hould think it necessary to invoke a peculiar agent for the explanation of an effect, viz. the prevention of putrefactive decomposition, which, in the casks of the curer, or the jars of the anatomist, they may see effected by products of inorganic chemistry.

On the whole, we conclude, that the physiologist in prosecuting his investigation of the changes of combination and decomposition which occur in the animal economy in the state of health, and the pathologist in endeavouring to ascertain the deviations to which these are subject in the state of disease, are entitled to proceed on the belief, that whatever differences there may be in the resulting products, their formation is regulated by the same laws to which the chemical changes of inorganic substances are subjected; and that where these laws seem inadequate to the explanation of any particular phenomenon, they may be certain that the circumstances of that phenomenon are still imperfectly understood.

We must here terminate the view which we have attempted to sketch of the vital powers that are concerned, conjointly with the powers common to all forms of matter, in producing the corporeal phenomena of the animal economy, and of the variations to which these powers are liable in the state of disease. Though very imperfect, we trust this view has been sufficient to show how little is as yet actually known of what may be called the mechanism of the functions, or the agencies engaged in the performance of their several parts; and how little, consequently, medical men are prepared to analyse and reduce to their primary elements those deviations from healthy exercise which the different functions experience in the various states of disease, independently of structural alterations. Hence it happens, that the pathologist is frequently compelled to stop short, in framing his proximate causes, at the general functional derangement of which he obtains evidence, instead of attempting to trace this back to the particular dynamical condition or conditions upon which it may depend; to be content with saying of a secretory organ, for example, that its action is excessive, deficient, or vitiated, instead of attempting to determine whether it is in its organic or in its inorganic forces, and in which of these respectively, that the primary source of derangement has its seat.

Before concluding, we shall only further remark, that it is impossible to review the different sensible alterations of structure which have been enumerated in a former part of this article, as constituting the proximate causes of the various forms of organic diseases, without being satisfied that in very few instances are these the immediate results of the action of morbid agents on the several parts of the body; and that previous to the occurrence of those changes which render structural proximate causes perceptible to the senses, dynamical or imperceptible changes must have taken place, the nature of which can be for the most part only a matter of inference. The application of a ligature to a limb, or some other impediment to the return of the blood to the heart by the veins, may produce congestion, dropsy, or perhaps hemorrhage, as its direct effect; but in those cases in which these morbid conditions occur in what is called an active form, their appearance must have been preceded by a dynamical affection of some portion of the circulatory system. Hence the opinion of those who maintain that the first changes towards disease are always dynamical, is correct, provided it be understood that this term signifies merely changes of action, independently of perceptible changes of structure; changes of action which must primarily originate in the injurious operation of morbid agencies on the insensible conditions of the several textures, systems, and organs of the body.

PATIENCE is that calm and unruffled temper with which a good man bears the evils of life, from a conviction that they are at least permitted, if not sent, by the best of Beings, who makes all things work together for good to those who love and fear him.