14' LECTURE I. 



since by this method I should be led to 

 describe their natural and healthy struc- 

 ture and functions, which would be a pro- 

 per introduction to the subsequent discus- 

 sions I have to engage in, relative to the 

 nature and treatment of disorder and dis- 

 ease. As it does not seem material which 

 subject I consider first, I shall begin with 

 the fibres, the only visible means by which 

 motion and sensation are produced ; for 

 this will lead directly to the consideration 

 of Mr. Hunter's Theory of Life. 



In surveying the great chain of living 

 beings, we find life connected with a vast 

 variety of organization, yet exercising the 

 same functions in each ; a circumstance 

 from which we may I think naturally con- 

 clude, that life does not depend on organ- 

 ization. Mr. Hunter, who so patiently and 

 accurately examined the different links of 

 this great chain, which seems to connect 

 even man with the common matter of the 

 universe, was of this opinion. In speak- 



