166 On tlie Spontaneous Combustion of the Human Body. 



7. Water, so far from extinguishing the flame, seems to 

 render it more active ; and after the flame has disappeared, the 

 intimate combustion continues to be eflbcted. 



8. Spontaneous combustions have appeared more frequently 

 in winter than in summer. 



9. No remedy has been found for general combustion, but 

 only for pai'tial. 



10. Those who undergo spontaneous combustion, are the prey 

 of a violent internal heat. 



11. Spontaneous combustion developes itself suddenly, and 

 consumes the body in a few hours. 



12. The parts of the body which are not consumed by it, are 

 attacked with sphacelus. 



13. In individuals affected by spontaneous combustion, there 

 supervenes a putrid deterioration, which presently brings on 

 gangrene. 



14. The residuum of spontaneous combustion consists of greasy 

 ashes, and an unctuous soot, both having a fetid odour, which 

 diff'uses itself equally through the apartment, impregnating the 

 furniture, and extending to a great distance. 



The author then explains the two theories of combustion be- 

 tween which the learned world is at present divided ; Lavoisier's, 

 and that lately proposed by Berzelius. He then gives an ac- 

 count of the theories proposed for the explanation of the pheno- 

 menon in question. 



Most authors, who have spoken of spontaneous combustions, 

 have imagined they discovered an intimate relation between their 

 manifestation and the immoderate use of spirituous liquors in 

 the individuals attacked. They suppose that these liquors, be- 

 ing continually in contact with the stomach, penetrate through 

 the tissues, and fill them up to saturation, in such a manner that 

 the approach of a burning body is sufficient to induce combus- 

 tion in them. 



M. Julia Fontenelle does not consider this explanation satis- 

 factory. He founds his opinion, 1st, On the circumstance that 

 there is no proof of this alleged saturation of the organs in per- 

 sons addicted to the use of spirits ; 2dly, On the circumstance 

 that this saturation itself would not suffice to render the body 

 combustible, — and, to demonstrate this assertion, he gives the 



