On the relation of assimilation and secretion to the functions of organic life / by J. Gedge.

  • Gedge, Joseph.
Date:
[1869]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the relation of assimilation and secretion to the functions of organic life / by J. Gedge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    7F k\,v- - % '^'4? ■r-W^S 2— / / PRPo::, ^v% %<./;^ ^ * o / ON THE A i m- RELATION of assimilation and secretion TO THE FUNCTIONS OF ORGANIC LIFE. By J. GEDGE, M.B., Cantab., M.R.C.S. Physiology suffers much from the want of definite nomenclature. Organic processes specifically identical appear generically distinct, in consequence of the separate terms used in their description. It is on this account that I would enquire into what is meant by secretion and assimilation, with a view to show that, if our modem notions of physiology are correct, these processes can no longer be described as though they had nothing in common with the ordinary functions of organic life. Secretion as performed by the gland—the station where this function is somewhat isolated—will be first considered. Cells are the acknowledged agents in this process, as shown by the indiscriminate use of the terms “ secreting- cell” and “ gland-cell,” and as these histological units when they have arrived at maturity all share alike—all perform a similar office—we may limit our consideration of the function of the gland to that of a cell. The old notion of cells was that they were vesicles of varying size, having various contents. But now it is allowed, even by those who will go no further, that the vesicle must, during at least part of its existence, be fur-