862 Experiments 



out of the apparatus, apparently well, and hides under a piece of 

 furniture. Half an hour later, it is found there paraplegic. The hind 

 legs are stiff, with the claws extruded; they are sensitive, as is the 

 tail, but are no longer under voluntary control. Bloody urine con- 

 taining spermatozoa is drawn from the animal. The anal sphincter 

 is contracted. 



May 24. Same condition; except that the tail and the hindquar- 

 ters are entirely without sensitivity and are relaxed. By pinching a 

 foot, very distinct reflex movements are obtained, which, however, do 

 not pass from one member to the other. 



The bladder is enormously distended by urine containing much 

 blood. 



The anal and vesical sphincters are strongly contracted. 



The animal mews faintly; it is very weak, drags itself along with 

 difficulty by its front feet; rectal temperature 33°. 



Killed by section of the medulla. 



Vesical mucous membrane shows hemorrhages in dots; no blood 

 in the ureters or in the pelvis of the kidneys. Nothing unusual in the 

 lungs, heart, or brain. No hemorrhage or congestion of the spinal 

 cord; but on the level of the last two thoracic and the first two lumbar 

 vertebrae there exists a softening of the spinal cord so advanced that 

 at certain points (last thoracic), the spinal marrow runs like cream. 

 The microscope shows the nervous elements intact, without a trace 

 of bloody effusion. 



Experiment DXXV. June 17. Cat. 



From 12:20 to 1:30, taken to 10 atmospheres. At 1:39, decom- 

 pressed suddenly in 3 minutes. When taken from the apparatus, runs 

 in all directions as if panic-stricken. At 1:48, begins to be paralyzed 

 in the hindquarters; at 1:50, lies on its side, unable to rise. Pupils 

 contracted, the left more than the right; rectal temperature 39.5°; 

 pulse 140, regular; respiratory rate 36, difficult, irregular. Motility 

 and sensitivity completely gone in the hindquarters and the tail. 2 

 o'clock. No respirations; action of the heart still regular. 



Immediate autopsy. Auricles still contract; on pricking the right 

 auricle, frothy blood containing air issues; the left auricle, on the 

 contrary, contains no air. On exposing the spinal marrow, we see in 

 veins of the meninges a great quantity of small air bubbles; these 

 bubbles also issue from the vessels of the spinal marrow when it is 

 cross-sectioned. No sign of hemorrhage or congestion in the cord. 



Experiment DXXVI. June 22. Cat of Experiment DLXVII (placed 

 with the rabbit of DXX). 3:20, began the compression. At 4 o'clock, 

 5V2 atmospheres; the motor stops. Began again at 4:20; at 4:45, 8 

 atmospheres. Current of air maintained under pressure. 



At 4:50, decompression in 3 minutes. The cat leaps out of the 

 apparatus and flees. At 5 o'clock, it is seized by an attack of con- 

 vulsions, with violent struggling which lasts about 5 minutes. During 

 these disordered and indescribable movements, the hindquarters pro- 

 gressively stiffen and become motionless, while the forequarters and 

 the head are prey to the strangest contortions. Repeatedly the animal, 



