146 



CIRCULATING FLUIDS: 



excess of corpuscles^ but which is circulated slowly, develops 

 less heat than blood which contains a smaller proportion of 

 corpuscles, but which is more rapidly circulated, for more 

 oxygen may be consumed in the latter than in the former 

 case. 



The following table, drawn up from the researches of Dumas 

 and Prevost, and amplified by my own observations, affords 

 some interesting data on this point : 



The metamorphosis of the blood, and the general change of 

 matter, lead to still another secondary source of animal heat. 

 It has been shown by Poullet^ that all sohd bodies, organic 

 and inorganic, undergo an elevation of temperature when 

 moistened with different fluids. In organic substances it may 

 amount to from 11° to 18°. Since the act of metamorpliosis 

 is always effected through humid membranes, this source of 

 heat must be regarded as of great importance, even if it be 

 not actually identical Avith the catalytic metamorphosis of the 

 cells themselves. 



Becquerel and Breschet^ have observed, by means of a 

 thermo-electric multiplier, that each contraction of a muscle is 

 accompanied by an increase of temperatm'e, amounting to 



' Annales de Chimie et de Physique, vol. 20, p. 141. 

 2 Annal. des Scicnc. Nat. 1835. 



I 



