The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-06
n i NJ B E R II
Life and its Physical Aspects,
BY CHARLES GIRARp.

The following is Il synopsis of one Of the
many papers read before the American Sc.-
cntiic Association, at present in session
here, and, unlike most ofthe papers present
cd from its freedom from all technicalities
and n"n-understandable phrases, will he Il
subject of interest to the general reader, for
whose benefit we enclose it. It's title il
"lifs and its Physical Aspects" by Charles
Glrard, of the Smithsonian institution.
Animated beings manifest a two-rold ma
tire, one material, the other spiritural.-
The material or physical nature assumes u
form, Il shape peculiar to each species CON-
stltuting bodies tangible and visible to the
senses. Call the latter immatc crial principle,
spirit, it matters not what, but let it be ac-
knOwedged as a condition sine. qua non of
the manifestation Of the physical. TO are
Ia be referred the moral arts and the moral
tendencies whiclt belong to the domain of
moral philosophy.
The different phases through which the
physical individual pl+scs, from lis formation
up to its last stage of existence, constitute
the physical aspects of life; or, in other
words, the law under which physical Le-
ing starts is the law under which it lives
during existence.
The author then proceeds to consider the
ultimate process of organic life; that is, the
elaboration of matter, its assimilation and
transformation into the various parts and Or
gans it assumes. dividing his subject into
the following heads:
The phenomena of the animal economy
take place rs though the living fabric was
but factory of cells.
lst. The organs and tissues are all COM
posed of cells diverscIy modified.
2nd The first aspect under which an ami
nal manifests Itself is a cell.
3rd. It, subsequent growth is but sim
pie multiplication of cells. -
! 4th. The nourishirg Of the body is the
mere replacing OF 'iecayei~ceIls by new
ones.
Now, if the cell be considered the ele-
mcntary part of the organic tissues, we can
say there are no organic elements, for how
ever simple cell may be, its existence i'm
ments-an internal or incloscd substance,
and an external and enclosing substance
A cell, therefore, does not arise from one
element. Oil or liquid fat and aIbumen en-
amincd mcroscopically in their primitive
state, exhibit no structure of any kind, but
when brought in contact almost instantane-
ously cells are formed. They may then be
produced nrtifcially. From experiments
made, it has been asccrtaned that the oil is
the enclosed portion of these prmOrdial
cells while the albumcn constitutes the on.
vcloping membrane. Cells thus producer
artiticialIy, however, though precisely SINH
lar TO those formed by the natural fabric,
will no: undergo further progress. Life
cInnot be impIrtei ariicialy; vitality i$
not within the reach Of experiment.
The writer then proceeds, in an intclli-
gent manner to point out, at some length,
the method of formation of the organic
cell tracing its rise and progress, until it
arrives at maturity, and the being, OF which
it is part, makes its appearance upon the
stage of life. In all organized bodies, howcv-
cr, there is a wearing away Of the constitu
ent PARTICLES Of which their various o:TIns
are composed. Each physical or mental ex-
crtion involves the destruction of materials,
requiring the aid of nourishmcnt to sustain
and maintain the balance, between the growth
and loss of these bodies. Sustenance is
necessary, and of the most varied kind. The
and ~ nn,Dliti,s nf 80,
cics of beings are different; different fool
must BE- selected by different races, all 9TH
er means adopted to preserve their perp,tu-
Ity of existence.
Allusion was also made to the subject of
digestion, the form iti0n OF chime, CT ;iia,
the lymph, fibrine, blood AM other fluids by
which the process of life is maintained, and
facts were adiuccd, showing that tho entire
economy Of org mic bodies is but On elabo- ;
ration of cells, the immaterial or spiritual
principle which resides in them all, disposing
of and arranging the cells according to the
plan stamped npon each species. The con.
stituents of the blood, its circulation, and
the very important part it bears in preserv-
ing and maintaining the other functions Of
the body in state of health AMI activity,
were made particular point of coasiiera-
ton.
In speaking Of nutrition, the anthor said.
This is the last word in physiology tho
last word of physiology is the first word
in clinical medicine science which, with
ont the aid of Dhysiolony wonld be hut an
art. Surgery or operative medicine rests
entirely upon anatomy. The better the hu-
man organism is known to the opcrator, the
better viii his operations be performed, so
that tho last word Of anatomy win be the
first word Of surgery At the bottom Of
physiology and medicine, clinical aud oper-
atige, will be found Embroidery"