(Continued from page 89.)
CHAPTER 2
The Complex Chemical Components of the Body
It need hardly be said that we do not find the elements, at some of which we have been looking, in an unmingled state in the human body. As is the case in the world at large, they are found in endless variety of composition. This refers chiefly to the four elements at which we have been looking, and which are the theme of organic chemistry, but is true of all the elements forming the body. Thus water, forming 70% of the whole, is a chemical compound, H2O. Salt, so essential in the blood plasma, is sodium chloride, Na Cl. Lime, calcium, the essential ingredient of the bones, is found either as a phosphate, Ca 3 (PO 4)2, or a Carbonate, Ca CO 3. Potassium and sodium phosphates maintain the alkalinity of the blood. The iron enters intimately into the hemoglobin, forming the red corpuscles; and 'so it is with practically all the inorganic elements which enter into the composition of the body. We do not speak further of these, however, but turn to the well-nigh numberless compounds formed in the tissues of the organism, in which some of the four elements whose spiritual significance we have been considering are found. These are classified under three general heads, at each of which we will look somewhat in detail -the Nitrogenous substances, the Fats, and the Carbohydrates.
As has already been stated, the nitrogenous substances are of the greatest importance in the body. They are chiefly proteins, and occur largely in the solid tissues of the body, and in the blood and lymph. We cannot begin to describe the complex character of the proteins, or even to give a list of the various acids which enter into their composition. Of the elements composing the protein molecule, nitrogen is by far the most important. In order for the animal tissues to obtain this element from the atmosphere or other organic sources, it must first be assimilated by the plant. Plants are therefore the great mediators between the inorganic nitrogen and the organized animal. In this way they suggest themselves as a type of Him who is the only Mediator between God and man. He only fed upon God-"As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by (or, because of) the Father, so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me" (John 6:57). The resemblance can be carried further, for the life of the plant is sacrificed to be the food of the animal:"The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world" (John 6:51). The proteins have been classified into three main departments:(1) Simple proteins, such as albumin and gluten, and albuminoids forming connective tissue, cartilage, etc. (2) Conjugated proteins, forming nucleoproteins, hemoglobins, etc. (3) Derived proteins, whose condition is a result of further chemical change by the enzymes of the digestive juices, etc. The mere mention of these complex elements goes to show their immense importance in the economy of the body. It is the nitrogen which gives character to all these, and whose presence is so manifest, as we shall see, in the parts eliminated from the body, after the work of anabolism, or construction, is complete. We may say, indeed, that the beneficent value of an element in constructive work is commensurate only with its deleterious effects after its work is completed. The nitrogen which has served its purpose in building up the tissues, enriching the blood, etc., must be eliminated as urea, etc., or most dangerous toxic results will ensue. In other words, there is a danger to the soul of failure to assimilate and then eliminate the effects of precious truths as to ,Christ which are gathered for our food from the Word of God.
But this must at once be further explained-we must ever distinguish between the perfect objective truths of the Scriptures, and the effects of these truths in us subjectively. This will come before us in greater detail when we treat of digestion and assimilation. We need only remind our readers that hoarded manna (Exod. 16:20) "bred worms and stank," to show what we mean. The more precious the truth, the greater the necessity for our feeding upon it fresh day by day. A failure to eliminate the used nitrogen from the system results in uraemia, a fatal form of auto-intoxication.
We speak next of the fats, which are necessary in the formation of cells, especially in the nervous tissues, in sustaining all vital processes by their production of heat, and in protecting all vital organs, in a physical way. Both in the language of daily life, which is also that of Scripture, and in scientific research, fat in normal quantities is the product and the evidence of health. Abel offered the fat, the best, of his flock (Gen. 4:4); Pharaoh saw fat kine, the good ones, in his dream (Gen. 41:4). The fat of the sacrifices, as the best, was always offered to God (Lev. 3:16). A fat land was fertile (Num. 13:20). As suggesting human strength and energy, it was too often connected with pride, self-sufficiency and rebellion (Deut. 32:IS; Ps. 17:10; 78:7). It was also the outward indication of a healthy spiritual condition (Dan. 1:15). It also is used exclusively of spiritual prosperity (Ps. 92:14; Isa. 55:2). These, with many other references, will show the spiritual significance of fat. Its three main constituents are stearin, palmitin and olein.* *Hammarsten's Physiological Chemistry, pp. 227, etc.* *Stearin, as its name suggests, is the solid-forming element in tallow, as well as occurring in vegetable fats. *Stearin C.78% H.12% O.10%.* It is the hardest and most insoluble of the three. It may therefore stand for that element of firmness which is essential in all true spiritual prosperity, otherwise it would cause softness and weakness.
Palmitin is predominant in human fat. One of its prominent characteristics is its crystallizing in needle-like points. It also is solid, and suggests, perhaps, even a more intelligent stability than stearin.
Olein, as its name imports, is the least stable but most oil-like of all the fats. It is largely present in the fat of hogs, and points to that amorphous nature which so easily develops into self-indulgence and the lower passions. King Eglon would illustrate this (Judg. 3:17, etc.). And yet a proper amount of olein is essential to health, yielding itself more readily to the varied needs of the body than perhaps the two other kinds. It would thus promote general lubricity, and even nerve nutrition. How true it is that a certain amount of spiritual joy is essential to the well-being of the saint, or the Assembly. How this relieves "friction" and stimulates various activities. And yet how easily does joy assume a predominance in the things of God which weakens the spiritual fibre. It passes into a form of sensual pleasure, and from that can degenerate into carnal excesses, which have at times been only too marked in the professing Church.
Of the fats in general it may be said that they are marked by the absence of nitrogen. Thus they are separated from the albumins, and do not have directly, we might say, the place of organic necessity held by the nitrogenous elements. Nitrogen, as we have seen, is a type of divine judgment, which is held in check by divine patience. The absence of nitrogen from fats may thus suggest the absence, or lack of prominence, of the spirit of self-judgment in the joy which of itself is proper and necessary, but which needs checks to prevent its overstepping its bounds. We do not ordinarily have an excess of bone, or organic and muscular tissue; but fat easily gains a preponderating place in the body, and must be kept down by self-denial and exercise. All this is of easy spiritual interpretation.
If nitrogen is absent from the fats, carbon is correspondingly present in large amount; but it is not as an organizer that it is so present, rather as in store to be used in further oxidation in the body. Fat is thus potential heat and energy stored up for special need. Happy is it for us when our spiritual prosperity and joy are kept, as it were, as a store laid up against a time of trial. Like the corn and cattle in Pharaoh's dream, it is laid up for the time of distress. Is not this often seen in the history of individuals, as well as companies of saints? They have a season of joy and spiritual prosperity, and this in turn is followed by the time of stress. It is at such times that it is manifest whether we have used our privileges to build ourselves up, or to grow careless and lethargic. But we must not anticipate.
Closely connected with the fats are the lipoids, or fat-like substances. These differ from the fats in having an element of nitrogen in them, and are found in the nervous tissues. We have already intimated the spiritual significance of this presence of nitrogen. Lecithin, one of the lipoids, is particularly prominent in the brain and nerves. It is particularly noteworthy as being the only organic combination in the body containing phosphorus (Dalton's Physiology, p. 106). From its excessive sensitiveness to heat, phosphorus has a character peculiar to itself. Belonging to the nitrogen group with atomic weight nearest to sulphur, the character of the great supporter of combustion is seen laying hold upon it, tending as it does to instant combination with oxygen (Remsen's Chemistry). The presence of phosphorus in lecithin seems to show its connection with protein. While not actually a part of the protein it is closely united to it by the lecithin, which is sometimes called "phosphorized fat."(Walker's Physiology, pp. 6, 596) It has also been held by some authorities that the lipoids are found as a kind of boundary to the cell. (Hammarsten, pp. 20, 21) This if correct would comprise what has just been said of the mediating character of this near approach to a proximate principle.
The special meaning of all this is interesting. Phosphorus, necessary as it is to brain and nerve energy, cannot be in too immediate union with protoplasm, or its oxidizing would injure the tissue. It is therefore present, held in check, we may say, as the oxygen is by the nitrogen of the air, and thus producing beneficial results. How perfectly has our gracious God tempered together the spiritual elements of the new man that nothing act unduly! May we not, speaking in all reverence, see something of this energy of the phosphorus in our blessed Lord? It did not lead Him to throw Himself into needless danger. He would not cast Himself down from the summit of the temple, nor would He, even in response to His brethren's taunt, thrust Himself publicly before the leaders until the right time (John?:1-17). Their poor little enthusiasm might lead them into excesses-"Your time is always ready"-but He held in check the very zeal which was a fire in His bones (Jer. 20:9)-phosphorus-until His hour had come. The result was not the extravagances of an unbalanced fanatic, but the resistless energy of one who had set His face like a flint (Isa. 50:7; Luke 9:51).
As illustrating the spirit of his Lord and Master, we might mark the energy of Paul in his last journey to Jerusalem. Brethren seek to dissuade him in vain:"What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). Indeed, so intent was his zeal that some have thought there was possibly a failure on his part to heed the witness of the Holy Spirit and His direct prohibition (Acts 20:23; 21:4). But we are slow to sit in judgment upon a zeal which burns with such ardent desire to glorify his Lord and win his brethren.
But in Peter we find a lack of this tempering, and his zeal runs beyond his faith and burns out all too quickly before the "fire of coals" at which he seated himself with his Lord's enemies. Beautifully does the phosphorus resume its normal place at the other fire by the Sea of Tiberias:"Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee." Speaking in the language of daily life, we might say these were examples respectively of his "losing his nerve" and regaining it.
Coming lastly to the carbohydrates, we will not dwell at length upon them, reserving much of what might be said until we speak of food and digestion; for it is as forming part of the food elements in the body that the carbohydrates have their importance. Our present theme being the component parts of the body, we confine ourselves to this mention of what must come largely before us later on.
S. R.
(To be continued.)