NUTRITION HUMOURS. j 



are the smallest organic subdivisions of which the tissues 

 and fluids are capable by anatomical analysis. Their reunion 

 and combination form the solids and liquids of the organism. 

 By assimilation they borrow their substance from the 

 molecules of the proximate principles, while at the same 

 time and in equal proportions they abandon other molecules 

 of these same principles by a process of separation. 



This assemblage of phenomena is termed nutrition. In 

 this manner water, carbon, lime, phosphorus, iron, and the 

 other principles, co-operate in forming globuline, fibrine, 

 musculine, and the other organic substances, which by their 

 combination constitute the anatomical elements of the blood, 

 the muscles, the bones, the nerves, the body in a word; this 

 is assimilation. 



At the same time other molecules of the same principles, 

 in equal proportions, abandon by a separatory process the 

 substance of the organism, and unite to form the milk, 

 saliva, tears, bile, and the other secretions, which are to be 

 completely excreted as improper for nutrition, or partially 

 thrown oft and partially returned to the system. 



As to the anatomical elements, some of them have a form 

 which may be described, as globule, fibre, tube, and cell; 

 others are amorphous, and serve to fill the spaces between 

 those first-named. 



We see therefore that the immediate or proximate prin- 

 ciples and the anatomical elements constitute all organized 

 matter whether solid or fluid. 



The fluid portions of the human body greatly exceed the 

 solid ; they are computed at nine-tenths of the whole weight. 

 Water enters largely into the composition of these fluids, 

 a portion of which only is contained in the vessels or 

 reservoirs specially set apart for each of them, while the 

 remainder penetrates the solid parts and forms part of their 

 substance. 



The term humours fluids is applied to the liquid or 

 semi-liquid portions of the organism formed by the mingling 

 and dissolution of immediate principles, and they ordinarily 

 hold the anatomical elements in suspension. The solid 

 portions are called tissues. 



