The Functions of the Bodily Machine

36. The functions of the body are made possible by the heart

The functions of the body are:

• the digestion of food
• the pulse of the heart and arteries
• the nutrition and growth of the limbs
• respiration
• wakefulness and sleep
• the reception of light, sounds, smells, tastes, heat, and other similar qualities in the external sense organs
• the impression of ideas formed within the organ of common sense
• the preservation of these ideas in memory
• the internal movements of desire and passion
• the external movements of all the limbs

These follow in such harmony, both in response:

• to objects presented to the senses and
• to passions and impressions in memory
  • These are imitated as accurately as possible.

These functions happen through the simple disposition of the organs, just as the movements of a clock or other automatons occur through the arrangement of weights and gears.

Hence, these movements are caused by the blood and the animal spirits in motion.

These are from the heat of the fire that constantly burns in its heart.

This fire is of the same nature as physical fire.