332 POISONS, CONTAGIONS, MIASMS. 



of eremacausis which proceeds in that organ ; a 

 certain quantity of the oxygen gas inspired unites 

 with their constituents, and converts their hydro- 

 gen into water, and their carbon into carbonic 

 acid. Part of this latter product (1 or 2 equiva- 

 lents) remains in combination with the alkaline 

 base, forming a salt which suffers no further change 

 by the process of oxidation ; and it is this salt 

 which is separated by the kidneys or liver. 



It is manifest that the presence of these organic 

 salts in the blood must produce a change in the 

 process of respiration. A part of the oxygen in- 

 spired, which usually combines with the constitu- 

 ents of the blood, must, when they are present, 

 combine with their acids, and thus be prevented 

 from performing its usual office. The immediate 

 consequence of this must be the formation of ar- 

 terial blood in less quantity, or in other words, the 

 process of respiration must be retarded. 



Neutral acetates, tartrates, and citrates placed 

 in contact with the air, and at the same time with 

 animal or vegetable bodies in a state of eremacausis, 

 produce exactly the same effects as we have de- 

 scribed them to produce in the lungs. They par- 

 ticipate in the process of decay, and are converted 

 into carbonates just as in the living body. If im- 

 pure solutions of these salts in water are left exposed 

 to the air for any length of time, their acids are 

 gradually decomposed, and at length entirely dis 

 appear. 



