Researches in the Theory and Calculus of Operations. 325 



is called forth.no unequilibrated force. In the duodenum, 

 the entering chyme is met by the hepatic, pancreatic, and 

 splenetic secretions, and double decomposition now ensues 

 in the mixture, originating two new compounds, one of 

 which is of the second degree of equilibrated force, and 

 therefore susceptible of further decomposition ; while*the 

 other is of the first degree only, and consequently is a caput 

 mortuum with respect to use in the present system. The 

 unequilibrated force elicited by this double decomposition 

 stands, in relation to the semifluid substance in its grasp, 

 exactly as the unequilibrated force of the solid body to its 

 mass in the production of motion by impact. Consequently 

 the immediate result here should be similar : the fluid com- 

 post is movable, and its advance in the tube is necessitated 

 by the traction of the force. The decomposing process con- 

 tinues during the passage of the substance along the bowels, 

 with similar disposition of the forces thus elicited ; while 

 the forces elicited by the stimulus of the pabulum touching 

 the coats of the tube are reactively expended in forcing the 

 nutritive element into the mouths of the lacteals, whence 

 it is conducted to the heart, there mixed with the sangui- 

 ferous fluid, and thence distributed everywhere for the 

 renovation of the tissues of the whole system : to the lungs, 

 for the conversion of the venous or impure blood into arte- 

 rial or pure blood; to the surface, to individualize and pro- 

 tect the system against externalities ; to the organs of sense, 

 nose, palate, eye and ear, to detect the presence of serial 

 and liquid matters, and of vibrations in the air and subtle 

 ether ; to the kidneys, for the depuration of the blood by 

 the separation and dismissal of the effete matter, resulting 

 from successive de- and re-compositions ; to the genitals, 

 to make preparation for posterity; to the liver and pancreas 

 *and spleen, for the combined purpose of instituting decom- 

 position in the intestinal canal ; to the limbs, for the exer- 

 cise of leverage in moving the body ; to the spinal and 



