GENERAL FUNCTIONS 215 



ance of the so-called "organic functions" of life as digestion, 

 circulation, etc., are not directly influenced by volition; indeed 

 an essential character of these functions is that they are com- 

 pletely removed from the influence of the will; to be conscious 

 subjectively of their performance is an evidence of abnormality. 



The first step in evefy voluntary act is a mental change, in 

 which the act of volition consists. If this mental change be of 

 such nature as to direct its influence upon a muscle, or a particu- 

 lar set of muscles, the contraction of those muscles immediately 

 supervenes, so as to bring about the predetermined voluntary act. 

 But the influence of the will could not possibly be exerted upon 

 those muscles except through intervention of the nerves. 



Furthermore, a certain mental state, in cases of common or 

 special sensation, is induced by an impression made upon certain 

 bodily organs. But in no case could the mental state be pro- 

 duced unless a particular part of the nervous system were present 

 to convey the impression received to the center capable of rec- 

 ognizing it. If the hand be burned pain is felt, but were the 

 nerves not present to convey the impression made by the heat 

 no degree of temperature could make the mind cognizant of 

 injury. When light is admitted to the eye a corresponding 

 mental sensation is produced, but for the production of this the 

 integrity of the optic nerve is a necessary condition. 



It will be gathered from the foregoing remarks that the nervous 

 system is not only capable of conveying communications, but that 

 it has the power, in certain of its divisions, of receiving im- 

 pressions and of giving rise to stimulating influences that is, 

 that it is capable of generating a peculiar power known as "nerve 

 force" It thus becomes the seat of distribution of energy to all 

 the cells. These generating parts of the system are the reservoirs 

 of force force which has been derived from the cells and is dis- 

 tributed to them. This nervous force, having its origin in the 

 living activity of the cells, is the highest manifestation of vital 

 energy. 



