9 LAWS OF THE 



whose true connexion with others, whose ultimate cause, 

 is still unknown. 



If we assume, that all the phenomena exhibited by 

 the organism of plants and animals are to be ascribed to 

 a peculiar cause, different in its manifestations from all 

 other causes which produce motion or change of condi- 

 tion ; if, therefore, we regard the vital force as an in- 

 dependent force, then, in the phenomena of organic 

 life, as in all other phenomena ascribed to the action of 

 forces, we have the statics, that is, the state of equilib- 

 rium determined by a resistance, and the dynamics, of 

 the vital force. 



All the parts of the animal body are produced from a 

 peculiar fluid, circulating in its organism, by virtue of 

 an influence residing in every cell, in every organ, or 

 part of an organ. Physiology teaches, that all parts of 

 the body were originally blood ; or that at least they 

 were brought to the growing organs by means of this 

 fluid. 



The most ordinary experience further shows, that at 

 each moment of life, in the animal organism, a continued 

 change of matter, more or less accelerated, is going on ; 

 that a part of the structure is transformed into unorgan- 

 ized matter, loses its condition of life, and must be 

 again renewed. Physiology has sufficiently decisive 

 grounds for the opinion, that every motion, every mani- 

 festation of force, is the result of a transformation of 

 the structure or of its substance ; that every concep- 

 tion, every mental affection, is followed by changes in 

 the chemical nature of the secreted fluids ; that every 



