The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-29
VI.


physiological death, as distinguished from
accidental or pathological death by i'll
ness parasites, mishaps, etc? Normal
death takes place in all organisms when
the limit of the hereditary term Of life is
reached. The normal span Of life has
been determined in all species, in the course
of their evolution, by adaptation to special
conditions, and has then been transmitted
TO offspring by heredity The span. of
course varies enormously in different
classes Of organisms. Many OF the unicel-
lular protophyta and protocol live only
n few hours, while. on the other hand
the larger vertebrates are not uncommonly
a hundred years old. and many trees live
for "A thousand years. Tho relatively few
individuals who escape external or acct
dental causes of death find the end OF life
in old age or senility, by the gradual decay
Of the organs and dwindling Of their func-
tons The oause of this senility and tho
ensuing natural death is determined for
each species OF organisms by the specific
nature of its plasm. The senility of in
dividuas consists in the inevitable in
crease In the decay Of protoplasm and in
the metaplastio parts OF the body which
this decay produces Each metaplasm in
the body favors the inactive breakup OF
protoplasms and so, also, the formation
Of new metaplasrns The plaem loses more
and more the power TO replace by regenera-
ton the Losses il sustains by the exercise
Of the vital functions. Az the receptivity
Of the brain and the acuteness OF the senses
gradually diminish, so the muscles lose
their energy, the bones become fragile,
the skin dry and withcred while the elias
ITCHY and endurance Of the movements
decrease. All these normal processes OF
senlle decay are caused by chemical changes
in the plasm, in which DISSEMINATION gains
constantly on assimilation. In the end
they lead inevitably 10 normal death.
The great majority Of men, however pass
away, "a we have said. through illness,
long before the normal term OF life Is
reached. The external causes Of prcmn.
ture dissolution are the attacks Of enemies
and parasites, accidents and unfayorable
conditions Of life.
In his chapter on death, Prof. Haeckel
discusses the question whether, when
the circumstances of life press too hard
upon a human being, who, without any
volition Of his own, has been evolved from
fertilize ovum- when, instead Of the hoped
for good. there come only care and need,
sickness and misery OF every kind-he has
the right 10 put an end to his suferings by
death There is no doubt that the con-
ventional morality condemns suicide under
any circumstances; but our author holds
that the reasons alleged by it are ridicu-
lousy slight and are not improved by
having the mantle OF religion wrapped
around them. THE voluntary DEATH
he says. by which man puts an end TO
intolerabe suffering is really an act OF re-
demption. We should, therefore, describe
1t as self redemption, and look upon II
with Christian sympathy, not brand 1t
pharisaioally as 'self-murder.' Az a matter
OF fact, this oontemptuous phrase has no
meaning. since murder Is taking away
mans life against his will, while the sui
eide dies voluntarily. Hence, he usually
deserves our sympathy, not contempt,
and certainly not punishment. Haeckel
adds: Our asylunls grow bigger and more
numerous every year and we have sanitaris
on every side. in which the baited victim
OF modern civilization seeks refuge from
his miseries Some Of these miseries are
quite incurable, and the sufferers have 10
meet certain death in terrible pain. Many
Of these creatures look forward eagerly
to their redemption from evil and the end