FOOD OF ANIMALS. 201 



he has oxygen enough in the blood it finds no fuel to burn ; the 

 latter because, with plenty of fuel there is not enough oxygen in- 

 troduced to consume it. 



Alcohol is also ranked by Licbig among the supporters of respi- 

 ration. Its composition very nearly resembles that of fat, being a 

 compound of carbon with oxygen and nitrogen, the latter being in 

 excess. Its action is two-fold ; it is a supporter of respiration and 

 a special excitant of the nervous system. In the latter mode of 

 [action it is altogether different from any oleaginous compound. 

 As a supporter of respiration its action is exceedingly prompt, 

 from the rapidity with which it is absorbed and from the avidity 

 with which it is burned by the oxygen. In this way it warms the 

 body suddenly, but by exhausting the oxygen of the blood it leaves 

 the system more exposed to the cold than before, unless by active 

 'jxercise the introduction of oxygen is kept up in a degree propor- 

 ionate to its consumption. The blood of drunkards is remarkably 

 )lack, in consequence of being loaded with carbonic acid. 



If we examine the diet adopted by inhabitants of cold and hot 

 liinates, we find it to correspond with th^ principles just laid 

 ■own. In arctic regions where active exercise is necessary in or- 

 'er to resist the cold and to provide food, the diet consists mainly 

 f animal flesh, with a large quantity of fat. Europeans read with 

 stonishment the immense quantities of meat and fish oil consum- 

 d by the Esquimaux, and which are rendered necessary by their 

 3vere climate. Exposed to an atmosphere below zero, imperfect- 

 T protected by their miserable huts, they are compelled to burn 

 le fuel by which their temperature is maintained, within their 

 ivn bodies. Hence too, the avidity with which they seek after, 

 id the impunity with which they bear large quantities of ardent 

 )irits. 



In tropical climates, nature provides abundantly for the wants 

 : men, with littk labor on their part. With this diminished ne- 

 «}ssity for muscular exertion, the temperature of the atmosphere 

 i such as to require little animal heat to be generated, and con- 

 ^quently but little activity of the respiratory functions. Dimin- 

 iied muscular effort is attended with diminished waste in nutri- 

 <)n, and hence a small amount of albuminous matter in the food 

 offices. At the same time the moderate activity of the respira- 

 i'y function renders the more active supporters of respiration, 



VOL. I. NO. II. B 



