136 | Organic Physics, [Feo 
duction of protoplasm take place successively. They may occur 
simultaneously in different regions of the same body, yet there is 
reason to believe that now the one, now the other, is the ruling 
agency in the body, as a whole, each having its period of spe 
activity. 
This conception has been vaguely approached by some aa 
ologists, but does not seem to have been definitely laid down 
a fixed principle of organic action. It is very evident that du i 
the waking or active period oxygen is far more vigorously at 
work than during the sleeping or passive period. It eats its 
into the tissues; it chemically reduces the complex molecules 
their cells ; it sets at liberty their locked-up energies, and it lea 
these energies to be employed in the various modes of organic 
motion. The mind, the nerves and the muscles are now partic 
rya active. The me oota functions are also Wee acti 
cal modifications. It exudes from the vessels as a nu 
plasma, and is laid up for subsequent use in immediate cont 
to the cells of the tissues. ; 
During this period it is highly improbable that theres i 
active nutrition. Nutrition needs free energy, and locks up 
energy in the molecules produced. But. the free energy of 
body is now otherwise engaged, and there can be little or? 
left for the needs of organic synthesis. Moreover, m much o! 
free energy is used up in the selection and preparation of n 5 
molecules, and their conveyance to the localities where they 
active, but not the final one. There is little or no assimilati 
nutriment, The waking period is, therefore the one in which! 
dation is in excess; in which the stored- -up energies of > 
are being set free, and used as animal activity, and in W 
body is, as it were, dropping down hill, falling back a 
towards the mineral world. 
This phase of life-action limits itself. The affinity for 
is largely satisfied, and loses vigor. The cells exposed t 
tion have had many of their complex molecules reduc 
have grown less susceptible to thisform of chemism. Their 
