Case of Abstinence 119 



which it consisted originally, when in the state of chyle it was in- 

 troduced into the blood. 



When fat is absorbed, as it does not exist in the blood in its 



with that fluid. When the venous blood reaches the lungs, 

 and is exposed to the influence of the air, it parts with its 

 superfluous carbon. By the combination of the carbon with the 

 oxygen of the air, carbonic acid is generated, caloric is evolved, 

 and the venous blood converted into arterial, and consequently 

 again rendered fit for the nutrition of the system. Besides 

 the caloric extricated by the generation of carbonic acid in 

 the lungs, there is more or less, doubtless, evolved in the several 

 new combinations formed in the act of nutrition. When life be- 

 comes feeble, and the system is no longer capable of furnishing 

 matter fit for generating carbonic acid in sufficient quantity, or for 

 nourishing the body properly, animal heat becomes diminished, 

 nutrition is suspended, and life at last departs from the worn out 

 frame. 



following is the sum of our explanation : The water drunk pre- 

 served the blood from acrimony— the fat and other less essential 



parts of the body, were absorbed, carried into the venous system, 

 and thence into the lungs— in the lungs the superfluous carbon of 

 the fat, &c. was discharged, and carbonic acid generated— by the 

 formation of carbonic acid, heat was evolved, and the venous blood 

 converted into arterial. The arterial blood thus renovated, con- 

 veyed nutrition and heat to all parts of the body ; life was for a 

 long time supported, in a great measure, at the expense of the sys- 

 tem itself ; and in proportion as materials fit for nutrition became 

 scanty, all the functions became more and more feeble, until na- 

 ture became exhausted, and life departed. 



The case was very analogous to those of hybernating animals. 

 These, when merely torpid during the winter, and possessing some 

 animal heat, are observed to be much leaner in the spring than at 

 the beginning of winter, when they first become torpid. Bears, 

 for example, in northern regions, are torpid during the cold season,* 

 and though fat at the commencement of the winter, are observed to 

 be lean at the approach of warm weather. The fat is probably ab- 

 sorbed for the purpose of furnishing the carbon necessary for gen- 



