47 



I. Influence of the Temperature of young warm-blooded animals 



on the length of their resistance to Asphyxia. 

 Experiment 1. Nine rabbits of the same brood and aged 

 about two days, were dipped into water at 25 Cent. (77 Fahr.) 

 Two of these animals, No. 1 and No. 2, had the temperature 

 which they generally have when they are in their nest covered 

 by their mother. The others had been cooled by having been 

 exposed to the action of an atmosphere at 10 Cent. (50 Fahr.) 

 No. 3 and No. 4 had been exposed for a quarter of an hour ; 

 No. 5 and No. 6 for three quarters of an hour ; and No. 7, No. 

 8 and No. 9 for an hour and a half. The results are represented 

 in the following table : 



TABLE I.* 



Mean 

 Nos. Temperature of Animals. Duration of Life- Duration of Life- 



1, 35 to 36 Cent. (95 to 97 Fahr.) 10' 1 



2, ditto ditto 14' j 



3, 29 to 30 Cent. (84 to 86 Fahr. 16' 1 



4, ditto ditto 21' j 



5, 23 to 24 Cent. (74 to 75 Fahr.) 20' 1 



6, ditto ditto j 



7, 18 to 19 Cent. (65 to 66 Fahr.) 22' ^) 



8, ditto ditto 29' I 28' 



9, ditto ditto 33' j 



The one that lived shortest (10',) was nearly at 36 Cent. 

 (97 Fahr. ;) the one that lived the longest (33',) was nearly at 

 18 Cent. (65 Fahr.) The difference of temperature being 

 17 or 18 Cent, (about 32 Fahr.) the difference as to the 

 duration of life was 23 minutes that is, nearly two minutes 

 for each diminution of three degrees Fahr. 



The same experiment performed on many breeds of rabbits, 

 has always given very nearly the same results. 



These experiments prove that the temperature of young rab- 

 bits has a decided influence upon the duration of their life, 

 when they are deprived of breathing. I have ascertained that 

 the same thing takes place in cats, dogs, mice, and many species 

 of birds. 



Experiment 2. I dipped into water at the temperature of 25 

 Cent. (77 Fahr.) three bull-dogs. 



* The existence of reflex movements has been used in this experiment 

 and in all the others as the proof of life. 



