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due to asphyxia." A number of tracings are adduced by the Hyderabad Commission in
confirmation of these statements, and these we have carefully examined, with results different
from those arrived at by them.
In the first place, in Experiments 103, 119, and 157, quoted in Note 10 of Lancet
Report, we have sudden falls of pressure, and opposite some of these, not all, therei s t h e n o t e
" holding breath". Thus, in 103 (Ludwig), between Fick. 20 and 21, there is a very sudden
fall, at the bottom of which is noted "holding breath". Again, Trace 119, Fick 2, shows a
sudden fall, and in the Ludwig trace we have a similar note. It is the same with 157, Fick 2,
(not Fick 4, as in Report of Commission). But these sudden falls of pressure are not confined
to occasions when the animal holds its breath.
An examination of trace 157 is very instructive in this respect. Soon after the com-
mencement of this tracing there is, as shown in the Ludwig trace, a sudden fall of blood-
pressure, with the note," taking off gag he suddenly held his breath, and pressure fell". There
was then a slight recovery of pressure, a nd trace Fick 2, was taken which starts from a low
pressure, and shows a tracing somewhat like our A.
Further on in the tracing comes Fick 4,
which is very like that of Fick 2, so like that the Commission in their Report have misplaced
the numbers, but the animal is distinctly noted as "struggling, b ut not holding breath". It
is noted, however, that chloroform is being g iven "with
the cap closely applied". If we add
to this that in the cases noted the fall of blood-pressure seems to have been almost simultaneous
with holding the breath, the effect on the heart can hardly be regarded as the result of
asphyxia, as asphyxia is well known to induce reduction of blood - pressure only after a consider
-able time. ( See further on.)
Turning to the experiments referred to in Section 12, where the breathing was art
ificially interrupted, we have been astonished to find that the traces do not bear out the stat
ement of that paragraph. For example, take Experiment No. 150. The following facts are
noted in regard to it. (a) Near the beginning of that race we find that "holding nose and
mouth" produces a distinct fall, not nearly so abrupt or great as in our A, or as in observations
under" holding the breath". (b) Again, at 11·55, pressure has greatly fallen under the i
n - f l u e n c e o f c h l o r o f o r m , w h i c h h a s r e n d e r e d t h e a n i m a l i n s e n s i t i v e , b e f o r e t h e n o s e a n d m o u t h
are stopped; the fall continues, but not with any approach to the rapidity of those previously
mentioned under "holding the breath ". (c) Further on, at 12·5-30, after the animal had
partly recovered, and when chloroform is being given with " lots of air " , and with the animal
"just insensitive, stopping the nose and mouth produces a much more gradual fall than in the
previous two occasions apparently because the animal is less affected by the chloroform. (d)
Again, at 12·9-30, the chloroform is pushed with the cap crammed over the nose, but the res-
piration is not obstructed, and there is a fall similar to that in b . ( e ) S t i l l f u r t h e r o n , a t F i c k
7, we have "mouth and nose closed", but there is scarcely any effect on the blood-pressure and
very little on the pulsation. (f) At Fick 10, chloroform having been stopped a while, holding
mouth and nose produced little effect on the pressure, but distinct slowing of the pulse. After
this the vagi are cut, and the experiment need not be followed further.