DE. E. SMITH OH THE ACTIOH 
740 
it may be presumed to be given to the resphation as the result of chemical transforma- 
tions within the body. j • 
Starch and fat maintain the respiration to the minimum line, and only under the m- 
fluence of exertion or of some other respiratory excitant is that amount much exceeded. 
8 Pulsation and respiration, carbonic acid and vapour in the exphed ah, do not 
respectively move in parallel lines. There is a close but not absolutely uniform relation 
between the quantity of air inspired and the carbonic acid exphed. There was almost 
always a parallel movement between them. 
9. Very generally there was an increase in the quantity of carbonic acid in relation 
to the air inspired. _ • -u ^ i 
10. The depth of inspiration was almost always increased; and never with food was 
increased quantity of air inspired, or of carbonic acid expired, due to mcreased rate of 
respiration. The rate usually declined and the depth increased. 
11. In reference to alcohols, it must be remarked— 
a. That alcohol alone was not used in the whole of Peout’s and Viekoedt’s expen- 
ments, but various substances containing alcohol were taken by the former, and white 
wine by the latter. . p ■. ^ ( 
(3. There is the utmost variation in the composition and quality ot the members ot 
this class, so that in reference to wines and spirits, and perhaps alcohol, it would be 
impossible to obtain two precisely similar specimens from different supphes.^ 
y. There is great variation in the habits of men, and therefore of inquiiers in 
reference to their use. Coathupb states that he took one pint of wine at dinner, and 
•occasionally a glass of weak brandy and water at night. Peout states “ that the qum- 
tity I am in the habit of taking is very small.” Mr. Moul and myself scarcely ever ta m 
spirits; and I rarely take wine or ale, but Mr. Moul takes thi-ee glasses of good wine 
daily. 
Our experiments were made when fasting. 
Hence there are many causes for discrepancy in the results of different observers. t 
is in accord with common observation that different members of this class have different 
effects ; and it is not the practice in medicine to substitute alcohol for wine, brandy, or 
ale in the proportion in which it is found in those substances.^ The preference of rum 
to gin, or other spirits, for the use of the navies of all countries is probably, at the present 
day, based more upon their different action than upon their relative cost. 
12. Tea also varies much in quality, and the effect of different weights ot it \aiie3 
much also. These circumst^ces have not been recorded in connexion with preirous 
ItsTowerful, uniform, and rapid excito-respiratory action without increasing pulsation 
and without supplying much carbon, renders it worthy of being more highly regmded 
as a medicinal agent. Its efficient action when cold, and after haimg been iiffiused 
for many hours, and even days, and its accumulative influence with repeated doses, 
increase its value. 
