46 INTRODUCTION. 



ing, taking food and drink, and having a proper tempera- 

 ture, is plainly manifest. 



Though there are some, it is true, which have the power 

 of apparently suspending their functions for a while and 

 entering into a torpid state and consequently, remaining 

 in a great measure without the influence of the vital stim- 

 uli; they nevertheless exist, and again revive in their 

 former activity. 



This, however, by no means subverts the general law of 

 the necessity of the presence of the vital stimuli to organic 

 existence for atmospheric air and a certain amount of tem- 

 perature is present in sufficient quantity to account for the 

 remaining vitality which is found to have been present, and 

 again to revive on the re-application of the balance of the 

 vital stimuli. 



Now, between these two series of elements the one for 

 forming and the other for preserving organization, nature 

 has established the most intimate relations relations close, 

 fixed and determinate constituting so many laws which 

 are essential to be obeyed for preserving the integrity of 

 organization. 



These relations or laws consist essentially in the nice 

 adaptation of the one class of these elements to the other, 

 when in their natural state of integrity. 



Examples of violation of these relations are seen when 

 carbonic acid gas, sulphuretted hydrogen, or any other nox- 

 ious gas is taken for atmospheric air, or when putrid food 

 and alcohol are taken in the place of bread and water. 



The result of these violations, in destroying organiza- 

 tion, health and life, is familiar to all, and therefore it is 

 unnecessary to enter into any detail. 



