Читать книгу Pharmacologia онлайн

172 страница из 211

But it is known, that the animal temperature is derived from the consumption of oxygen gas by respiration; and, that an increase in that consumption will occasion a greater evolution of caloric in the system, and consequently an increase of temperature in the body, while a diminution in the consumption of oxygen will have an opposite effect. If, then, when the temperature of the body is morbidly increased, we introduce into the stomach substances containing a large proportion of oxygen, especially in a loose state of combination, we may succeed in reducing the general temperature. This we accomplish in part by a vegetable diet, but still more effectually by the free use of the Acids. The vegetable acids in particular, which are found by experience to be the best refrigerants, are readily acted upon by the digestive powers, and assimilated with the food; and as the large quantity of oxygen which they contain is already in a concrete state, little sensible heat can be produced by the combination of that element with the other principles of the food. The nutritious matter which is received into the blood, containing thus a larger proportion of oxygen than usual, will be disposed to abstract less of it from the air in the lungs, and consequently less caloric will be evolved; the temperature of the body will be reduced; and this, again operating as a reduction of stimulus, will lessen the number and force of the contractions of the heart.