Note 40 — APPENDIX, NO. 1.
Reading edition
Blumenbach’s Physiology, Caldwell’s translation, Philadelphia, 1795. § 162. Speaking of the theories of animal heat, “But all these hypotheses are embarrassed with innumerable difficulties; whereas on the other hand the utmost simplicity, and an entire correspondence with the phenomena of nature combine in recommending and confirming that doctrine in which the lungs are considered as the focus or fire place where animal heat is generated, and the deplogisticated part of the air which we breathe as the fuel that supports the vital flame. That justly celebrated character Jo. Mayow sketched out formerly the leading traces and the first great outlines of this doctrine which in our times has been greatly improved, extended and farther elucidated by the labours of the illustrious Crawford.”
Dr. Darwin however is certainly right in supposing that heat is evolved in many other processes of the animal economy, beside inspiration.