4 2a /. / . . $fr> hunter’s Propofals 
^ : From obferi^tiom <and experiments it appears to be 
a law of nature in animal bodies, that the degree of heat- 
fhould bear a proportion to the quantity of life; as life 
is weakened, this proportion requires great accuracy, 
while greater powers of life allow it greater latitudes^;. 
I was led to make thele obfervations by attending to 
perfons who are froft-bitten ; the effect of cold, in this 
infiance, is that of leflening the living principle. The 
powers of addon remain as perfect as ever, and heat is 
the only thing wanting to put thefe powers into action; 
yet this, heat mull at fnit be gradually applied, and pro- 
portioned to the quantity of the living principle; but, as 
life increafes, you may ihcreale the degree of heat. If 
this method, is not obferved, and too great a degree of 
heat is at firii applied, the perfon or part lofes entirely 
the living principle, and mortification enfues. This pro- 
cels invariably takes place with regard to men. The 
fame thing, I am convinced, happens to other animals. 
If an eel, for inftance, is expofed to a degree of cold, 
lufficiently intenfe to benumb him till the remainder of 
life in him is fcarcely perceptible, keep him ftill in a cold 
of about 40°, and this fmali quantity of life will remain 
for a confiderable time without diminution or incrcafe ; 
but, if he is put into about 6o°, the animal will at firft 
fhew llrong figns of returning life, but will die in a few 
minutes. * Nor is this circumftance peculiar to the 
(ih) It is upon tliefc principles that cold air is found of fo much fervicc to 
people who are much reduced by difeafe, as the confluent fmall-pox, fevers, c\c. 
viz. diminifhing heat in prevention to the diminution of life. 
diminution 
