Organic Philosophy (Volume 3); Or, Man's True Place in Nature Outlines of Biology. Body, Soul, Mind, Spirit

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1871 Excerpt: ... The chief fact to be borne in mind is that all the cells and tissues absorb special kinds of atoms from the river of life in the blood, and by associating these atoms, accumulate physical forces, to be expended as occasion may require, in special modes of motion; in conductor nerves, secreting glands, contractile muscles, elastic cartilage, flexible tendons, &c. Latent forces in the physical organism are in mutuality of relationship with corresponding kinds of spiritual forces in what has been called the spiritual body; and as these mutual relations are active or inactive, free or restricted, so the phenomena of life are natural or perverted, excited or depressed, vigorous or exhausted in their modes of manifestation. These again are more or less diversified in different temperaments, especially in hysterical and cataleptic persons, as well as in hibernating animals contrasted with non-hibernating species, and electrical fishes contrasted with non-electric. With respect to the torpedo, the gymnotus and the silurus, (those instinctive electricians as they have been termed) says Sir H. Holland, it is yet wholly uncertain whether the large nervous ganglia appropriate to their extraordinary powers, act directly in producing electricity or only giving energy to the extensive organs by which it is accumulated and directed.... The nerves supplying these organs have very different origin in the three species in question; and further we may note that there is no proportion between the intensity of the shock and the size of the nerve in each. Is it not evident in this case that the special nerve ia merely a conductor to liberate electric forces, just as other nerves liberate muscular forces by setting the body in motion? And not only is neural conduc...