878 OBSERVATIONS OF GRANVILLE AND EDWARDS. 



The truth of this proposition is proved by the 

 well known fact, that long continued muscular 

 exertion is followed by more or less exhaustion, 

 and by diminished power of enduring cold. For 

 notwithstanding the elevation of temperature thus 

 induced, the absolute amount of caloric in a 

 state of combination with the organs, is reduced 

 below the usual standard ; while it is equally ob- 

 vious, that in proportion as respiration is in- 

 creased during violent exercise, must it be dimi- 

 nished afterwards, for the plain reason, that a 

 large amount of the carbon and hydrogen by 

 which the vital combustion is supported, has been 

 already given off in the lungs.* 



As a further proof that the caloric obtained by 

 respiration, and transferred to the different organs 

 in combination with arterial blood, is forced out 

 and expended during their action, it was ascer- 

 tained by Dr. Granville, that during the violent 

 contractions of the uterus which mark the pro- 

 gress of difficult parturition, its temperature some- 

 times rises to 110, and even 120. Dr. Edwards 



* When respiration has been accelerated for several hours by 

 exercise, it is afterwards proportionally diminished, if not sup- 

 ported by fresh aliment, for the same reason that a pound of fuel 

 is sooner exhausted by a rapid combustion than when the process 

 is moderate. This was experimentally proved by Dr. Prout, who 

 found, that in his own person, the amount of carbonic acid ex- 

 haled was always much diminished by fatigue, abstinence from 

 food, and the depressing emotions, or anxiety of mind. (Annals 

 of Philosophy, vol. ii. pp. 328-43.) 



