American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-03-24

I
rounding atmosphere. Whether the msT,
curry stands 30 degrees below the zero. or
100 above, whether The body is suffering
in the most violent attacks Of fever, or in
q .maton. or the opposite conditions ,ofex-
IRENE eShausiion, and debility, while She
life force continues. the temperature Of the
BODY remains 1t about SO degrees.
We do not Write to establish any def.
nile lhsory, Of this uniformity OF animal
lrrat, or OF the chemical laws by which il
| is elaborated and regulated; It is the result
Of causes. which to our present knowl.
edge and methods Of Investigation, are
inscrutAble,
BY attempting to analyzs the chemieo
vital functions, pbysiologists have been led
into speculaiidhs which have resulted in a
variety oH9pinions. quite opposite to each
other. Tue doctrines Of Lisbig, so ably,
and scientifically wrought out, have, for
the few past years. held cont ollIng in.
auer ce in the scientific world, as well as
in the uuprofesSional mind. He made the
vital functions, ,ssud especially the lungs.
subserve the purpose Of heating furnaces,
in which the cprsumption Of the carbon
and other combSstible materials contained
in the body coming in contact with the OK
ygeu, were burued from which animal beat
was evolved; and that the self regulating
power OF the system, maintained the equi.
librium, of 98 degrees.
II is not our intention, to attack the doc.
trines OF this truly learned physiologist, but
only 10 remark, 10 passing that bis views
are undergoing severe ordeal and viii.
probably, fall before the farther develsop.
merits Of science, as the depths of nature
are further uufolded. I'VE will but Just
briefly alude to facts in regard to the com
bustiOn theory. e
Fats and oils, on account Of the abun-
dan Of carbon which they contain. are
more combustible, shan other parts Of the
solids OF the body. It ought TO follow
therefore, according. to this theory that
vsty fak persons CONTAIN more heat than
lesa oismusclt thk. habits, which are k 6n
to be quite contrary to facts. generally
And further. very cOrpulent persons should
be Gble to endure exposure to extreme
cold, better than than those who are spare,
which it not the case.
In further opposition to this theory OF
professor Leibig. we adduce the following
argument. If bis theory be correct, then,
suets. buttsr, all kinds Of grease and fixed
oils, should constitute healthy diet, and
| would be the proper aliment for inyalids.
and all delicate constitutions. where there
is low grade Of vital action; but on the
contrary physicians find i necessary to
prohibit their use generally, in impaired
healh eH
But is not our task TO combat existing
theories: or TO project new ones; but sim
lply to state factss SO far as they are known.
/ The generation Of animal heat, is then.
beyond all doubt, the result Of the action
ofohemico vital processes. carried on by
the animal functions; or in other words,
they are the Laboratories, in which, calor'
ification takes place, and the heat set free,
and thereby becoming sensible, is the di'
rect result OF chemical action. Not how
ever. that kind Of composition and deeom-
position, which the chemist is able to pro
duce in his laboratory. He can neithe
demonstrate nor initiate them. Thes,
physiological, chemical processes, not ONLY
change the elements OF nutrition in thei
relative proportions. and nature. bit abso
lutely transmute them, sometimes chang
ing one element into several, and severa
into one; and the elm ination of beat is til
constant result Of these changes.
The greatest mystery involved in thi
whole matter, is. the self regulating pow
: els of the system, Of which, the skin is tn
principal organ. by which the exact tenn
perAture is uniformly sustained. Whetbo
the vital actions be active, or tardy, wheth
er much or little hsat is generated, still j
! the standard Of 9S kept up, and the vita
9 spark would die cut, and life become ex
/: tinct, If II vary but few degrees. .ons wa,
. or the other. Herein, is displayed tn
benevolent regard ,and boundless wisdom
Z and power OF the intelligent mind, tha
designed and e4ecutedthe wonders Of ere
alton. 4r
Heat and cold, are but relative terms
Our sensations in this respect are coca
stoned entirely by the amount OF heat car
) ried off by the atmosphere which sur
+ rounds u.s. And this Q nducting power O
the air, is in proportion 10 its temperature
Thus, do we feel cold in winter, anj bo
in simmer, in. proportion, as the tempera
$ ture Of tie atmosdhere is raised, or lower
ed. While the skin, acting as a safety
I valve, preserves the same tempsratur,
within. HT's
The Heated skin oil. fever patient i'm
: parts to the Hand more caloric than it re
ceiyes from II; but this is occasioned b.
the closing up df tho perspiralory vessels
and, as the psrspiration Is th principal a
! gent in carrying OF the super abundance
7 Of animal heat, it results as matte
) Of course, that morbid acoumulation o
Z 1t takes place in the skin, whils at tn
same time, the temperature of the bod,
/ remains at the SAME. or not exceeding on
!. or two degrees higher than in health.
: These general facts In regard to aniins
: heat, are about ell that is important for u
Q to know. When we como TO speak Q
t food and drinks, and other hygenic rule
: and laws. we hops to be able to lay bar
!. the absurdities Of the use Of alcohol
b drinks. Condiments, &c 49,. as aids 0
a digtstion, or to get an increase ofaniiia
: heat, in debilitated and feeble constitu
tions. L. Fl.
: CoSoREss--FUTuRE PsospEcrs. - Con
pIess has adjourned without having effeel