394 POISONS, CONTAGIONS, MIASMS. 



of the attraction of their constituents ; they arrange 

 themselves either into new, more simple, and perma- 

 nent combinations, or if a foreign attraction exercise 

 its influence upon it, they arrange themselves in 

 accordance with that attraction. 



The special characters of food, that is, of substan- 

 ces fitted for assimilation, are absence of active 

 chemical properties, and the capability of yielding 

 to transformations. 



The equilibrium in the chemical attractions of the 

 constituents of the food is disturbed by the vital 

 principle, as we know it may be by many other causes. 

 But the union of its elements, so as to produce new 

 combinations and forms, indicates the presence of a 

 peculiar mode of attraction, and the existence of a 

 power distinct from all other powers of nature, 

 namely, the vital principle. 



All bodies of simple composition possess a greater 

 or less disposition to form combinations. Thus oxalic 

 acid is one of the simplest of the organic acids, 

 while stearic acid is one of the most complex ; and 

 the former is the strongest, the latter one of the 

 weakest, in respect to active chemical character. By 

 virtue of this disposition, simple compounds produce 

 changes in every body which offers no resistance to 

 their action ; they enter into combination and cause 

 decomposition. 



The vital principle opposes to the continual action 

 of the atmosphere, moisture and temperature upon 

 the organism, a resistance which is, in a certain 

 degree, invincible. It is by the constant neutraliza- 

 tion and renewal of these external influences that 

 life and motion are maintained. 



The greatest wonder in the living organism is the 

 fact, that an unfathomable wisdom has made the 

 cause of a continual decomposition or destruction, 

 namely, the support of the process of respiration, 

 to be the means of renewing the organism, and of 

 resisting all the other atm/)spheric influences, such 

 as those of moisture and changes of temperature. 



