60 Vital Physics. 



proportion as before indicated, constitute one organic 

 molecule. 



Suppose further, that each atom in this molecule be 

 classified into central and superficial attractions, and 

 carbon and hydrogen be viewed as having central attraction, 

 and oxygen and nitrogen as being attractive superficially. 

 Here, in the very midst of a new entity or molecule, degrees 

 of force are acting towards each other, in response to each 

 other's needs, so as to constitute a fresh centre of motion 

 and action, but each elemental atom possesses the respec- 

 tive fluids in different degrees. Say, hydrogen is sparingly 

 affected by the attractive force, but very susceptible to 

 variations of the repellent force. Carbon possesses more of 

 attractive force than hydrogen, and less of the repellent 

 superficially. So oxygen possesses more of the repellent 

 force centrally in proportion to the attractive force, and 

 nitrogen is centrally repellent but superficially very feebly 

 attractive (providing nitrogen itself is a pure element, and 

 not a compound of silicon and hydrogen). 



As some standard of acceleration for a fixed condition 

 must exist, cczteris paribus, this standard is given to the 

 attractive fluid, which fluid is considered to be invariable ; 

 and the same in every atom and molecule at all times 

 in the ratio of its acceleration, the point of variation being 

 taken from the repellent fluid, which can decrease or 

 accumulate from any given point as a standard, as water 

 at 60, or oil at 60. Caloric can be given up at this point 

 down to zero, or accumulate up to 212 or higher, ac- 

 cording to atmospheric pressure. 



Hence the mutual attractions and repulsions constituting 

 the inherent forces of a molecule at any given time may be 

 entirely changed by variations in temperature, destroying all 

 chemical affinities ; the plus of caloric, beyond a given 

 standard of heat, say 600, being usually sufficient to destroy 



