Note 30 — Chapter VII · GENERAL DIFFERENCES OF THE TWO LIVES WITH RESPECT TO VITAL POWER.
F. Gold translation
Even in reasoning according to the hypothesis of Bichat, and admitting the existence of this organic sensibility, it would always be inaccurate to say, that the contraction is uniformly in proportion to the sensation. How is it to be known in fact? Since this sensibility is not transmitted to a common centre, it might very well be excited without our being informed of it by any apparent effect. Sometimes also a very evident contraction would correspond to the slightest excitement.