EXPERIMENTAL INQUIRY, <fcc. 



CHAR I. 



Animal heat is not in the direct ratio of the quan- 

 tity f oxygen inhaled, but in the inverse ratio 

 of the quantity of blood exposed to this principle. 



I. THE investigation of those laws that regu- 

 late the animal economy is at all times import- 

 ant, as a proper knowledge of these may enable 

 us to support the healthy operations of Nature, 

 or correct their occasional deviations. The sub- 

 ject of heat, from its extensive action and vital 

 influence on animal and vegetative life, demands 

 the closest attention. Many experiments have 

 been performed to elucidate the difficulties which 

 surround this department of science, and cer- 

 tainly much has been done towards removing 

 them ; but it is not presumption to assert that 

 great obscurity still hangs over some of the 

 most essential points. 



II. It can scarcely be denied, that the func- 

 tions of the lungs are instituted for the purpose 



A 



