BIOLOGY. 275 



very great reduction for a mammal ; dm-ing the periods of rest, the 

 heat reassumes quickly the normal standard; during the process 

 of digestion, the cooling does not occur; hence the custom of eat- 

 ing frequently during tlie ascent. — ComptesEendus, Sept. 20, 1869. 



A NEW METHOD OF EFFECTING ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION. BY 



BENJAMIN HOWARD, M. D. 



"The patient is laid on the gi'ound upon his back, his arms 

 fully extended backward and outward, a firm roll of clothing being 

 placed beneath the false ribs, so as to throw their anterior margin 

 prominently forward. 



'* The tongue being held forward by an assistant, the operator, 

 facing the patient, kneels astride his abdomen, and places both 

 hands so that the balls of the tlmmbs rest upon the anterior mar- 

 gins of the false ribs, the four fingers falHng naturally into four of 

 the lower corresponding intercostal spaces on each side. The 

 elbows of the operator being then planted against his sides, he has 

 but to throw himself forward, using his knees as a pivot, and the 

 entire weight of his trunk is brought to bear upon the patient's 

 false ribs. If, at the same time, the fingers of the operator grasp 

 and squeeze the false ribs toward each other, these combined 

 actions crowd the false ribs upward and inward, producing the 

 greatest possible motion of the diaphragm, and displacement of 

 the contents of the pulmonary air-cells. The operator then sud- 

 denly lets go, and returns to the erect position upon his knees, 

 when both the inrush of air and the natural elasticity of the ribs 

 at this part cause instant return to their normal position. This, 

 repeated with proper rhythm and frequency, constitutes the entire 

 process. 



"This direct method possesses, in my opinion, the following 

 advantages over and above the indirect methods, both of Silvester 

 and of Marshall Hall : — 



'•1st. It is more simple. 



"2d. The degree of compression is felt, and can be regulated 

 by the operator. 



""3d. All the available anatomical means for displaceinent of 

 air in the cavity of the chest are completely used. 



"4th. While the necessary motions are in progress, the tongue 

 may be steadih^ held out, the limbs and entire body be dried and 

 rubbed without interfering with the operator. 



" 5th. No time is lost in superfluous motions. 



" 6th. It is less fatiguing to the operator. 



"7th. It is more quickly taught to a bystander." — Medical 

 Record. 



VACCINATION. 



Dr. Henry Blanc, at the 1869 meeting of the British Associa- 

 tion, read a paper on " Human Vaccine Lymph and Heifer Lymph 

 Compared." 



