PECULIAR SECRETIONS. 379 



Dr FORDYCE'S experiments, the heat of the human body, 

 in a high temperature, speedily reached 100, but expo- 

 sure to 211 did not raise it higher *. The temperature 

 of the dog could be raised no higher than 109, though 

 exposed to 112. The viper, though exposed to a tem- 

 perature of 1085 only had its heat raised to 92 1. Here, 

 then, it is obvious, that the body of a living animal is capa- 

 ble of resisting the influence of a high temperature, and 

 remaining comparatively cool, though exposed to a heating 

 cause. That the body is not kept cool by evaporation, is 

 demonstrated by a variety of circumstances. In Dr FOK- 

 DYCfc's experiments, with his body in heated air, water 

 poured down in streams over his whole surface. But that 

 this water was merely the vapour of the room, condensed 

 by the coldness of his skin, appeared clear, from his having 

 placed a Florence flask filled with water of the same tem- 

 perature with his body, viz. 100, when he observed the 

 vapour in like manner condense upon its surface, and run 

 down the sides in streams. Besides, the cold is generated 



instrument close to the hotest part of my body, and have been astonished to 

 observe, that it has subsided several degrees. Indeed, I never could raise 

 the mercury above 97 with the heat of my body." Phil. Trans. 1758, 

 p. 755. 



* Dr BLAGDKN, who assisted in performing these experiments, observes, ' 

 " Being now in a situation in which our bodies bore a very different rela- 

 tion to the surrounding atmosphere, from that to which we had been accus- 

 tomed, every moment presented a new phenomenon. Whenever we breath- 

 ed on a thermometer, the quicksilver sunk several degrees. Every expira- 

 tion, particularly if made with any degree of violence, gave a very pleasant 

 impression of coolness to our nostrils, scorched just before by the hot air 

 rushing against them when we inspired. In the same manner, our now 

 cold breath agreeably cooled our fingers whenever it reached them. Upon 

 touching my side, it felt cold like a corpse." Phil. Trans. 1 775, p. I J8. 



