On the dependence of animal motion on the law of gravity / by Henry Wiglesworth.

Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the dependence of animal motion on the law of gravity / by Henry Wiglesworth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    citadels of vital force, than did those ancient Physiolo- gists, who taught and believed that the arteries were tilled with air. The strict right to hold the term vital force, has, I be- lieve, never been disputed; but disputed it assuredly should be. We are dealing with matter at rest and in motion, and can prove that, when investigated in this state, it has always been found governed by certain fixed and unchangeable laws. Till we get opposite proof that matter may be at rest and in motion, Avithout being obedient to these laws, we have no right to assume it. It is true that these laws are dilEcult of investigation, and acting under circumstances apparently different to what we find them in the material world; but it will be more logical to attribute inertia and motion, of what- ever character, to them, till their untenability is distinctly proved, than to deny their application. Let animal motion, therefore, be assigned to these laws, and our investigations -directed to their discovery. Analog}' supports us, and we shall be free from the charge of bare assumption. In accordance with this view, I shall, in the following enquiry into the application of the One Great Law of Gravity to the production of Animal Motion, regard the body as a mere machine, obedient, in all respects, to Material laws. We shall find it directly active, through the medium of Atmospheric Pressure; the necessary vacuum being pro- duced by the chemical changes. I have touched upon Muscular and Nervous action, Nutrition, Absorption, Secre- tion, and Animal Heat; how fai- I have satisfactorilj'- ex- plained them, I leave others to determine.
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