Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-07-15
HAS A REMARKABLE HEART:
A Minnesota Man Who Can Control its
Action at Will

The medical class of the university
at Minneapolis, Mimi, have been
treated to an exhibition by man who
can stop the action of his heart at will.
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 per-
ceptible dilation and contraction Of
the pupils, says the Minneapolis
journal"
Then, by the use of the phonendo-
scope, having number of stethe-
scopes attached, the students list
ened to the beating of the heart,
which was very strong and regular.
The instrument is constructed
on the principle of the telephone,
with a thin vulcanite membrane
communicating with cavity above
the membrane, from which the
sounds fom the heart are sent out
through number of stethoscopes when
the membrane is placed over the
heart. It was adapted by DR.. Wilcox,
a university student. Under normal
conditions it was found that his heart
was in perfect condition and excep-
tionally strong.
The sphygmograph, an instrument
to record the beating of the heart
through the wrist, was next brought
into application. The record is made
on drum, and is called sphygmo-
gram The mans arm was strapped
in stationary position, and sensi-
tive instrument attached, which made
perpendicular motion through a
space about half an inch, in response
to the pulsation. When DR.. Beard
told him to inhibit, or stop his heart,
he did so for space of seven seconds
at the first attempt, before which his
pulse was 105, very regular and
strong. At the end of seven seconds
there was slight muscular twitchlng,
and the pulsations gradually recovered
their natural condition. After repeat
ed attempts he seemed to gain strength
and attain to more extended accom-
plishments in the line.
At about the ninth attempt there
was no movement Of the heart for
twenty-three seconds, during which
time the patient conversed with those
around him to show that the inhibition
was not due to respiration. After
this accomplishment a new smoked
sheet was placed on the drum OF the
sphygmograph, some amylnitrite was
placed on the table to stimulate the
heart in case the experiment was car
ried so far that the subject would
show signs of failing to recover, and
he tried again to accomplish more than
at any previous attempt.
This time for forty seconds he
stood with no drop of blood within
him stirring before the frightened
faces of the medical students, who ex-
pected to see him fall, but again there
was a happy disappointment and great
applause, as the patient, with shrug
of the shoulder and a twitching 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
tw enty-two seconds, SO that for the
blood to remain perfectly at rest for
FORTY seconds is considered by medical
men to be wonderful accomplish
ment.
At one time this subject effected SO
long an inhibition that it took three
bonrs to restore him to his normal
condition. This was in the Universe
ty of Virginia.
His power is traceable to the same
source as the other phenomena, in the
form of control of the involuntary
muscular fibers of the arterial system
by virtue Of which the blood pressure
is increased to the point of refexibly
arresting the hearts action. The
matter Of control may be either par
tial or complete, as the subject de-