140 ON RESPIRATION. 



proved; particularly from having always observed, when 

 mice are put into this gas, the greatest decrease is always 

 in the first few minutes. A 1 . id that neither by analogy nor 

 not converted experiment have we any right to assume, that the decrease 

 acid 01 " takes place from the condensation occasioned by the con- 



version of the oxig'en and solid carbon into carbonic acid 

 gas, as supposed, by Mr. Ellis. Indeed [ do not think I 

 should again have commented on this subject, but by being 

 forcibly struck with the most singular perversion (I dare 

 not say intended) of one of the celebrated Mons. BichaVs 

 experiments quoted from his work, " Recherches sur la Vie 

 Oxigen ab- et la Mort," the original of which I had an opportunity of 

 sorbedby the seem g f or a sno rt time only, in support of this new theory, 

 and which was intended and does absolutely go to demon- 

 strate the absorption of the oxigen gas by the blood. It was 

 my intention to have repeated this very interesting experi- 

 ment ; but being about to institute others, having some re- 

 lation to it, when opportunity will permit, I have preferred 

 delaying it till that time. Thus stands the quotation in 

 Mr. Ellis's work on Germination, &c. p. 128. " Air, says 

 *' Mr. Bichat, thrown into the vascular system, quickly 

 " brings on agitation, convulsions, and death. (P. 179 of 

 " Mr. B.'s work). By forcing air through the windpipe 

 *' into the lungs with a syringe, and confining it there, he 

 " has made it to enter into the blood vessels, which imme. 

 " diately brings on agitation and exertion in the animal. 

 " And if an artery in the leg or foot be now opened, the 

 " blood will spring out frothy and full of bubbles of air. 

 " If hidrogen gas has been used, the bubbles may be in- 

 " flamed, and when this frothy blood has flowed thirty se- 

 «' eorsids, the actions of life cease, and cannot be again re- 

 " stored, even although fresh air be applied. (P. 303 of 

 " Mr. B.'s work)." 



I regret I have not now by me Mr. B.'s work, and I have 

 not heard of either that or his Anatomie Generale being yet 

 translated. 1 have however now before me a very copious 

 analysis of it, which will be quite sufficient to enable me to 

 point out the application Mons. Bichat intended by the 

 above passages. But first I hope it will not be deemed im- 

 proper, if I depart from the subject for a moment. As an 



enthusiastic 



