istinct existence. Nothing, however, can be 
more absurd than such a dogma. The two 
es of phenomena are not connected other- 
se than by a very remote analogy. All the 
bhenomena of Life (putting aside, of course, 
ose psychical changes with which we are 
contrasting them) concern matter only, and 
‘consist in its actions and reactions, and there 
is nothing in them related to feeling or con- 
iciousness ; it is but reasonable, then, to refer 
hem to the laws of matter if we can do so. 
the phenomena of mind are universally 
allowed to be of a very different character ; 
there is nothing tangible or material about 
them; and, whether we regard them as causes 
i results of material changes, our reasons must 
ave a very different basis than the existence or 
non-existence of a vital principie. On this 
point all the most intelligent of modern writers 
we fully agreed.* 
The doctrine of “ the vital principle,” which is 
“at present very commonly received under some 
‘form or other, may be regarded as having been 
rst put forth in a distinct form by Barthez, 
ho invented this term to signify something 
stinct from either mind or body, but never- 
ieless capable of existing by itself. The vis 
edicatrix nature, which figures so promi- 
ently in the theories of Hoffmann and Cullen, 
‘nothing more than the same hypothetical 
gent under a different name ; for by this term 
as denoted a “ sort of in-dwelling guardian 
the body,” which “ presides over its func- 
ons in the state of health; and, when any 
ecidental cause of disturbance has given rise 
to a temporary disorder in the system, exerts 
elf to the best of its ability, with a sort of 
stinctive effort, often well directed, though 
pmetimes liable to mistake, to restore the 
healthful and regular condition.”+ No one 
have observed the phenomena of Life in 
orbid conditions of the body without witness- 
ing examples of the tendency to reparation in 
the various parts which have suffered from the 
ravages of disease or injury ; but this tendency 
Its, like their ordinary operations, from 
tir Original constitution as parts of an or- 
nised system, and not from any independent 
ent whose existence can be demonstrated ; 
that if the common phrase, “ the healing 
wer of Nature,” be i at all, it should 
Thus Mr. Abernethy, in his Exposition of 
nter’s Theory of Life, contended against con- 
nding perception and intelligence with mere 
lity. Dr. Prichard rematks (Review of the 
trine of a Vital Principle, p. 71,) that the con- 
cious principle or mind and the vital principle, 
pposing for a moment that both really exist, 
entirely distinct in their nature and attributes.” 
ind Dr. Alison’s anthority fully coincides with 
lose already qnoted. ‘* Whatever notion we may 
ntertain respecting the existence of a vital prin- 
“iple, it has no connexion with our notion respect- 
ng the existence of mind.” Seemed of Physio- 
logy, p. 3.) These three physiologists may be 
reg rded as fairly representing three different 
‘lasses of opinions regarding the vital principle ; 
che first being 4 zealous partizan of its claim to be 
sonsidered a distinct entity, the second as zealous 
nm opponent of the doctrine, and the third taking 
vn ntermediate position. 
+ Prichard, op. cit. p. 17. 
‘VOL. IIT. 
LIFE. 
145 
only be used as a general term for the expres- 
sion of this tendency. Precisely the same may 
be said of the “ Nisus Formativus,” or Bil- 
dungstrieb of Blumenbach. If it be employed 
merely as a general expression of phenomena 
evidently directed by their unknown cause or 
causes towards the same end, it is unobjection- 
able; but care must be taken lest it be sup- 
posed that something has been gained by such 
a generalisation, which, in fact, merely refers 
to the final cause and not to the efficient cause, 
and does not, therefore, carry us forward one 
step in the inquiry into the latter. If, on the 
other hand, it is intended thus to designate an 
agent whose operations produce these pheno- 
mena, it cannot be distinguished in any way 
from that commonly spoken of as the vital 
principle. Of a sitailar character would seem 
to be the “organic agent” of Dr. Prout, the 
“organic force” of Muller and other German 
physiologists. If by them are intended any 
entities separate from matter, or any forces 
distinct from those which the action of its 
properties creates, they evidently come under 
the same category.* 
We arrive, then, at last at the doctrine of 
the vital principle, which, since the time of 
Hunter, has prevailed in Britain, especially 
amongst his disciples, until a comparatively 
recent period, when its unphilosophical charac- 
ter, its inability to explain the phenomena of 
Life, and the absence of any valid evidence 
for such an hypothesis, have been made appa- 
rent. It is not easy to discover, however, from 
his writings, what were the precise opinions of 
Hunter upon this topic; for the inquirer is 
constantly perplexed by the peculiar vagueness 
of his expressions, which, if taken in a rigid 
sense, would indicate ideas quite opposed to 
one another. Thus, we find him at one time 
speaking of the brain as itself the materia vite 
in a concentrated state, and speculating that 
“ something similar to the materials of the 
brain is diffused through the body, and even 
contained in the blood.” But he elsewhere 
intimates his opinion that the principle of life 
is independent of organisation, a something 
superadded to the organised structure, as mag- 
netism to iron, or electricity to various sub- 
stances with which it may be connected. This 
view was warmly espoused by Mr. Abernethy ; 
so warmly, indeed, that he almost transforms 
the analogy into identity, maintaining that 
“ if the vital principle of Mr. Hunter be not 
* Such expressions, says Rudolphi, (Translation 
by How, p. 216,) may be approved of ‘* when it is 
wished briefly to mention the unknown cause of 
life ; but it is extremely objectionable to presume 
that they have thereby explained anything. - Au- 
thors generally commence at first with the modest 
declaration that they mean, by the word vital power, 
no more than the unknown origin of life; but this 
mask of modesty is presently thrown aside, and 
they proceed as if the thing had been quite clearly 
proved. It is now become a something which is 
imparted to the body ina certain quantum; and 
they talk of increased and diminished, exalted and 
fallen vital power, &c., and thus they have a Deus 
ex machiné which must help them through all 
obstacles. In such a case was Brown with his 
Excitability.” 
L 
