XII. Experiments and observations in an heated room

Abstract

About the middle of January, several gentlemen and myself received an invitation from Dr. George Fordyce, to observe the effects of air heated to a much higher degree than it was formerly thought any living creature could bear. We all rejoiced at the opportunity of being convinced, by our own experience, of the wonderful power with which the animal body is endued, of resisting an heat vastly greater than its own temperature; and our curiosity was not a little excited to observe the circumstances attending this remarkable power. We knew, indeed, that of late several convincing arguments had been adduced, and observations made, to shew the error of the common opinions on this subject; and that Dr. Fordyce had himself proved the mistake of Dr. Boerhaave and most other authors, by supporting many times very high degrees of heat, in the course of a long train of important experiments; with which, and his most philosophical conclusions from them, every lover of science must earnestly wish that he may soon favour the public.