store of force which continually adds to the momentum of 

 the vital actions, as much as is continually deducted from 

 them by the forces overcome. All the functional move- 

 ments thus maintained, are, as we have seen, rhythmical 

 (§ 85) ; by their union compound rhythms of various lengths 

 and complexities are produced; and in these simple and com- 

 pound rhythms, the process of equilibration, besides being 

 exemplified at each extreme of every rhythm, is seen in the 

 habitual preservation of a constant mean, and in the re-estab- 

 lishment of that mean when accidental causes have produced 

 divergence from it. When, for instance, there is a great ex- 

 penditure of motion through muscular activity, there arises 

 a re-active demand on those stores of latent motion which are 

 laid up in the form of consumable matter throughout the tis- 

 sues : increased respiration and increased rapidity of circula- 

 tion, are instrumental to an extra genesis of force, that coun- 

 terbalances the extra dissipation of force. This unusual 

 transformation of molecular motion into sensible motion, is 

 presently followed by an unusual absorption of food — the 

 source of molecular motion; and in proportion as there has 

 been a prolonged draft upon the spare capital of the system, 

 is there a tendency to a prolonged rest, during which that 

 spare capital is replaced. If the deviation from the ordinary 

 course of the functions has been so great as to derange them, 

 as when violent exertion produces loss of appetite and loss 

 of sleep, an equilibration is still eventually effected. Pro- 

 viding the disturbance is not such as to overturn the balance 

 of the functions, and destroy life (in which case a complete 



