442 ROSICRUCIANCOSMO-CONCEPTION
begins.
The same process of consolidation which commenced
with the first visible stage of existence, still continues. The
being passes through the different stages of infancy,
childhood, youth, manhood or womanhood, old age, and at
last comes to the change that is called death.
Each of these stages is characterized by anincreasing
degree of hardness and solidity.
There is a gradual increase in density and firmness of
the bones, tendons, cartilages, ligaments, tissues,
membranes, the coverings and even the very substance of
the stomach, liver, lungs, and other organs. The joints
become rigid and dry. They begin to crack and grate when
they are moved, because the synovial fluid, which oils and
softens them, is diminished in quantity and rendered too
thick and glutinous to serve that purpose.
The heart, the brain, and the entire muscular system,
spinal cord, nerves, eyes, etc., partake of the same
consolidating process, growing more and more rigid.
Millions upon millions of the minute capillary vessels which
ramify and spread like the branches of a tree throughout the
entire body, gradually choke up and change into solid fiber,
no longer pervious to the blood.
The larger blood vessels, both arteries and veins,
indurate, lose their elasticity, grow smaller, and become
incapable of carrying the required amount of blood. The
fluids of the body thicken and become putrid, loaded with
earthy matter. The skin withers and grows wrinkled and dry.
The hair falls off for lack of oil. The teeth decay and drop
out for lack of gelatin. The motor nerves begin to dry up and
the movements of the body become awkward and slow. The
senses fail; the circulation of the blood is retarded; it