DR. PHILIP ON THE POWERS OF LIFE. 
353 
I am now to attempt to draw the line of distinction between the powers, which the 
living - animal possesses in common with inanimate nature, and those peculiar to itself. 
With respect to its mere mechanical powers to which I have just had occasion to 
refer, there can be but one opinion, that they are powers common to the living animal 
and inanimate nature ; but with respect to the powers we have been more particularly 
considering, all of which appear at first view to be powers peculiar to the former, the 
question is not so easily answered. Until it is answered, however, it is evident that 
we cannot draw the line which correctly separates the phenomena of life from those 
which result from other principles of action, a line essential to an accurate view of the 
properties, that is, to a knowledge, of that principle. 
The question which I am here to consider, then, is, how far are the sensorial, ner- 
vous and muscular powers and the powers of living blood peculiar to the living ani- 
mal, or possessed by it in common with inanimate nature ? 
IT requires but little consideration to answer the question respecting the sensorial 
and muscular powers, and the powers peculiar to the living blood. Where do we 
find in inanimate nature a power which can be mistaken for any of them ? But even 
the most cursory review of the functions, which, it appears from the experiments 
above referred to, are those of the nervous power properly so called, makes us pause. 
That the oxygen and carbon of the blood combine by the same agency as in the 
laboratory of the chemist, is a position too probable to be hastily dismissed ; and if 
such be the case, to what other functions of the nervous influence will the same ob- 
servation apply ? 
The following, it appears from experiments above referred to, comprehemUthe ner- 
vous functions properly so called. 
1. The excitement of the muscles of voluntary motion in all their functions. 
2. The excitement of the muscles of involuntary motion in some of their functions. 
3. The maintenance of the processes on which animal temperature depends. 
4. The formation of the various secreted fluids. And 
5. The more immediate processes of assimilation by which the structure of our 
various organs is both effected and maintained. 
Of these functions, the excitement of the muscles alone is the only one which may 
be supposed to be the effects of either a chemical or mechanical agent. 
In all the healthy functions of life, however, in which the muscular power is em- 
ployed, the stimulus which excites it, if we except the mere power of distension, 
appears to be of the former description. Even those stimulants, which maintain the 
functions of the alimentary canal, which, remotely depending on the stimulus of the 
food, may at first view be supposed to be the effect of a mechanical agent, appear to 
be wholly of a chemical nature. The ingesta will not excite a secretion of gastric 
juice unless they possess chemical properties of a certain description, and the mus- 
cular coat of the stomach is not duly excited unless the food has been converted 
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MDCCCXXXVI. 
