Chap. XII. CONTRACTION OF THE PLATYSMA. 301 



gree in lockjaw; sometimes in a marked manner during 

 the insensibility from chloroform. Dr. W. Ogle observed 

 two male patients, suffering from such difficulty in 

 breathing, that the trachea had to be opened, and in both 

 the platysma was strongly contracted. One of these men 

 overheard the conversation of the surgeons surrounding 

 him, and when he was able to speak, declared that he 

 had not been frightened. In some other cases of extreme 

 difficulty of respiration, though not requiring trache- 

 otomy, observed by Drs. Ogle and Langstaff, the platysma 

 was not contracted. 



Mr. J. Wood, who has studied with such care the 

 muscles of the human body, as shown by his various 

 publications, has often seen the platysma contracted in 

 vomiting, nausea, and disgust; also in children and 

 adults under the influence of rage, — for instance, in 

 Irishwomen, quarrelling and brawling together with 

 angry gesticulations. This may possibly have been due 

 to their high and angry tones; for I know a lady, an ex- 

 cellent musician, who, in singing certain high notes, 

 always contracts her platysma. So does a young man, 

 as I have observed, in sounding certain notes on the 

 flute. Mr. J. Wood informs me that he has found the 

 platysma best developed in persons with thick necks and 

 broad shoulders; and that in families inheriting these 

 peculiarities, its development is usually associated with 

 much voluntary power over the homologous oceipito- 

 frontalis muscle, by which the scalp can be moved. 



None of the foregoing cases appear to throw any light 

 on the contraction of the platysma from fear; but it 

 is different, I think, with the following cases. The 

 gentleman before referred to, who can voluntarily act 

 on this muscle only on one side of his neck, is positive 

 that it contracts on both sides whenever he is startled. 

 Evidence has already been given showing that this mus- 



