TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 1079 
material, and (0) for the metabolism of the reserve-proteid. This second use will 
be chiefly considered. 
2. The uncertain state of knowledge of the character of vegetable proteids, with 
a résumé of the latest researches. 
Proteids in the juice of the fruit of Carica papaya. Action of the proteolytic 
ferment, papain, on animal albumen and on the proteids occurring in the juices. 
Discussion of the metabolic changes, especially as regards formation and fate of. 
peptones and crystalline nitrogenous products. Indications for future researches.! 
7. On a new kind of Colour Apparatus for Physiological Experiment. 
By JouHn AIKEN. 
8. On the Structure of Hyaline Cartilage. By Guorce Tuy, M.D. 
Y. The Preservation and Prolongation of Lije to 100 years. 
By Proraeroe Suiru, M.D? 
The accuracy and precision which mark the rapid motion of the steam-engine, 
continuing its ceaseless work apparently without deterioration, afford a type of 
what has been often observed in regard to the life of man. If the parts, or organs, 
on the normal condition of which the existence and continuance of our being 
mainly depends, in the same way, are kept in their place, and free from the friction 
of counteracting circumstances, the living human machine will also be found to 
possess macrobiotic powers far beyond what is commonly supposed. The popular 
objection to this statement consisting of the idea that the limit of natural life is 
four score years and ten, is proved to be a misconception of the authority on which 
this assumption relies. Senile decrepitude, leading to premature decay, is shown 
usually to result from derangement of those mechanical forces which in health 
sustain the body and its essential vital organs. But when restored, the ‘mens 
sana in corpore sano’ will not only be often reinstated, but life also greatly 
extended so as to warrant the answer in the aflirmative to the question, ‘Can we 
attain to the age of a hundred years, and live happily so long and even longer ? ” 
In naming certain organs and their functions as essential to healthy life, it will be 
seen how often they become deranged and interrupted in their action by the altered 
form of the bony structure of the body, resulting from advanced age or disease. 
This alteration in the bony structure is a gradual loss of the normal curvature of 
the spine, causing the back to become ultimately convev instead of concave, as in its 
natural sigmoid form, thus throwing forward the head and shoulders into a stooping 
attitude, and displacing the pelvis towards a horizontal plane instead of its natural 
trclined position. This alteration causes a compression and displacement of the 
various important organs of the body, which impede their action, and result in 
the gradually progressive deterioration of both the bodily and mental powers in senile. 
decrepitude. The stooping position of the body causes a continued strain upon 
the muscles of the back in order to support the unnatural overhanging weight in 
front, consequent on the loss of the natural balance of the body, ‘The disturbing 
cause of this change is directly attacked, and gradually removed by a simple 
mechanical appliance, which restores the spine to its natural form and the upright 
position of the body, and brings the pelvis back to its natural inclined position. 
For this purpose the ‘ Pelvic Band’ has now been used successfully by the author 
for many years, effecting this object by a gentle spring action, exerting a con-. 
tinuous pressure forwards upon the spine in the hollow of the back, and backwards 
upon the pelvis and shoulders in front, The result thus effected has been in several, 
1 For details of results, see Journal of Physiology, vol. v. 
} Published in extenso by John Avery & Co., Gallowgate, Aberdeen. 
