876 ANIMAL HEAT AUGMENTED BY EXERCISE, 



that he never fully explained any one of the vital 

 functions. 



In regard to the influence of exercise on respi- 

 ration, we are indebted to the celebrated Lavoisier 

 for the first accurate experiments, which were 

 performed on M. Seguin, a vigorous and healthy 

 young man. When surrounded with air at the 

 temperature of 59 F. and at rest, it was found 

 that he consumed at the rate of 1344 cubic inches 

 of oxygen per hour ; but that when he performed 

 the labour of lifting a weight of 15 Ibs. to the 

 height of 613 feet in 15 minutes, he consumed at 

 the rate of 3200 cubic inches of oxygen per hour. 

 It was further ascertained, that after taking a 

 hearty meal of animal and vegetable food, he 

 consumed from 1800 to 1900 cubic inches of 

 oxygen per hour when at rest, during the pro- 

 cess of digestion, and 4600 cubic inches while 

 lifting the above weight, ceteris paribus. (Mem. 

 de 1'Acad. des Sciences, 1789.) 



Thus it would appear, that respiration is aug- 

 mented above 100 per cent, by exercise, beyond 

 what it is in a state of repose ; and that it is in- 

 creased about 40 per cent, after taking a hearty 

 meal. The consequence of which is, that a cor- 

 responding amount of caloric is imparted to the 

 blood, and the temperature of the whole body 

 elevated, as shown by the increased action of 

 the heart, the sensible glow of warmth that is ex- 

 perienced, and the flow of perspiration that fol- 



