i8o BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS 



decay, following, and completing, the cycle of changes under- 

 gone by every particle of those materials, in their passage 

 from the inorganic, to the inorganic world, through the 

 organic intricacies of that body. All the chemico-physio- 

 logical processes leading up to, and all the chemico-physio- 

 logical processes following on, this act, but consist of a 

 material preparation for, and a removal of material results 

 from, the scene of that transcendental metabolic vital 

 chemistry, whose purpose is, the maintenance of life, and 

 health, with all that is included therein ; and comprise, the 

 whole physiological phenomena displayed, in the transit of 

 dietetic articles through the body, their resolution into its 

 organic elements, and their final restitution, as inorganic 

 elements, to mother earth. 



The vital chemistry involved in the process of nutrition 

 represents the progress, and culmination, of all the vital 

 preparatory processes, preceding, and constituting it, and 

 the advent and progress of the processes of devitalisation, 

 and decay, succeeding it, during which are displayed, 

 phenomena not less marvellous and wonderful than 

 those involved in the origin of individual life forms, or 

 the working out of organic perfection^ throughout the 

 universe. 



As the "means to the end " the accomplishment of 

 nutrition it must not be forgotten that the process is only 

 possible, when a complete means of conveyance, as well as, 

 preparation, of nutritive materials, is provided, by a 

 continuous canalling of the whole organism, or body, in 

 virtue of which, and vital dynamics, a circulation, is main- 

 tained, of such a complete character, that a way is found to 

 every atomic vacant space, and a fresh atom supplied, by 

 which the atomic continuity of every texture is sustained, 

 and residual materials moved on. From this it becomes 

 obvious that, any departure from a strictly physiological 

 state, in either material, or working, must be followed 

 inevitably by a pathological result, in proportion to the 

 extent, and continuance, of the pathological factors, 

 the removal of which, when it does occur, must, therefore, 

 be sought at the earliest possible moment, by a scientific 

 appreciation of the conditions involved, and the most 

 immediate use of scientifically indicated means. 



