THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE AVIATOR in 



the air was pumped out of it until the barometer stood at 

 only 180 mm., 23 per cent, of the pressure outside: the 

 equivalent of an altitude of 35,000 feet. Throughout the 

 test they were supplied with oxygen from a cylinder 

 through tubes and mouth-pieces. They experienced no 

 discomfort except from flatus: the gases of the stomach 

 and intestine of course expanded nearly five-fold. 



In comparison with this observation is to be placed the 

 recent record ascent by Captain Lang and Lieutenant 

 Blowes in England to a height of 30,500 feet. They were 

 supplied with oxygen apparatus ; but a defect developed 

 in the tube supplying Lieutenant Blowes and he lost con- 

 sciousness. Captain Lang seems to have suffered only 

 from cold. 



From this it might appear that the simplest way to 

 solve the problem of lofty ascents would be by means of 

 oxygen apparatus. The Germans evidently made use of 

 such apparatus, for it was found in the wreck of one of 

 the German planes shot down over London. The British 

 also had such apparatus, but it was difficult to manufac- 

 ture, wasteful in operation, and in other respects left 

 much to be desired. In fact the devising of such appara- 

 tus and its adaptation to the peculiar requirements of the 

 human wearer are a problem which can be solved only 

 by the close cooperation of a physiologist and a mechani- 

 cal engineer. Mr. W. E. Gibbs, of the Bureau of Mines, 

 with whom I had cooperated in developing mine rescue 

 oxygen apparatus, took up this problem and produced a 

 device which should prove valuable. Unfortunately the 

 common tendency to favor ideas and apparatus coming 

 to us from Europe operated against the adoption of the 

 better American device. 



It is doubtful, however, whether any apparatus of this 

 sort will ever quite take the place of physical vigor and 

 capacity to resist oxygen deficiency on the part of the 

 aviator himself. Imagine him, when fighting for his life 

 above the clouds, handicapped by goggles over his eyes. 



