The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-03
Medical Notes.

Gaping is physiological act, partly
voluntary, the purpose Of which is to
renew the air in the lungs more COM
pletely than is done by ordinary respira-
ton. First there is a slow and deep in
splration followed by an equally pro-
longed and sometimes jerky expiration
Gaping is almost always accompanied
with stretching and extention Of the
limbs as we'll as a greater or lesser
amount of increase of the secretion Of
tears and saliva The separation of the
jaws is always most marked in gaping
and it is wise to moderate it by the will
or by the mind, If one wished to avoid
| dislocating the jaw, not an uncommon
| occurrence as the result Of gaping. IN
such a case the mouth remains open,
the jaw being immovable; the checks are
sunken and the chin projects forward,
the saliva running out, while swallow
ing and talking are almost impossible
To reduce the dislOcation the operator
wraps cloth around both thumbs and
introduces them as far back 2s possible,
one resting against each side OF the jaw.
The fingers grasp the jaw under the
chin, completely encircling it, and the
Jaw is then pushed dowpwards and back
wards Not the least important precau-
ton, as far as the operator is concern
ed, is knowing how to. get the thumbs
out quick enough to avoid being bitten
as the jaws come together with a snap
like a trap.
The most common causes of gaping are
| ennui, fatigue hunger, and need of s,eep,
yet it is often symptomatic of various
diseases. Whenever nature mas need of
Fastening respiration She sprovokeS this
.spasmodic act but it may become NOR
bid act, 1t is often an involuntary
symptom Of difficult digestion and nerv-
Gus dyspepsia; in fact it is the frequent
companion of nervous disorders. In cpl
lepsy it announces the beginning and
the end of a crisis and in hysteria it is
almost as common as hiccough.
Several years ago there was hyster-
ical patent at the Salpetriere, in Paris,
II years of age, who gaped more than
1900 times day, but such cases are
| phenomenal and indicate serious nerv-
Gus disease. In chlorosis and anem:a
gaping is of frequent occurrence but it
is often attributed to laziness. In real
ity in these cases, gaping Is an indica-
ton of poor blood which is in need of
oxygen, nature suggesting gaping as one
method of obta ming an extra supply OF
this vital gas. It is, so to speak, final
appeal to the respiratory system, the
heart throwing off the restraint of the
will-power and calling upon the lungs
for aid.
Imitation too has a great influence in
causing gaping, an influence which ex-
tends even to animals as, for instance,
q dog seeing his master cape VIII usually
cape in his turn. In some cases the inli-
tation Of the opening of the jaws by
slowly opening and closing the fingers.
or a pair OF scissors. viii make a sue
ceptible person cape. and strange to say.
it requires great strength Of will to resist
the temptation to initiate others In gap
ing.
Sometimes it is useful tor induce gaping
either by the method coft, imitation or
auto-suggestion. DR.. NaegRli has demon
strated that gaping is actually beneficial.
If not curative, in certain affections of
the throat. congestion Of the Eustachian
tube accompanied by ear ache and diff
Guilty Of hearing, pharyngitis, etc. Dur
ing the act of gaping there is consider
able movement of extension of all the
muscles Of the pharynx and throat and
these movements, caused by gaping act
as sort of massage Of. the muscles
which are thus stimulated to greater en-
ergy and cause the removal of secre-