170 ANALYTIC SECT. XIx. 
of this kind, and in dll these cases the body soon 
putrifies after death.” 
ccccxyv. From the two first experiments above 
detailed, it appears that the rectum, like the sto- 
mach, can decompose animal substances placed in 
contact with it, while the fourth, fifth, and sixth 
experimerits show that the whole animal body 
has a similar property. The incorporation of the 
boiled meat with the living muscles, while the 
wounds were fresh and the inflammation low, is 
not less curious than the decomposition of the 
meat when the inflammation of the wound became 
severe. Decomposition and assimilation going 
forward at the same time in one place, seem at 
first sight rather a chimera of the imagination, 
than a grave and irrefragable matter of fact; but 
the integrity of structure is maintained solely by 
this power which the different organs possess, of 
converting the blood into a substance similar to 
themselves. 
ccccxvi. In phlegmon, the vital force becomes 
intense enough to decompose the fibrous texture 
of the inflamed part, and even melt down the 
nerves and blood vessels that disengage it. 
cccecxvit. From all these facts and arguments, 
it appears positive, that wherever there are nerves 
and blood-vessels, there also must exist a decom- 
posing power ; and that this vital force, which is 
the cause of assimilation, secretion, &c. in the 
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