214 THE PHENOMENA OF MOTION 



tains no organs for conducting away the moving power. 

 Cellular tissue, gelatinous membranes, and mucous 

 membranes, are far from being destitute of the power 

 of combinin ; with oxygen, when moisture is present ; 

 we know that, when moist, they cannot be brought in 

 contact with oxygen without undergoing a progressive 

 alteration. But one surface of the intestines and the 

 cells of the lungs is constantly in contact with oxy- 

 gen ; and it is obvious, that they must be as rapidly 

 altered by the chemical action of the oxygen in the 

 body as out of it, were it not that there exists in the 

 organism itself a source of resistance, which completely 

 neutralizes the action of the oxygen. Among the 

 means by which this resistance is furnished we may 

 include all substances which are capable of combining 

 with oxygen, or acquire that property under the influ- 

 ence of the vital force, and which surpass the tissues 

 above-mentioned in their power of neutralizing its 

 chemical action. 



All those constituents of the body which, in them- 

 selves, do not possess, in the form of vital force, the 

 power of resisting the action of oxygen, must be far 

 better adapted for the purpose of combining with, and 

 neutralizing it, than those tissues which are under the 

 influence of the vital force, although only through the 

 nerves. In this point of view, we cannot fail to per- 

 ceive the importance of the bile in regard to the sub- 

 stance of the intestines, and that of the pulmonary cells, 

 as well as that of fat, of mucus, and of the secretions 

 generally. 



