[17] Id. vol. ii. p. 59.
[18] For a full explanation of the nature, importance, and laws of respiration, see the author’s Principles of Physiology, &c. 4th edition, chap. vii.
[19] Cuvier’s Règne Animal, vol. ii. p. 295.
[20] The above descriptions and figure are taken, with slight alterations, from the Treatise on Animal Physiology in the Library of Useful Knowledge.
[21] Principles of Physiology, 4th edition, &c. pp. 142, 192, and 277.
[22] From πνευμων, pneumon, a lung, and γαστηρ, gaster, the stomach, or lung and stomach nerve.
[23] Philosophy of Health, vol. i. p. 80.
[24] Cyclop. Pract. Med. vol. ii. p. 635.
[25] I cannot help thinking that, if St Martin be still alive, which is most likely, the Royal Society would do honour to themselves and render an essential service to science, by using their influence and means to have him brought over to this country and subjected, under the direction of a committee, to such further experiments as may throw light upon a variety of important points which Dr Beaumont, as an individual, had it not in his power adequately to investigate. In throwing out this suggestion, I need scarcely add, that I am far from undervaluing what that gentleman has accomplished, and that I consider it no disparagement to him to say, that he has left some subjects of interest connected with the inquiry still undetermined. Dr Beaumont has done his part too honourably and too well to risk any loss of credit by the subsequent researches of others; and as a case so pre-eminently favourable for carrying on the investigation may never occur again, it is the more necessary to turn it to the best possible account while it is yet time. If funds be wanting for the purpose, it is not unreasonable to suppose that Government would at once grant them, were the request urged by such an influential scientific body as the Royal Society, particularly as a few hundred pounds would suffice. If this suggestion shall ever be acted upon, special care should be taken not to injure St Martin’s health by withdrawing him entirely from his accustomed diet and mode of life, otherwise the whole value of the experiment may be lost—the object being to ascertain the laws and conditions of HEALTHY DIGESTION.
[26] The reader will find the same line of argument most eloquently and successfully pursued by Dr Buckland in his admirable Bridgewater treatise on “Geology considered with reference to Natural Theology,” which appeared subsequently to the first edition of this volume.