PHYSICAL CHARACTERS. 105 



may be developed more strongly by the addition of a few 

 drops of sulphuric acid, when an odor, peculiar to the animal 

 whose blood we are examining, becomes very distinct. 



Temperature. The temperature of the blood is generally 

 given as 98 to 100 Fahr., but recent experiments have 

 shown that it varies considerably in different parts of the 

 circulatory system, independently of exposure to the refrig- 

 erating influence of the atmosphere. By the use of very 

 delicate registering thermometers, Bernard has succeeded in 

 establishing the following facts with regard to the temperature 

 in various parts of the circulatory system in dogs and sheep : 



1. The blood is warmer in the right than in the left cav- 

 ities of the heart. 



2. It is warmer in the arteries than in the veins, with a 

 few exceptions. 



3. It is generally warmer in the portal vein than in the 

 abdominal aorta, independently of the digestive act. 



4. It is constantly warmer in the hepatic than in the 

 portal veins. 



He found the highest temperature in the blood of the 

 hepatic vein, where it ranged from 101 to 107. In the 

 aorta it ranged from 99 to 105. 



We may assume, then, in general terms, that the tem- 

 perature of the blood in the deeper vessels is from 100 to 

 107 Fahrenheit. 1 



Specific Gravity of the Blood. According to Becquerel 

 and Eodier, who, perhaps, are as high authority as any on 

 this subject, the specific gravity of defibrinated blood is from 

 1055 to 1063. 2 It is somewhat less in the female than in 

 the male. 



1 These facts were taken from the lectures of Bernard, " Sur les Liquides de 

 V Organisme" Paris, 1859, in two volumes. The first volume is devoted to the 

 blood, and the subject of temperature is very thoroughly investigated. 



2 BECQUEREL a.nd RODIER, Traite de Chimie Paihologique, Paris, 1854. 



