Excerpt from Fibrin Its Origin and Development in the Animal Organism, and Its Relation to Life, Health, Longevity, and Disease, an Incontrovertible Argument in Favour of the Hydropathic SystemLife consists of waste and supply, action and extinction; living substance assuming the state of death, and dead materials, by the laws of vitality, the condition of life.In a galvanic battery, so long as the zinc water and acid continue to be supplied, the current is maintained; but when the elements of development are used up, all electrical action ceases. Now, animal life, according to Liebig, emanates from the union of oxygen with blood and nutritive substances, producing the elimination of carbonic acid. But when oxygen or nutritive matters cease to be supplied, of course life becomes extinct.In addition to the above definition of life, we may further add that, in the higher animal and vegetable structures, its maintenance is specially dependent upon the encasement and protection of the living organism from the direct influence of those elements and forces which serve to excite and stimulate it to action. It is by this encasement that the interior substances and liquids of the body are preserved in their original integrity and power, probably as electro-chemical elements. In order to show the necessity for this encasement, we may remark that in living animals and vegetables, whilst it remains entire, vital action continues to be manifested; but when it is removed, death ensues. Even in fruits, peas, and other vegetables, when separated from the parent stem, a sort of waning vitality is still preserved for a time.

But the moment the corticle - skin, peel, rind, or husk, &c. - is removed, then that chemical action sets in, which supersedes death, and effects decomposition and putrefaction. By the construction of the organism in this manner, the vital stimuli and sustenance are admitted only under given restrictions into the interior of the body. Here they produce such chemical changes as liberate the forces - caloric, or heat, and most probably electricity.1. They thus maintain the body at that degree of temperature which is best adapted to the performance of its functions.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.

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