1 84 SCIENCE FROM AN EASY CHAIR 



and this implied that what is called " suspended anima- 

 tion " was not really a possible thing, but that there 

 could only be an apparent or approximate suspension. 

 On the contrary, it seems that just as we may stop a 

 watch by holding back the balance-wheel with a needle, 

 and yet not " kill " the watch for it will resume its 

 movement as soon as the needle is removed so the 

 changes of the chemical molecules of protoplasm can be 

 arrested, but if the chemical " structure " is uninjured the 

 mechanism of protoplasm can resume its activity when 

 the arresting causes are removed. The inactive, un- 

 changing protoplasm is not "dead," it has not been 

 " killed " so long as its mechanism is intact. 



On the other hand, it is the fact that this mechanism 

 the chemical structure of protoplasm is very easily 

 destroyed. A unicellular organism is chemically de- 

 stroyed by crushing or disruption, and the consequent 

 admixture of an excess of water with its particles, also by 

 a temperature high enough to cause pain if applied to our 

 skin, but yet much below that of boiling water, also by 

 strong sun-light, and by very many varieties of chemical 

 substances, especially acids, even when very much diluted. 

 Complex animals and plants are liable to have the proto- 

 plasm of essential and important cells of the body de- 

 stroyed, whereupon the destruction or death of the other 

 cells, not involved in the original trouble, frequently and as 

 a rule results. The protoplasm of the cells of a complex 

 animal is dependent on the proper activity of many 

 other cells besides those of its own tissue or locality in 

 the body. If the protoplasm of certain nerve-cells or of 

 blood-cells or of digestive-cells is poisoned or injured or 

 chemically upset, other cells lose as a consequence 

 not at once but after a short interval their necessary 

 chemical food, their oxygen, their accustomed tempera- 

 ture, and so bit by bit the great " body " the complex 



