224 M. Flourens on Hibernation, Sfc. 



that if is hy the respiration, and by means of modifications 

 which it impresses upon the Junction, that cold acts in lethargy. 

 I now pass, continued M. Flourens, to another order of ex- 

 periments ; and to the curious results which have just been seen, 

 I hasten to add some results more immediately useful. Here 

 the author made reference to his experiments on the influence 

 which cold exercises upon some animals, particularly on birds. 

 It is well known that M. Flourens has drawn from these ex- 

 periments this inference, that the exposure to a prolonged cold 

 is the most powerful of the causes zohich may induce pidmonary 

 consumption, and that, on the contrary, living in a warm place 

 is so powerful a remedy against that disease, that it is of itself 

 sufficient to cure it in all cases where the evil has not reached 

 its highest degree. The author, in mentioning this important 

 result, obtained by his experiments on animals, insisted on the 

 advantage that might be derived, with reference to human pa- 

 thology, from the observation of the diseases of animals. In ani- 

 mals, the various diseases observed in man might be excited and 

 developed, and in them might be studied, in all their phases, 

 and in all their forms, under the action of the most diversified 

 medicines. 



BufFon has said, that, if no animals existed, the nature of 

 man would be still more incomprehensible. This is especially 

 true of the nature of his diseases ; and it would be worthy of a 

 nation which has given the first example of so many other use- 

 ful institutions, to give also that of a truly experimental study 

 of the evils which afflict humanity, and realize the view of the 

 great Baglivi, who, so early as the seventeenth century, demand- 

 ed establishments, in which the diseases of animals might be 

 studied, with the view of throwing light upon, and improving, 

 the study of human diseases. Baglivi added, that from such 

 establishments alone a rapid and continued progress could be en- 

 sured to science. 



To form an idea of all that medicine might one day owe to 

 experiments on animals, we have only to consider what physio- 

 logy already owes to it. Is it not from the experiments of 

 Harvey, Hunter, Haller, Reaumur, Spallanzani and Bichat, 

 that there have resulted the not less wonderful than unexpected 

 discoveries of the circulation of the blood, the course of the 



