20 USEFULNESS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE. 



consequence to our argument, for it is quite certain 

 that had Captain Ganson and his brother possessed 

 the slightest acquaintance with the nature of the at- 

 mosphere, and the relation of its elements to the func- 

 tion of respiration, neither of their lives would ever 

 have been lost in such a way as that described. A 

 constant supply of pure air is indispensable to the 

 formation of proper blood in the lungs, and conse- 

 quently to the preservation of life and the well-being 

 of the whole body ; but formerly, when this con- 

 dition was as little known or regarded as it was by 

 Captain Ganson, many persons were shut up to- 

 gether in small ill-ventilated rooms in schools, jails, 

 and hospitals, and the natural result was a degree 

 of mortality from fevers and other diseases, which, 

 now that the laws of respiration are better known 

 and more attended to, is never heard of. 



From the same hurtful absence of knowledge, a 

 law exists, or lately existed, in France, by which 

 infants must be taken within a very short time after 

 being born to the office of the Maire, if it is wished 

 to have their births registered. But there is another 

 and higher law, made by the Creator, with which 

 this enactment is at variance ; and that law renders 

 the infant incapable of bearing exposure to a low 

 temperature without injury. The consequence is, 

 that in winter, especially in places where the Maire 

 resides at a distance, and where consequently there 

 is much exposure, a greater mortality takes place 

 than is observed among infants placed under more 

 favourable circumstances. Had the nature of the 

 living functions been generally understood by the 

 framers of such a law, it is obvious that it could 

 never have been enacted, for to have done so know- 

 ingly would have been in substance to legalize in- 

 fanticide. 



One additional example may be given. It is well 

 understood among professional men, that in speak- 

 ing singing, and playing on wind-instruments, the 



