The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-01
STOPPED HIS HEART.
Medical Student StaFtIes "a Univer-
sity Glass by an Experiment..

medical student having control of the
involuntary muscles of his body was exhibit
ed at the university yesterday. He is capa-
bic of committing suicide at any time by
stopping his heart beating.
Dr. r. o. Beard in charge of the depart
nent of experimental physiology, presented
the subject to the medical students in the am
phitheater of the laboratory of the medical
science building. He was a fine looking
uTes and excellent build, with good muscular
development There a characteristic
paleness about his face that would lead one
to believe that his exhibitions were not pro-
ductive of any good to his physical condi-
ton.
DR.. Beard explained the peculiarities Of the
young medical student, stating that he had
control of the muscular tissues of the CASTRO
intestinal tract. but that this feature would
not be illustrated. Accompanying the remark
was considerable applause from the students.
The first part that the subject took in the
clinic was to show his ability to dilate and
contract the pupils Of the eyes at will There
was very perceptible dilation and contrac-
ttOn of the pupils.
Then. by the use Of the phonendoscope, hav-
ing a number of StethescOpes attached, the
students all listened to the beating of the
heart, which very strong and regular.
The phonendoscOpe is instrument con-
structed the principle Of the telephone,
with thin vulcanite membrane communi-
eating with a cavity above the membrane.
from which the sounds from the heart are
sent out through a number Of stethescOpes
when the membrane is placed over the heart.
II was adapted by DR.. Wilcox a university
Student
Under normal conditions it was found that
his heart was in perfect condition and ex-
ceptiOnally strong.
The spyghmograph, an instrument to record
the beating of the heart through the wrist,
was next brought into application. The rec
ord Is made on a drum, and is called
Bpyghmogram. The mans arm was strapped
IN a stationary position, and a sensitive in
strument attached. which made a perpendic
ular motion through a space about half an
inch, in response to the pulsations. When
DIR. Beard told him to in1ibit, or stop his
heart, he did so for space of seven seconds
at the first attempt, before which his pulse
was lO5, very regular and strong At the
END OF the seven seconds there q slight
muscular twtching, and the pulsations grad
ualIy recovered their natural condition. After
repeated attempts he seemed to gain strength
and attain to more extended accomplishments
In the line
movement of the heart for % seconds, during
which time the patient conversed with those
around him to show that the inhibition was
not due to respiration. After this accom-
plishment a new smoked sheet placed
on the drum of the spyghmograph, some
amy lnitrite placed on the table to slim
ulate the heart in case the experiment was
carried far that the subject would show
signs OF failing to recover, and he tried again
TO accomplish more than at any previous at
tempt. This time for 40 seconds he stood
with no drop of blood within him stirring be-
fore the frightened faces of the medical stu
dents who expected to see him fall but again
there was happy disappointment and great
applause, as the patient. with a shrug of the
shoulders and a twitchng of the head smiled
and the pulsatiOn began again. The only
perceptible change noticed in his features was
his CHASTITY pallor. The blood is supposed to
make the entire circuit of the body in %
seconds so that for the blood to remain per-
fecty at rest for 40 seconds is considered by
medical men to be a wonderful accomplish
ment
At one time this subject effected so long an
inhibition that it took three hours to re-
store him to his normal condition This was
in the University Of Virginia
His power is traceable to the same source
as the other phenomena In the form of a
control of the involuntary muscular fbres
Of the arterial system by virtue of which the
blood pressure is increased to the point of re-
nexiy arrestng the hearts action. The matter
of contro! may be either partial or complete
as the subject desires.