2585. To seize, bite, wound, and kill, is in an animal one and the same act. For, so soon as the food or prey is seized, and consequently wounded, it is drawn deeper into the mouth, and therefore a new grasp and bite is essayed.
2586. Upon this the food is twirled about in the mouth by the muscles, or is chewed, whereby the parts are separated into mechanical atoms.
Poisoning.
2587. Mechanical atoms are, however, not yet dead, because the vital polarity is not extinguished. It is requisite for a dynamic act, which suppresses all galvanism, to operate upon them.
2588. As this act of killing has directly for its object the death of the Organic and that alone, so is it a venenation or process of poisoning. To poison is not merely a chemical act, but one having for its immediate purpose, to separate the connexion of the organic atoms.
2589. The first act performed by the animal is that of poisoning.
2590. Poisoning, as being a direct aggression upon and destruction of life, is a destruction of the galvanic process. Now, the galvanic process is destroyed by suppression, destruction, and separation of its poles. The demolition of poles is a polar equilibration. Poisoning is equilibration of poles on the galvanic organism, or their neutralization.
2591. The primary change of poles is, however, in the blood. Poisoning is a balancing of the blood-poles.
2592. Indifferent blood is no longer blood, but chyle or infusorial primary mass.
2593. The nutritive fluid or chyle is poisoned organic substance. There is no aliment except what is wrought by poison.