A man in twenty-four hours converts as much as seven…
“A man in twenty-four hours converts as much as seven ounces of carbon into carbonic acid; a milch cow will convert seventy ounces, and a horse seventy-nine ounces, solely by the act of respiration. That is, the horse in twenty-four hours burns seventy-nine ounces of charcoal, or carbon, in his organs of respiration to supply his natural warmth in that time ..., not in a free state, but in a state of combination.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Respiration converts carbon to carbonic acid, showing animals burn carbon for heat.
In simple terms: Animals breathe to turn carbon into heat.
Key Takeaway
Recognize respiration’s role in energy.
Themes
biology
chemistry
physiology
Mood
scientific
analytical
Type
educational
informative
When to use this quote
- animal physiology
- environmental science
- education
Key Concepts
metabolism
energy conversion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does respiration differ across species?
- What limits carbon conversion?
A Different Perspective
Only measures chemical output, not efficiency.