tations of terms, or from the various points from which a subject may be viewed. While some have denied that the blood possesses vitality, others have gone to the opposite extreme, and considered it as the especial seat of life; and as if the writings of Moses had ever been intended for the teaching of physiology, they have appealed to such texts as the following: Genesis, ix. 4. "But the flesh, with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." Leviticus, xvii. 11-14. "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your souls for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof; whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.” Some commentators understand these injunctions as intended to preclude such a horrid mode of using animal food as practised by the Abyssinians, who, on certain occasions, cut from the living animal flesh, and devour it, still quivering with life, and reeking in blood, at the same time taking care to avoid vital parts, that the life of the poor mangled animal may not be destroyed. Richerand thus adverts to the effects of animal diet :--" Savages, who live by hunting, and who feed on raw, bloody, and palpitating flesh, are the most ferocious of men; and in our own country, in the midst of those scenes of horror which we have witnessed, and from which we have suffered, it was observed that butchers were foremost in the massacres, and in all the acts of atrocity and barbarity. I know this fact, which was uniformly noticed, has been explained by saying, that the habit of slaying animals had familiarised them to shed human blood. But though I do not deny the existence of this moral cause, which certainly operates, I think I may add to it, as a physical cause, the daily and plentiful use of animal food, and the breathing of an air filled with emanations of the same kind, which contributes to their embonpoint, which is sometimes excessive." Animal food is not well adapted for a warm climate, such as Palestine is for the greater part of the year, in which the Hebrews were destined to be placed. These appear to be sufficient reasons why the great Lawgiver imposed such injunctions and restrictions on that people, prone as they were to adopt the customs and follow the practices of their neighbours, who were sunk in the most base and degrading superstitions, accompanied with the most abominable and demoralising rites and usages. tations of terms, or from the various points from which a subject may be viewed. While some have denied that the blood possesses vitality, others have gone to the opposite extreme, and considered it as the especial seat of life; and as if the writings of Moses had ever been intended for the teaching of physiology, they have appealed to such texts as the following: Genesis, ix. 4. "But the flesh, with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat." Leviticus, xvii. 11-14. "And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your souls for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof; whosoever eateth it shall be cut off." Some commentators understand these injunctions as intended to preclude such a horrid mode of using ani practised by the Abyssinians, who cut from the living animal quivering with life, and time taking care to avo poor mangled animal thus adverts to the ef live by hunting, a pitating flesh, are own country, in the midst of those scene cf norror wi we have witnessed, and from which we arv sutiert... was observed that butchers were foremos 1: sacres, and in all the acts of atrot an. DETURT know this fact, which was uniform noise. na explained by saying, that the hate of saving amilla: had familiarised them to shed human boo DE I do not deny the existence of the mora Caus WL!" certainly operates, I think I may auta. cause, the daily and plentiful use of an an breathing of an air fled with emanation kind, which contributes 1er emoonpon. We times excessive." Animal for a warm climate, such as Faieste e fe te CHAPTER V. ABSORPTION. Purposes served by the function of Absorption-Absorption from the Skin-From Mucous Membranes-From Serous Membranes-From Cellular Tissue-From the Surfaces of the Joints-Interstitial Absorption-Its importance in carrying off the old worn-out particles, and consequent subservience to the renewal of the different parts of the Body-Special Organs of Absorption-Discovery of-Controversies respecting-Lacteals and Lymphatics-Their excessive number-Lymphatic Glands-Their Office-Case of puncture from Dissection-Endosmose and Exosmose-Venous Absorption-Causes influencing Absorption-Causes which tend to increase or diminish the risk from exposure to contagious Diseases. ABSORPTION is that function of living organized bodies by which new matter is taken up from without and introduced into their own systems, and by which also the different constituent parts of the body itself are removed, in order to give place to others in the renewal and development of the different parts of the frame. Every organ, and every constituent particle of an organ, is subject to absorption, with the exception of the enamel of the teeth, the hair, the scarf skin, and the nails. We may consider this function, in the first place, as it is carried on, either upon the external surface, or on surfaces having communication with it; secondly, as it occurs in shut cavities; and thirdly, where it takes place in the integral parts of the body. First, Numerous facts prove that absorption from the skin takes place to no inconsiderable extent, though the scarf-skin, forming, as it does, a barrier between all that |