70 EFFECTS OF 



During the continuance of the artificial respi- 

 ration, the blood in the femoral artery was of a 

 florid red, and that in the femoral vein was of a 

 dark colour, as usual. 



It has been observed by M. Bichat, that the 

 immediate cause of death, when it takes place 

 suddenly, must be the cessation of the functions 

 of the heart, the brain, or the lungs. This ob- 

 servation may be extended to death under all 

 circumstances. The stomach, the liver, the kid- 

 neys, and many other organs are necessary to 

 life, but their constant action is not necessary; 

 and the cessation of their functions cannot there- 

 fore be the immediate cause of death. As in this 

 case the action of the heart had never ceased ; as 

 the circulation of the blood was kept up by ar- 

 tificial respiration for more than an hour and 

 20 minutes after the poison had produced its 

 full effects ; and as during this time the usual 

 changes in the colour of the blood took place in 

 the lungs ; it is evident, that the functions of the 

 heart and lungs were unimpaired : but that those 

 of the brain had ceased, is proved, by the animal 

 having continued in a state of complete insen- 

 sibility, and by this circumstance, that animal 

 heat, to the generation of which I have formerly 

 shown the influence of the brain to be necessary, 

 was not generated. 



Having learned that the circulation might be 

 kept up by artificial respiration for a considerable 

 time after the woorara had produced its full 

 effects, it occurred to me, that in an animal under 



