PHYSIOLOGY. 



perceive, that the connexions established, are suited to the pur- 

 poses of the animal economy ; and particularly to the purpose of 

 supporting the system in a certain condition for a certain time, 

 and of averting what might hurt o* destroy it.' Here is a parti- 

 cular which might admit of a very large and long commentary ; but 

 I purpose to give a very short one, because it is done to my hand 

 in many other places. Philosophers have considered it as a proof 

 of the existence of an intelligent and all-powerful Being govern- 

 ing the Universe, that they find a connexion of the several parts 

 in it nicely adapted to their several ends, and this is adduced a pos- 

 teriori in proof of the existence of a Deity, by Ray, Derham, and 

 Nieuwentyt. Their proofs are particularly taken from the human 

 body ; and the economy is evidently a system comprehending a 

 great variety of single functions, and separate organs. We find the 

 organs nicely accommodated to their functions, and these adapt- 

 ed to concur to the purposes of the economy. The tendency 

 of all the functions is the general support of the body during 

 a certain length of time ; and while the course of life is expos- 

 ed to a variety of accidents, there are as many powers for guard- 

 ing against these injuries. Our passions also are more common- 

 ly intended to avert evil than to procure good. But whilst the 

 philosophers have taken their illustrations from the external 

 functions, physicians can go further, and sho^ the nice adjust- 

 ment and capacity of the heart, with its valves, for directing the 

 motion of the blood ; they can explain the alimentary canal, 

 which takes in a promiscuous variety of aliment, converts 

 it to the purposes of the economy by a nice assimilation, con- 

 veys it to the several places where the nutriment may be applied, 

 obviates certain tendencies to degeneracy, throws out the noxi- 

 ous, and supplies the nutritious parts. In short, upon the most 

 minute consideration of the smallest internal functions, they will 

 be found an illustration of this equal to that taken from the exter- 

 nal functions, and from the various operations of moral causes 

 which have been insisted upon. Physicians have at all times 

 taken notice of this, that not only the body has a vis comer- 

 vatrix, but also a power of guarding against injuries, as in the 

 case of noxious bodies taken into the stomach the action of 

 vomiting is produced ; and so in many other cases we guard 

 against evil ; and injuries having taken place, motions are ex- 



