Prophylaxis of Sudden Decompression 893 



About 5 o'clock, the gases have completely disappeared from the 

 jugular, the animal raises its head when called by a whistle. The 

 oxygen inhalations are continued until 9 o'clock in the evening. 



December 10. Is no longer completely paralyzed in the hind- 

 quarters; can stand up and drags its feet on the back of its toes when 

 walking. Exaggerated sensitivity in the hind legs. Disposition be- 

 comes bad. 



December 11. Lying down, paralyzed; slight reflex movements of 

 the hindquarters. Very much exaggerated sensitivity in the front 

 legs. Rectal temperature 37.9°. 



December 12. Dies. 



Nothing noteworthy in the thoracic and abdominal viscera. 



No medullary softening. Cross sections of the spinal cord show in 

 the white and the gray substances red dots which diminish progres- 

 sively from the lumbar region to the cervical region. 



Experiment DXCIV. December 11. Dog. 



Compressed to 8 atmospheres. Decompressed very slowly to 7%. 

 Then in 3 minutes to normal pressure; 5:15. 



The animal is withdrawn immediately and given oxygen inhala- 

 tions. 



5:25. Pulse 120; the rectal temperature, which before the experi- 

 ment was 38.5°, is 37.5°. Respiration regular; bubbles of gas are 

 visible in the jugular, which has been exposed. 



5:30. Placed on the floor a moment; is paraplegic. 



5:50. Pulse 90; there have been no gurgles in the heart; no more 

 gas is seen in the jugular; temperature 37.2°. 



6:15. Use of oxygen discontinued; placed on the floor; is no longer 

 paralyzed, and drags the left hind foot on the toes only a little; the 

 hind legs seem insensible. 



It is affected by a peculiarity of movement which makes it turn 

 to the right; its head is bent strongly towards the right, its eyes turn 

 in the same way. It has strong nystagmus and quiverings of the neck 

 muscles. When it wants to walk, it takes many precautions, then at 

 the least obstacle it falls, turning on its right side. 



6:30. Manifest improvement; the hind legs and the tail are sensi- 

 tive; the animal walks much better and appears intelligent. 



6:45. The improvement does not continue; the animal again drags 

 its left foot. 



December 12. More paralyzed than the day before, can hardly 

 walk, and still turns towards the right. 



Stimulus of the hind legs causes energetic reflex movements; but 

 the dog does not seem to notice it. The hind legs, especially the left, 

 are warmer than the others. 



December 14. Still paraplegic, cannot stand up even an instant. 



December 18. Same condition; urinates easily; energetic reflex 

 movements. 



Experiment DXCV. December 13. Dog. 



Taken to 8V 4 atmospheres: decompressed in 3 minutes. Imme- 

 diately, at 3 o'clock, oxygen administered. 



