XX11 INTRODUCTION. 



immense quantity of sensible heat to the body, 

 a quantity, it is highly probable, sufficient for 

 every organic necessity. 



From this view of the chemical changes in the 

 lungs, it is apparent that the various internal 

 parts of the system will possess, as nearly as pos- 

 sible, the same degree of animal heat. The 

 blood which the left ventricle sends out at one 

 contraction, is calculated to supply the deficien- 

 cies incurred by an equal portion which is re- 

 turned to the right auricle ; and as the whole 

 circle of circulation is completed in two or three 

 minutes, there can scarcely be a perceptible dif- 

 ference in the temperature of the different parts 

 of the system. It is not my intention to give 

 any opinion on certain minute points connected 

 with the chemical theory. Concerning these, 

 the most distinguished chemists are at variance ; 

 and, therefore, it would be presumption in me to 

 offer even a conjecture on subjects to which I 

 have not paid an exclusive attention. The pre- 

 sent volume cannot be considered to contain a 

 complete sketch of the Phenomena of Organic 

 and Animal Life, employing this term agreeably 

 to the division and reasoning of BICHAT, but 



