IN THE ANIMAL ORGANISM. 215 



When the membranes are compelled from their own 

 substance to furnish resistance to the action of the 

 oxygen, that is, when there is a deficiency of the sub- 

 stances destined by nature for their protection, they 

 must, since their renewal is confined within narrow 

 limits, yield to the chemical action. The lungs and 

 intestines will always simultaneously suffer abnormal 

 changes. 



From the change of matter itself, from the meta- 

 morphosis of the living muscular tissue, these organs 

 receive the means of resistance to the action of oxygen 

 which are indispensable to their preservation. Ac- 

 cording to .the rapidity of this process, the quantity of 

 bile secreted increases ; while that of the fat present in 

 the body diminishes in the same proportion. 



For carrying on the involuntary motions in the ani- 

 mal body, a certain amount of vital force is expended 

 at every moment of its existence ; and, consequently, 

 an incessant change of matter goes on ; but the amount 

 of living tissue, which, in consequence of this form of 

 consumption of vital force, loses its condition of life 

 and its capacity of growth, is confined within narrow 

 limits. It is directly proportional to the force required 

 for these involuntary motions. 



Now, although we may suppose that the living mus- 

 cular tissue, with a sufficient supply of food, never 

 loses its capacity of growth ; that this form of vital 

 manifestation is continually effective ; this cannot apply 

 to those parts of the body whose available vital force 



