Cold
the term by which is signified a relative want of sensible heat. When the atmosphere, or any substance which comes in contact with our body, is at a lower temperature than the skin, it absorbs heat from it, and we call it cold. The physiological action of cold on the animal organism requires a brief notice.
All animals (the warm-blooded animals to the greatest extent) have a certain power of maintaining the heat of the body, in defiance of external cold. This power is mainly due to a process analogous to combustion, in which carbon and hydrogen taken into the system in food are made to unite with oxygen derived from the air by respiration. If the combustible materials are not duly furnished, or if the supply of oxygen be deficient (as in various diseased conditions), there must be a depression of temperature. Now, if the temperature of a bird or mammal (except in the case of hibernating animals) be lowered about 30° below its normal standard (which in birds ranges from 100° to 112°, and in mammals from 96° to 102°), the death of the animal is the result.
In hibernating animals (the marmot, dormouse, bat, etc.) the power of generating heat within their own bodies is very slight.
Cold is applied in various ways in the treatment of disease. In some forms of fever, a cold bath, or cold wet pack, is the best means of reducing a very high temperature which of itself threatens life.
COLDEN COLENSO an the various manufacturing establishments. It is the seat of the State School for Dependent Children, and has a park, two libraries, a high school, several newspapers, and National banks. Pop. (1910) 5,945; (1920) 6,114.
American scientist and colonial official; born in Dunse, Scotland, Feb. 17, 1688.
He was graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1705, and emigrated to the American colonies in 1708. He devoted himself to botany and astronomy and also to public affairs, becoming surveyor-general of New York and president of the council. He sided with the crown in the contest over the stamp act. Among his correspondents were Franklin and Linnæus, and he wrote "Cause of Gravitation" and "History of the Five Indian Nations." He died on Long Island, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1776.