602 SPECIFIC OFFICE OF THE 



ful sensation of a pressing vital want, which forces 

 the little being to utter a cry, when the lungs 

 expand for the reception of air, and all his 

 embryo faculties are exalted. This half uncon- 

 scious feeling continues to operate throughout 

 the remainder of existence, and when all the out- 

 ward senses are steeped in oblivion ; for " not 

 even in sleep is will resigned," as proved by the 

 fact that respiration still goes on, though some- 

 what diminished, while all the higher functions 

 of the brain are suspended. Hence it is, that 

 when the vagus or eighth pair of nerves is divided, 

 the process of breathing is diminished, the tem- 

 perature of the body reduced, sanguification, se- 

 cretion, nutrition, &c. impaired, or even wholly 

 suspended by destruction of the brain and spinal 

 marrow simply because respiration is a volun- 

 tary process, and the primary function of life, 

 on which all the others depend. Division of 

 the nerves going to the stomach, pancreas, kid- 

 neys, and other glands, does not prevent them 

 from secreting their respective fluids ; but if cut 

 off from the supply of living blood by dividing or 

 tying their arteries, the powers of secretion, nutri- 

 tion, sensation, and motion, are wholly suspended. 

 The sensorium may be compared to the com- 

 mander of an army, whose office it is to direct 

 its movements ; but the moving power resides in 

 the army and not in the general. The external 

 senses may also be compared to the sentinels 



