Page:Letters on the Human Body (John Clowes).djvu/132

112 from what, if remaining there, would prove injurious to the life and health of the body; and that this separation is afterwards continued in the intestines, even to the colon and rectum, where the noxious matter is finally ejected from the body.

Taking it for granted then, that you are in possession of all this information, and that you have besides made yourself acquainted with the singular form of the stomach, where all these extraordinary operations commence; and likewise with the multiplicity and mechanism of the absorbent and secreting vessels, where the same operations are continued; will you allow me to ask you, what are the real sentiments of your mind respecting all these wonders? Can you believe it possible that the body, which is of itself a mass of mere matter, is capable either of designing or of accomplishing such stupendous purposes? Or is it to be supposed that what is called nature, which in itself is dead, being created for the reception of life, but not possessing any life properly its own, hath the ability to produce such living activities? I am persuaded that your intelligent mind revolts at such ideas, as being utterly irreconcilable with all the dictates of sound reason, and also in direct opposition to all the wisdom of. You will therefore, I doubt not, agree with me, tat no satisfactory solution can