270 Historical 



But, he soon adds, we need to know whether this compensation 

 is complete, and whether, after all, there is no loss of oxygen, and 

 whether the hematosis is as normal and perfect as at sea level. I do 

 not think so, for according to the average ratio of 18 respirations for 

 67 heartbeats, the number of heartbeats for 19% respirations should 

 be 67 V2. It is only 65 x /4; therefore there is a loss of 2V4 heartbeats; 

 therefore the circulation is slackening to a certain degree, and the 

 physiological condition is disturbed. 



The rest of the work of M. Cavaroz contains observations tend- 

 ing to prove that on the lofty plateaux the European loses his 

 liveliness and strength, and that if he falls ill, he rapidly passes 

 into a state of prostration. So, in his opinion, perfect acclimatiza- 

 tion is by no means proved. The resemblance between these ideas 

 and those of M. Jourdanet is quite striking. 



However, no one has paid any attention to it, and henceforth 

 authors will speak of no one but Coindet, and we must confess 

 that without exception they will side with him against M. Jourda- 

 net, which proves, among other things, that it is much easier to 

 read conclusions than to discuss a memoir. 



So in the article Air which M. A. Tardieu ln " wrote for the Dic- 

 tionary of Practical Medicine and Surgery, the learned hygienist 

 devotes a page to the study of the physiological effects of rarefied 

 air. It is filled by a rapid review of the ideas of M. Jourdanet and 

 the works of Coindet; I take from it these characteristic lines: 



After what has just been said, we see what we should think of 

 the alleged insufficiency of oxygenation of the blood at high altitudes. 



Moreover, M. Tardieu gives no explanation. 



The article Altitudes which M. Leroy de Mericourt wrote for 

 the Dictionnaire Encyclopcdique two years after deserves the same 

 reproach. But before discussing it, I must say a few words about 

 a very odd book, published in 1863 by Dr. Foley. 109 



When we come to the study of compressed air, we shall have 

 to give a lengthy review of it. We shall see that in the opinion 

 of this physician, the compression exerted by the air plays the 

 principal part: "When one enters the caissons", he says, "he is 

 flattened." He naturally brings the same preoccupation of a me- 

 chanical type to the study of mountain sickness: 



A traveller climbs a mountain. The higher he ascends, the 

 weaker he feels, and the more his subcutaneous veins distend. He 

 finally becomes ill. Why? 



The periphery of his body is no longer compressed. A comparative 

 vacuum has been formed around it. The blood has accumulated 

 there. The brain has therefore failed. The aeronaut has fainted. 

 (P. 63.) 



