16 



functions of these elementary com- 

 ponent parts of the body ; since by 

 this method I should be led to describe 

 their natural and healthy structure and 

 functions, which wojuld be a proper in- 

 troduction to the subsequent discussions 

 I have to engage in, relative to the na- 

 ture and treatment of disorder and dis- 

 ease. As it does not seem material which 

 subject I consider first, 1 shall begin 

 with the Fibres, the only visible means 

 by which motion and sensation are pro- 

 duced ; for this will lead directly to the con- 

 sideration of Mr. Hunter's Theory of Life. 



In surveying the great chain of liv- 

 ing beings, we find life connected with 

 a vast variety of organization, yet ex- 

 ercising the same functions in each ; a cir- 

 cumstance from which we may I think 

 naturally conclude, that life does hot de- 



