THE BLOOD. 



147 



of the increase of temperature attending the decomposition of 

 organised bodies. l 

 M. Le Canu gives the following analysis of serum : 



The cruor consists of globules ; and Mr. Hewson asserts that 

 they have a nucleus and an enveloping coloured portion." 1 The 

 nucleus is said to be colourless : perhaps about 3^^- of an inch 

 in diameter, and the whole globule nearly one fourth larger.** 

 M. Raspail says, that, though the form and dimensions of the par- 

 ticles are different in different species, and nearly the same in the 

 same individual, they still vary within very narrow limits in in- 

 dividuals, and the dimensions in even the same drop of blood, 

 especially if not examined immediately that the blood is taken 

 from the vessels. In man, he says, they are from T -J^ to ^ of a 

 millimetre, flat and circular. MM. Prevost and Dumas believe 

 that the internal portion is spherical, but the outer or vesicular, as 

 Hewson noticed P, flattened. The inner part, according to these 



1 l. c. 202. 



m Experimental Inquiries, part. 3. p. 16. 1777. 



n On these measurements consult Phil. Trans. 1818. Dr. Young's Medical 

 Literature, p. 571. sqq. Prevost and Dumas, Annales de Chimie, Nov. 1821. 

 Hodgkin and Lister, Ph. Mag. Aug. 1827. Particularly M. Raspail. 



1. c. Hodgkin and Lister find no nucleus. 



P 1. c. p. 8. sq. Hewson says, that dilution with water, or a change towards 



L 4 



