GENERAL FUNCTIONS 215 



performance of the so-called "organic functions" of life as 

 digestion, circulation, etc., are not directly influenced by vo- 

 lition; indeed an essential character of these functions is 

 that they are completely removed from the influence of the 

 will ; to be conscious subjectively of their performance is an 

 evidence of abnormality. 



The first step in every 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 particular set of muscles, the contraction of those mus- 

 cles immediately supervenes, so as to bring about the prede- 

 termined 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 produced unless a particular part of the nervous system 

 were present to convey the impression received to the center 

 capable of recognizing 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 communi- 

 cations, but that it has the power, in certain of its divisions, 

 of receiving impressions and of giving rise to stimulating in- 

 fluences 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 distributed to them. 

 This nervous force, having its origin in the living activity 



