20^ 



CAUSE OF ANIMAL HEAT. 



pletely satisfied, that it was acetous acid; and all my suspi- 

 cions were realized. 

 Conclusions. From the experiments I have related it follows : 

 The distension 1- That the distension experienced by the stomach in 

 6f the stomach cases of indigestion is occasioned by the formation of car- 

 nic acid g^s : bonic acid, arising from a commencement of decomposition, 

 which the nutritive substances taken as food, chiefly when 

 they are of the amylaceous vegetable kind, have undergone, 

 and the heart- 2. That the burning pain which the digestive organ 

 ^j,^jj; experiences, and which sometimes extends to the oesophagus, 



is owing to a quantity of acetous acid, that is formed by the 

 complete disoxigenization of the aliment. 

 8 oz. of ches- 3. That eight ounces of roasted chesnuts produced two 

 nuts produced ounces and six drachms of acetous acid, after having; fer- 



2 A oz or a.rp- 



tous acid. Hiented in the stomach an hour and half. 



Femedy. 4. Finally, that the method of remedying this disagree- 



able sensation, which frequently occurs to persons who have 

 weak stomachs, is to take after a meal ten grains of pow- 

 dered colombo-root, with twelve grains of calcined mag- 

 nesia, mixed together for a single dose. This remedy has 

 constantly succeeded with me. 



VII. 



P« the Cause of Animal Heat, In a Letter from a CorreS" 

 pondent. 



To Mr. NICHOLSON. 

 Sir, 



Qutry respect- JJ'R. Reade in his observations in your last Number, on 



ing animal ^\^q generation of heat in watet by agitation, oflPers a query ; 



*' Whether friction be adequate to account for animal heat." 



Friction ot ^^ ^^^^ ^^' ^^'^'^ ^Y Miction, that which is produced by 



adequate to its the impetus or flow of blood in the arteries, it would appear 



pro action, ^^^^ improbable, that the friction thus produced should be 



capable of supporting animal heat: on the contrarj', I have 



been induced to believe, from analogous experiments, that 



animal heat is produced and supported by gradual combus- 



Owinctocom- '*<^''» produced by the action of the oxigen of the atmos- 



bustionof iron pheric air, which is inhaled by the lungs, on the iron of the 



in the blood. *^ ' j b :> 



blood. 



