180 PHYSIC 



and breaking up of tissue material into its simpler chemical 

 and physical constituents, and, thereafter, into its ultimate 

 inorganic elements. 



Pathological degenerations may thus often precede 

 atrophy of structure and organ, and afford the material and 

 dynamic basis for the evolution of diseased entities and 

 for their extension to the degree of ultimate complete 

 usurpation of physiological dominion and vital supremacy 

 in the material disposition and formative work of the 

 affected organisms it may, therefore, be regarded as a 

 prematurely aggressive ally of the natural forces of involu- 

 tion which, at one time or another, assert themselves as 

 the ' ' natural span of life " lengthens out to its close and 

 as the processes of innervation and nutrition, or the 

 material and dynamic vital activities, fall into abeyance 

 and ultimate cessation. Disease and death are, therefore, 

 both indebted to degeneration for the accomplishment of 

 much of their inevitable destructive work, and vital 

 involution for the hurrying forward of its accomplishment 

 of the duties of organic reduction and dismantlement. 



