The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-07
THE ORIGIN OF LIFE.

Not the least important portion of the
discourse delivered by President Hebbard
in opening the annual meeting of the
Medical Association on Monday was the
reference to the progress of biology IN
the study of the origin of vital activity in
protoplasm. AS Huxley said. protoplasm
is the physical basis of life. We cannot go
beyond that in the study of the dividing
line between organic and inorganic mat
Ter. In itself prOtoplasm is an albumin old
substance consisting of carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen and nitrogen; united in certain
varying 10 Molecular com binations it becomes
the source of life, or life itself. The an
atomist calls it a ''eelI," which may be
the whole body OF an organism, or may
unite with other cells to form a complete
organism. In either case the cell consists
of protoplasm, and forms the oYum of all
animals.
1t is thus in the study Of pure protoplasm
that we must search for the connecting
link between the mind and the body.
Tners is no mind in oxygen, hydrogen,
nitrogen OF carbon; combine them in vari-
Gus proportions and we find mind in the
combination, barely discernible in the
Ovum, but distinctly visible In the finished
creature. How did the mind get there?
Is the spirit a mere essence evolved from
matter under specific conditions?
The inquiry derives practical importance
from the wanderings of the human intel
lect on the confines of the unknown land.
Hypnotism. mesmerism. Christian science
snd-tO borrow Dr. Hebbard's phrase
other anomalous neurOses" are the fruits
6 T. ~,
perfect light. The professors of these fads
observe phenomena which they cannot ex-
plain. They jump to the conclusion that
they have got hold Of the connecting link
between soul and body, and they plunge
into labyrinth of decisions which often
lead to ridiculous impOsture. Few of them
possess the knowledge necessary even for
a preliminary study of the phenomena.
Even Reichenbach, who was an honest
man, with a fair knowledge of science,
could Only work back from a few observed
facts 10 theory which never rose above
the level of an hypothesis. AS to our own
American writers on biology. they know
80 little that they merely add one con-
lectursl assertion to another, and arrive at
conclusions which are absurd.
The great pro blem can only be profitably
studied by applying severe logical reason
ing to methOdcal observation of the pro-
toplasm and of the nervous system Such
study requires a powerful mind, clear
perceptions and such scientific knowledge
as few have the opportunity to acquire.
II is study far more profound than that
which led to the discovery of the bacterial
origin of disease. That was revealed by
rniprOcaapia nj IF h.
and habits of the bacilli; it merely called
for physical attention. The study of the
origin of life requires an exhaustive re-
search into metaphysical laws as well. 1t
is not study which any one man can ex-
pect to master. 1t calls for the pest work
by series of Investigators, each supple
menting the labors of his predecessor. 1t
exacts the continuOus exertion of genera
tions of Darwins and Huxleys.
The simplest operations Of ordinary life
involve problems which no one can solve.
An individual proposes to write his name
The mind sends through the nerves an
order to the muscles of the hand to seize
pen. Back comes the message, over the
nervous telegraph line, that the pen is
ready. The mind orders the muscles to
dip the pen in the ink. That done. the
mind again resorts to the nervous wire.
and orders the muscles TO inscribe on a
paper the letters composing the name
John Jones. Every one knows how SIM
pie this operation is in practice; but the
most learned man alive cannot tell how
the mind communicates with the nerves,
how the nerves communicate with the
muscles. or why the latter obey. In asy-
lums for the feeble-minded children are
seen who are said to have no control over
their muscles. Doctors say that the facul-
~ Of Voltion is wanting. In them. ap-
parently. the nerves either refuse to d their
duty as messengers for the mind, or the
muscles refuse to obey the orders they re-
ceive from the nerves. Somewhere there
is break in the line of communication.
and what is called diocy results. 1t would
seem that the study Uf this branch of
biology might be proftably pursued by
careful study both during and after life of
the brain and nervous systems of the un-
fOrlunates who are the objects of public
benevolence.