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One of the phenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention

was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal

endued with life. Whence, I often asked myself, did the principle

of life proceed? It was a bold question, and one which has ever

been considered as a mystery; yet with how many things are we

upon the brink of becoming acquainted, if cowardice or

carelessness did not restrain our inquiries. I revolved these

circumstances in my mind and determined thenceforth to apply

myself more particularly to those branches of natural philosophy

which relate to physiology. Unless I had been animated by an

almost supernatural enthusiasm, my application to this study

would have been irksome and almost intolerable. To examine the

causes of life, we must first have recourse to death. I became

acquainted with the science of anatomy, but this was not

sufficient; I must also observe the natural decay and corruption

of the human body.