Part 19 (1/2)
A. Because it both _concentrates and reflects the heat of the flame_; in consequence of which, the heat is so greatly increased, _that very little carbon escapes unconsumed_.
CHAPTER VI.
ANIMAL HEAT.
Q. _What is the cause of ANIMAL HEAT?_
A. Animal heat is produced _by the combustion of hydrogen and carbon_ in the capillary veins.
Q. _What are CAPILLARY VEINS?_
A. Veins _as small as hairs_ running _all over the body_; so called from the Latin word ”capilla'ris” (_like a hair_).
Q. _Do these CAPILLARY VEINS run all over the human body?_
A. Yes. Whenever blood _flows from a wound_, some _vein_ must be divided; and as you cannot insert a needle into _any part of the body without bringing blood_, therefore these little veins must run _through every part_ of the human frame.
Q. _How do HYDROGEN gas and CARBON get into these very little veins?_
A. The food we eat is _converted into blood_, and blood contains both _hydrogen_ and _carbon_.
Q. _How does COMBUSTION take place in the veins?_
A. The _carbon of the blood_ combines with the _oxygen of the air we breathe_, and forms into _carbonic acid gas_.
Q. _What BECOMES of this CARBONIC ACID GAS formed in the human blood?_
A. Some of it is _thrown off by the breath_; and the rest of it is _absorbed by the blood_, to keep up the animal heat.
Q. _What is the cause of the COMBUSTION of FIRE?_
A. The _carbon of fuel_ unites with the _oxygen of the air_, and forms _carbonic acid gas_.
Q. _What is the cause of the COMBUSTION of a CANDLE or LAMP?_
A. The _carbon of the oil or tallow_ unites with the _oxygen of the air_, and forms _carbonic acid gas_.
Q. _What is the cause of SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION?_