IN THE ANIMAL ORGANISM. 227 



whole of the inspired oxygen is not applied to these 

 transformations ; the greater part serves to convert into 

 gas and vapor all matters which no longer belong to the 

 organism ; and, as formerly mentioned, the combination 

 of the elements of such compounds with the oxygen 

 produces the temperature proper to the animal organism. 



The production of heat and the change of matter are 

 closely related to each other ; but although heat can be 

 produced in the body without any change of matter in 

 living tissues, yet the change of matter cannot be 

 supposed to take place without the cooperation of 

 oxygen. 



According to all the observations hitherto made, 

 neither the expired air, nor the perspiration, nor the 

 urine contains any trace of alcohol, after indulgence in 

 spirituous liquors ; and there can be no doubt that the 

 elements of alcohol combine with oxygen in the body ; 

 that its carbon and hydrogen are given off as carbonic 

 acid and water. 



The oxygen which has accomplished this change 

 must have been taken from the arterial blood ; for we 

 know of no channel, save the circulation of the blood, 

 by which oxygen can penetrate into the interior of the 

 body. 



Owing to its volatility and the ease with which its 

 vapor permeates animal membranes and tissues, alcohol 

 can spread throughout the body in all directions. 



If the power of the elements of alcohol to combine 

 with oxygen were not greater than that of the com- 



