34 Animal Heat. 



tissues of the body. All the actions essential to 

 life are carried on at the expense of the materials 

 introduced, and those which are present as ready 

 formed tissue. Their formation and development 

 are attended with the union and disunion of the 

 elements of compounds present, and their waste 

 or decay is likewise attended with the same 

 results. Thus we have a general chemical action, 

 and this accounts for the equal state of tempera- 

 ture throughout the body. 



Under ordinary circumstances the saccharine 

 principles of food are being constantly caused to 

 assume the form of fat, which under passive 

 states, or where little exertion is earned on, is 

 stored up beneath the skin, between muscles and 

 around various organs, giving the animal that 

 appearance of rotundity so much prized when 

 intended for the butcher. 



If an animal in such a condition were caused 

 to exert himself for any length of time, the fat is 

 absorbed and consumed. Its consumption is an 

 essential act, not only in maintaining animal heat 

 for the purposes of warmth, but as an agent 

 which facilitates the decomposition of other 

 bodies intended for the use of the system, in a 

 different manner. Such an animal becomes lean. 

 His muscles are distinctly observed to be well 

 mapped out beneath the skin. The same appear- 

 ance is also brought out by illness or disorder, 

 and is the process generally understood as " wast- 

 ing of the body/' 



