West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-06-04
vlv,secrioN.
An OBJECT Lessoa aa ths Movssnents OF
the Hcart.

An Ot1sct Lessoa ou tho MOvofncmta OF
the Heart.
ViviseJtlon Is allowed under certain
restrictions in New York State. Gays tho
Now York Herald, and that paper gives
the following account OF Dr. John Green
Curtis operation on calf to show his
class tho physiology of the hearts &C.
tion;
DIR. Curtis was covered from nook to
knee by gown for protection from
blood stains, and As no waved his hand
- the janitor and his young assistants
no looked not unlike some aneient high
priest awaiting tho victim of sacrifice.
Tho calf had already bccn strapped TO
frame that conformcd closely TO the
shape of his body. This Was mounted
on whcols 10 facilitate its oasy move.
mont In various directions. The other
was given while tho doctor talked, aud
he was frequently interrupted by
plaintivo "bah." or deep sigh from his
victim. lIc hrst performed tracheotomy
nnd then rosortcd To artificial rcspira.
tion, which was dono by applying a
piece Of rubber hose from a stationary
pair OF bollows to the trachcotomy
tube inserted into tho animals wind
pipe, and thus pumping In air, tho
other sponge bciu2 applied 10 tho valve
of the bellows, ethcriklng oil tho air
forced into tho animals lungs.
a triangular section OF tho ribs and
cartilages anl brcast-bono was cut
away and tho parts directly beneath
disscctcd from Il carefully. lloncath
was revealed the sorous sac containing
the heart and the roots OF tho great
arteries. This Is known ns tho peri
cariUm. Tho professor doftly slit
this open from bottom to top with
pair OF scissors, and on opon-
ing IL the heart, with its append
ages, came TO view. Tho motion OF the
heart IA IL beat, sending tho fluid OF lifo
through tho system. was thus shown, its
right side bciug rather darker than tho
left from tho VcnOus character ot tho
blood passing within, whilo tho brill
iantly colsrcd artcrial blood gave tho
left side its higher color.
Observe" said tho professor, that
thc samo action Is taking place In both
sides Of the heart at tho sauo time; the
two vcntriclcs contract and expand at
tho Same moment and tho long axis Of
the organ shortcTs in systolcs and
lengthons slightly In diastolcs. In svs.
N~aN~ 49, NaANNtRt hbVI9 olAH NNiSt III
whilo In diastoio IL untwists again.
Tho circulation OF tho blood ia bost
shown by tho puncturo OF Harvey. This
IN TO push q trochr into the vcntriclcs,
which. IL blood IS passing into IL. Will
squirt IL out jOt aftor Jet in the air." Att
CT giving tho class good chance TO
study tho hOart's movement beat tho
professor plunged q hollow needle or
trocar. about ono-cighth OF an inch in
Giametor, into The left vcntriclc. and jot
after i"t canIe jumping out, driy, n 10y
the prmp-likc action al The organ, thus
showing thak blood was being constant
lY forced onward or kept in circulation
by the contraction Of Tho organ.
To complete the yiyisoction and TO DO
snro that tho animal should not suifor
any pain the professor ard L IL a. sistants
now Openci tho back of tho animals
neck and severed tho mcdulla oblongata
as high az the base of tho skull. The
heart ceased beating Tho victim was
dead. Tho animal had lived over nm
hour with iLs heart exposed. and 30 per-
feet WAS tho yiviscctors skill that the
hearts action did not even seem 10 wenk-
en- in all that time, nor was there tho
slightest sign OF pain.