34 THE LAWS OF ORGANIC 



CHAP. II. 



The Cause of Animal Heat. 



XL. IN entering upon the investigation of 

 the present subject, I am not insensible to the 

 many difficulties by which it is surrounded. I 

 have not only to contend against the natural in- 

 tricacy or delicacy of the pursuit, but have to 

 oppose my humble opinion against others, which 

 have acquired authority and reverence from the 

 talents and respectability of those, who have trod 

 in the same path ; but, as I am stimulated only 

 by the desire of arriving at truth, opinions, and 

 not individuals, are to be considered. 



The following points are those to which I 

 intend to pay particular attention, and whose 

 correctness I shall attempt to prove : 



1. Animal heat is proportionate to the capacity and ac- 



tivity of the lungs, not understanding by activity the 

 number of respirations, but the number and character 

 of its compounded acts, inspiration and expiration. 



2. This principle is proportionate to the chemical changes 



in the lungs, and the perfection of all other functions 

 is also in the direct ratio to these. 



3. The nervous system has no influence whatever upon the 



generation of animal heat, except in diminishing or 

 retarding those chemical changes on which it depends, 

 by destroying the natural proportions of blood sub- 

 mitted to the action of the air. 



