more perfect animals, for the incessant generation acquired this addition not in the larger vessels of that heat, without which they can no more but in the extreme texture; and as the acid is exist, than they can live without food, or breathe formed there, we may infer with propriety that without air. The carbonic, however, like all there also the animal heat must be evolved. the other acids, blackens the blood; and when The chemical union of oxygen with carbon is, this is added to the venous circulation, it not probably, the chief cause of animal heat; but only darkens its color, but changes its proper- the evolution of this is not exactly equal in ties, and renders the fluid which contains it so every part of the living body. An extra quanimpure, that it is totally incapable of supporting tity of caloric, for example, is required in the life. It is for this reason that all the more per- lungs, in consequence of the peculiar functious fect animals have a double circulation; and the of these organs; for, from the large quantity of whole of that blood which is rendered impure air which is taken into the chest in cold weather, by the evolution of heat, is immediately sent to it is necessary that the temperature of this air the pulmonary organs, where the blood is puri- should be suddenly raised to 100°, on purpose to fied by the instantaneous removal of the car- enable the oxygen rapidly to remove the acid bonic acid by the oxygen of the air, and becomes from the circulation; there appears, however, to arterial, in consequence of having lost that acid be a peculiar provision for the sudden evolution whieh had been the cause of its impurity and of this extra proportion of heat, which is necesdark color in the venous circulation. sary from the nature of the functions of the pulmonary organs.

and

The opinion that the carbonic acid is formed, not in the lungs, but in the circulating current, was first, I believe, brought forward by La With respect to capacity for caloric, I believe Grange, and afterwards supported by Hassen- that the fact is exactly the reverse of that which fratz. These writers believed, however, that has been stated by Dr. Crawford, and that the the addition of oxygen was the cause of the venous blood has, in reality, a greater capacity arterial color, and that the carbon of the blood for heat than arterial. This has been partly itself combined slowly with the oxygen, and that proved by the experiments of Dr. J. Davy ; this process commenced, even in the large further proofs may still be produced. arteries, as soon as the blood leaves the left side of the heart. To prove this, Hassenfratz enclosed arterial blood in glass tubes, which were then hermetically sealed. It was found that, after a considerable time, the arterial blood became dark; and from this he inferred that the carbon, not of the solids in the extreme texture, but of the blood itself, was the cause of the change from arterial to venous.

When Dr. Wilson Philip passed the galvanic fluid through arterial blood, heat was instantly evolved, and the color was immediately changed from scarlet to black. According to this physiologist, heat is a secretion; and the above experiment has been considered as a proof of the power of the nerves in evolving heat. In this experiment, however, the dark color of the blood was evidently produced by the sudden It is true that dead arterial blood will, in decomposition of the saline matter, and the time, become like venous, whether it be or be sudden evolution of heat was probably produced not exposed to the air; but this depends upon a by the same cause. This increase of heat, it is chemical change, which takes place very slowly, said, could only be produced in arterial blood; and is very unlike that sudden process which and if so, this is one proof that the arterial has occurs in the living body, when the carbon of a less capacity for caloric, and parts with its Animal the old solids attracts the oxygen from the heat more readily than the venous. arterial blood to itself, and in this way instantly heat, however, is not a secretion; for there can evolves heat, and forms the acid in the extreme now be no question of the fact, that the greater texture. Besides, it is very clear that this part of the heat which is evolved in the living change does not take place slowly and equally body, is produced by the union of oxygen with in the whole round of the circulating current; for, as I have stated, the blood is highly arterial in the most minute artery, while even in the smallest vein it is completely venous; consequently, this change only takes place where the arterial circulation ends and the venous com

carbon, just as certainly as that this union is the cause of heat in common combustion. The galvanic fluid may decompose carbonic acid, but it can have no share in generating heat, by producing a chemical union between the two agents by which it is formed. The nervous influence may, as we observe in blushing, indirectly inWe know that there is not one particle of crease the quantity of caloric, by increasing the free carbonic acid in healthy arterial blood; we force of the circulation in the extreme vessels; know also that it exists in the venous, even in or, when caloric is evolved, the nerves may conthat of the smallest veins. From this it is very vey the impression of heat to the brain; but the evident that the venous blood must have nerves, of themselves, can no more produce heat

mences.

than they can cause sound, or give light to the an excess of non-purgative saline matter is taken eye in the midst of darkness.

into the stomach, it is soon followed by thirst, When an alkaline oxide is converted into an heat, and great excitement all over the body, alkaline carbonate, its capacity for caloric is also which continues until the excess be removed by increased. It is also true, that when we apply the secreting organs; or, when we inject a saline heat to a carbonate, so as to expel the acid, the fluid into the veins of an inferior animal, the alkali recovers its original form, and its capacity action of the heart is immediately increased, for caloric is again diminished. When we dis- and an extra proportion of heat is evolved; but solve, for example, the carbonate of soda in of this hereafter. It is also true, that during water, heat is absorbed by the salt, and the fluid severe winters, in the northern parts of America, becomes cold; but when we dissolve an alkaline the farmers can only preserve their sheep, and oxide, heat is immediately evolved, and the tem- other domestic animals, during the extreme perature of the water rises, during the solution, cold, by giving them large quantities of common several degrees higher than it had been before. salt; and, at this period, the natural craving for When carbonic acid is added to the circula- salt is so great, that even the wildest become tion in the extreme texture, the capacity of the perfectly tame to any individual who has once blood for caloric is also increased, and a part of supplied them with this article, and attempt to the heat, which is evolved by the union of the follow him wherever he goes. When supplied oxygen with the carbon, is absorbed by the with this, they are enabled to resist the most venous blood, and retained in a latent form until intense cold, but when it is not given many of the acid is removed in the lungs. The latent heat is then evolved, and this is sufficient, not only to heat the cold air in the chest, but also to raise the temperature of the arterial blood from one to two degrees higher than it had been before. This increase of temperature increases the stimulating power, as well as the fluidity of the arterial blood, and renders it more able to perform its important functions in the living system.

them die. The above circumstance was mentioned to me by some intelligent agriculturists whom I met with in Canada. It is also true, that some wild animals, at certain periods, frequently risk their lives on purpose to drink the water of saline springs, and can scarcely be deterred from this, even by the presence of human beings.

But, independently of animal heat, it is well known that all living animals possess, more or less, an inherent principle which endows them, to a certain degree, with the power of resisting cold. That this power is not merely dependent on the property of evolving caloric, is evident from the fact, that cold-blooded creatures possess this property in a much greater degree than those animals that have warın blood. We may, therefore, infer, that this power is the effect of the vital principle, for it exists in vegetables as well as in the whole of the animal creation; but it is most perfect in the cold-blooded creatures, who are more tenacious of life, and endowed with animal vitality to a much greater degree than the more perfect animals that have warm blood; and, for this reason, they can, without either air or exercise, continue their existence in extreme cold, and live, under circumstances that would be instantly fatal to those that are more perfect, but much less tenacious of life.-Stevens.

The quantity of heat which is evolved in this way depends on the quickness and extent to which the blood is converted from venous to arterial, that is, on the rapidity with which the carbonic acid is removed, and the oxygen is afterwards absorbed into the circulating current. When we expose venous blood in a carbonic atmosphere, the acid of the blood is not removed; there is, of course, no oxygen absorbed, and the blood, under such circumstances, cools nearly as fast as any other fluid of the same consistence; but when we expose it to the air, these changes occur, and it cools more slowly than a common fluid; or when we expose the blood in an atmosphere of pure oxygen, it is instantly and completely changed from venous to arterial, and heat is evolved in proportion to the suddenness and extent of the change. Sir Charles Scudamore exposed two portions of the same blood, under similar circumstances, one to common air and the other to pure oxygen, and, at the end of eight minutes, the temperature of the latter was eight degrees bigher than that of the blood which had been merely exposed to the common air. A large class of invalids-anæmic and nervous It is a fact that when the blood contains an patients are kept in constant distress by cold excess of saline matter, it adds to its stimulating feet. This coldness of the extremities is not a power, increases the force of the circulation, disease of itself, but merely a concomitant of and a greater proportion of heat is evolved than various general derangements of the system. at other periods. We all know also that when A radical cure can only be effected by a removal

COLD FEET.

of the primary difficulty-the cause of this but if you should allow them, avoid lozenges capillary feebleness-but there are some domestic and similar comfits, for they are completely imremedies which are, in a measure, palliative. pregnated with poison. If you put a small lump of Muriate of AmGreen is a bright, beautiful color, and if its monia in a basin of warm water and hold your danger was not generally understood, would be feet in the solution ten or fifteen minutes before equally as popular as red. So much has been retiring, it will often keep them warm till written about this poisonous color, however, morning. Ground mustard used in the same that people have become afraid of it, and generway will warm the feet of some. Capsicum ally forbid sweets of this hue in the family. It sprinkled in the stockings you wear often keeps is possible to produce a passable green with the feet warm. Probably the best plan, is to harmless substances, but the requisite degree of adopt the habit of dipping the feet in cold water brilliancy can not be obtained without the use upon rising in the morning, and wiping dry; of zinc, copper, arsenic, &c. Of course the wise letting some healthy member of the household father and mother will emphatically prohibit rub the feet immediately after, vigorously with green candies in the family. the bare hands. Bathing the feet too frequently in hot water is injurious, and aggravates the very difficulty you are trying to overcome.

CANDIES.

Blue, brown, and some other less pronounced tints, although much less deleterious than yellow and green, should generally be discountenanced, for they are all more or less poisonous.

The white candies are generally flavored with artificial essences, which are in a greater or less degree hurtful. The triumphs of chemistry in There is no use wasting time and paper in the the imitation of fruit flavors are no whit behind advacacy of a total banishment of confectionery its achievements in other more useful directions. from the experiences of childhood. Children- Luckily for incipient humanity, however, these the acurate prototypes of grown up humanity-ethereal compounds are less injurious than the must have, or rather, always do have their coloring material usually employed in painted luxuries, and seasons of dissipation, just as big candies.

folks do. The candies and lollipops of the Upon the whole, the better policy would be to child, are simply replaced in later years by the substitute as far as possible for candies, popcigars, oysters, &c., of the adult. Since the corn, ginger cakes and fruits. But when you abolition of sweet-meats from the nursery is not start out on Christmas eve to buy stocking a practicable thing, any suggestions bearing "goodies," and are determined-as you will beupon necessary precautions in their use, are to buy some sweets, go to the most extensive always timely.

When buying candy for your little ones, always select with reference to its purity. Don't silence your conscience with the reflection that the extra pleasure afforded by appearance, will more than offset the little harm resulting therefrom. You can not measure the mischief possibly resident in a given quantity of highly colored confectionery.

dealer, and call for the purest uncolored candies of which you will take a quarter of a pound without reference to price. Then get three quarters of a pound of sugar kisses and molasses candy and be content on the candy question.

THE PACK.

The brighter colored candies, remember, con- There is no handier nor more useful domestic tain the greatest amount of poison. This state- remedy than the pack, when properly and disment applies particularly to the cheaper kinds. criminately applied. In sore throat, strains, Of all the colors, it happens fortunately that bruises, local rheumatism and all similar disthe most popular one-red, is the least injurious. orders, it is always palliative, and often curative. This is because the harmless red pigments are In the hands of the physician, it is a most cheaper than the poisonous ones, and not valuable auxiliary in many obstinate diseases, because of any scruples on the confectioner's and indeed, often effects a cure for which drugs part. When he wishes to produce a bright get the credit. Its action involves the law, scarlet, he does not hesitate to use mineral reds, known in Medicine, as endosmosis and exosmoanilines, &c.

sis, by which an interchange takes place between the morbid material in the fluids of the tissues, and the pure water contained in the pack.

Yellow ranks about second in popularity, but it far exceeds red in danger. This results from the extensive employment, in its manufacture, A pack consists simply in a piece of linenof such substances as chrome yellow, imitation crash is the best-wrung out of pure soft water yellow, massicotital, &c. It would be better to ex- just so it will not drip, and applied to the clude yellow sweets from your family entirely, affected part. Over this is bound, comfortably

VALUE OF A LARGE SUPPLY OF
FOOD IN NERVOUS DISORDERS.

Among the various therapeutical agents and innumerable drugs advocated and employed for the relief of nervous weakness, and the cure of the disorders which thence arise, it is possible that the unaided effects of food may not in all cases have met with the trial they deserve. Patients thus affected are told to live well and adopt a generous diet, but the generosity of this is usually estimated by the amount of port wine or other alcoholic stimulant, rather than by that of the bread, mutton, or beef.

tight, a piece of flannel of equal dimensions but a sandwich or biscuit, eaten perhaps standand folded into an equal number of thicknesses, ing, and often bolted in so great a hurry that which in both, should be two or three. The digestion is difficult; he tells us that he dare not pack ought to be removed, and the linen take more of a meal in the middle of the day, washed out, as often as it gets dry, except when for he would be rendered unfit for the remainder applied at bed time, in which case it need not be of his work. In the evening, with what appetite removed till morning. Immediately after he may, he eats his dinner, perhaps not before removal, wash the affected part with cold water half-past seven o'clock. Now, granting that his and wipe dry. dinner is amply sufficient, such a man lives on one meal a day with very little besides. These are the persons who can not go on without frequent holiday; nervous by inheritance, they break down because they are insufficiently fed. A holiday, from which they live better, builds them up again for a time, again to break down; often to fall into the condition above-mentioned. Another class among whom we may frequently witness the same result and corresponding symptoms are the clergymen who for various reasons deny themselves an adequate amount of food. Either they fast rigidly, according to the rule and doctrine of the day, often allowing some hours to elapse before they break their fast, or they think that hearty eating is a snare and a Certain chronic invalids who have been their fill while others are in want. Whatever carnal enjoyment, or they hold it sinful to eat brought under my notice, have been lifted out the cause, certain it is that many of the clergy of their former condition of "nervousness" by break down in one or the other of the forms of a large increase in the quantity of their food. nervous disorder already enumerated, and an They have been people suffering from some enlarged dietary is to them a necessity. A vast general neurosis, taking the form of an insanity number of women, for one reason or other take of a low and depressed character, or hypochon- a very small supply of food: some think it undriasis, hysteria, alcoholism, or neuralgia, ladylike to eat heartily; some eat on the sly, and affections closely allied one to another, which when this is not practicable, go without. Many may be witnessed in one form or other in indi- from the lives they lead are doubtless correct in viduals inheriting the same neurotic tempera- saying they can not eat because they have no ment. We may see different members of the appetite. These stay in the house from month same family displaying one insanity, another to month, or never venture beyond the door neuralgia, a third hypochondriasis, while the except in a carriage, because ladies do not walk conversion of one variety to another is a matter in the streets. Others have misgivings on the of every-day observation. score of their digestion. Like many women If we inquire into the past history of nervous who lead sedentary lives, and habituate thempatients, and have the opportunity of learning selves to passing long periods without action of acurately the facts thereof, we often find that the bowels, they suffer greatly from constipation, for a considerable time the supply of daily food which is looked upon as an indication and a has been in no degree adequate to the necessities warning that they ought not to eat. So they of the individual. Here is a common case. A starve themselves, and fancy that if they abstain man somewhat past middle life, but whose years from food it is of little consequence whether do not imply senile decay, becomes unfit for they pass a motion once a week or once a fortbusiness, fidgety, irritable, depressed, or even night. melancholic to the extent of insanity. We hear that he has been a hard-working man of business, always nervous, and very probably an indifferent sleeper. Being most heavy for sleep in the morning, he has risen at the latest moment, and, snatched a mouthful of breakfast, "Whooping cough will never be taken by any has hurried off to catch the train or omnibus, child which has ridden upon a bear. While worried and anxious lest he fail to reach his bear baiting was in fashion, great part of the office at the hour appointed. At lunch-time, if owner's profits arose from the money given by he be really hard-worked, he takes, not a meal, parents whose children he had to ride. The

ANCIENT MEDICAL NOTIONS.

WHOOPING COUGH.

writer knows of cases in which the charm is in their conjunction of animals, as it is possible said to have been effectual." to be. Gentlemen attached to the turf are

"Whooping-cough may be cured by tying a eminently scrupulous and cautious in this hairy caterpillar in a small bag round the child's neck, and as the caterpillar dies the cough goes.'

"For whooping-cough pass the child nine times over the back and under the belly of an

ass.

CURE FOR AGUE.

"Being afflicted two years since with a severe tertian ague, I was solicited, after the usual medical treatment had failed, by a lady, to take as much of the snuff of a candle as would lie on a sixpence, made into an electuary with honey. I complied; and strange to say, a complete cure was effected. Whether the nausea consequent on such an unpleasant remedy had any effect on the spasmodic nature of the malady, I can not say; but the fact is certain, and it is esteemed a sovereign specific by the Norfolk rustics."

Some one else says:-"The benefit derived from the snuff of a candle was owing to a minute quantity of creosote in each dose. Dr. Elliotson tried the same nauseous remedy with partial success at St. Thomas' Hospital, some years since."

respect. Vice of mind-weakness of the muscle -a want of courage and endurance-badness of temper-liability to disease, do each condemn a horse, and exclude him inexorably from the breeding yard. Only the best animals tried and approved in severely contested races, are employed in the production of horses for the turf. More than this, they have got to have pedigree, and come of ancestors of pure racing blood, and distinguished on one or both sides for thoroughbred qualities and great performances. Else they are rejected.

Are men or women bred with this care anywhere in this world? We do not know of a single locality where they are. And yet what comparison of importance is there between the

stock of men and the stock of cattle?

Physical defects of the most frightful kind, moral defects of a repulsive character, constitute too generally no bar whatever to marriage in the United States. Consumption is bred in without a thought-scrofula is perpetuated-gout is unhesitatingly transmitted, while drunkenness is crossed upon sobriety, and hereditary lying and stealing are sent down to a young crop of thieves and dodgers, and meanness, laziness, greediness, silliness, selfishness and vulgarity, are tumbled Monk, Duke of Albemarle, was ill with without hindrance into the common crucible of dropsy, and obtained no relief from his phy- marriage, and received in the inexorable law of sicians. One of his neighbors mentioned to reproduction, as the characteristics of a generahim certain pills sold by "one Sermon," at tion of men and women. Among human beings Bristol. The pills were obtained and tried, and constitutional defects are as transmissible as the Duke found his health apparently restored. they are among horses.

ONE WM. SERMON, M. D., MEETS WITH LUCK.

So are the moral "London, July 17th, 1669.-The 13th inst., defects, and so, thank God, are the moral exMr. William Sermon, the practitioner in physic, cellencies. Yet the great majority of the people who so happily performed that excellent cure of this country act in defiance of this physioupon His Grace, the Duke of Albemarle, was logical law-more probably in ignorance of it. presented to His Majesty in St. James's Park, where he had the honor to kiss His Majesty's hand, and to receive his thanks for that good service."

COUNTRY PATIENTS, AND HYGIENE
OF THE FARM HOUSE.

tion cause them to discard country practice, have but little idea of the difficulties which beset the practitioner whose daily round is from farm to farm, and from one log cabin to another.

"September 9th, 1669.-Advertisement: These are to give notice that William Sermon, Those physicians whose wealth and inclinaDoctor of Physic, a person so eminently famous for his cure of His Grace, the Duke of Albemarle, is removed from Bristol to London, and may be spoken with every day, especially in the forenoon, at his house in West Harding St., in Goldsmith's Rents, near Three Legged Alley, between Fetter Lane and Shoe Lane."-Notes and Queries.

PROPAGATION.

One of the strangest things in this world, is the carelessness with which marriages are contracted. Raisers of milking stock are as careful

It is not that people of the rural districts are afflicted with more malignant forms, or that the type of disease differs from that of the city-it is simply that farmers and country laborers are more ignorant in regard to how to live well, and how to take care of the sick, than those who are more immediately under the influence of those who, from necessity, are compelled to take more interest in sanitary science.

There is no doubt that the manner in which