Theories and Experiments 297 



Upper Engadine, whereas the muscles gain a preponderant develop- 

 ment shown by increase of strength and motor capacity .... 



The decrease of the atmospheric pressure causes the acceleration 

 of the heart beats; in myself, I noted an increase varying from 12 to 

 18 in the number of radial pulsations; moreover, the circulation in 

 general is considerably modified, in that there is a strong flow of blood 

 to the periphery; the cutaneous capillaries are turgescent, and the tegu- 

 ments take on a violet red color found in the upper mucous mem- 

 branes, especially those of the mouth and tongue; if the sojourn con- 

 tinues for several weeks, the predominance of the peripheral circu- 

 lation produces a deeper pigmentation of the skin; as this phenomenon 

 is more marked in regions usually exposed to the action of the sun, 

 one might think that this is merely a pigmentation by solar irradia- 

 tion; but the same modification occurs on parts protected by clothing, 

 and its real cause is thereby clearly demonstrated. In a few cases, 

 rarer than one would suppose a priori, instances of slight epistaxis also 

 show the change in the distribution of the blood. 



The constant rush of blood to the periphery keeps the viscera in 

 a state of relative anemia, which, in proportion to its degree, is re- 

 vealed only by favorable phenomena; the cerebro-spinal functions are 

 more active and easy, .the head is free and light, the locomotor power 

 is increased, respiration is noticeably eased, although its mode is greatly 

 changed, as we shall see in an instant. These organic changes awaken 

 in the person who undergoes them the feeling of new strength, which 

 he judges by comparison with his usual condition; he feels well and 

 gay, he has a vim justified by the real increase of his capacity for 

 physical work. (P. 31.) 



The rarefaction of the air at the altitude of Saint Moritz produces 

 in the respiratory function two changes which are the point of de- 

 parture of important modifications. The frequency of the respiration 

 is increased, the average number of my inspirations in Paris, at rest, 

 is 15 per minute; it is 19 to 20 in the Engadine; while it is more 

 frequent, the respiration is deeper, or rather, more ample; the reason 

 is that in this rarified medium a greater capacity and inspiratory ab- 

 sorption are needed to maintain in the pulmonary apparatus the quan- 

 tity of air necessary for the regular execution of the operations of 

 hematosis and metabolism in a state of superactivity. The slight in- 

 crease in the number of inspirations could not produce this result; it 

 can come only from a greater pulmonary expansion, which puts to 

 work certain regions of the lungs which I call lazy, because, under 

 ordinary conditions, they take only a very slight part in the inspira- 

 tory expansion; these regions are the upper parts of the organs. But 

 since the atmospheric pressure is lowered, this more complete partici- 

 pation of the lungs in the inspiratory act necessarily involves an in- 

 crease in action of the muscular forces which control the expansion of 

 the thorax; and this combination of subordinate conditions, all pro- 

 duced by the change in pressure of the respirable medium, results 

 finally in systematic and constant gymnastics of the respiratory appa- 

 ratus, which are kept up without fatigue at the maximum of func- 

 tional activity. 



And thus, by active intervention of the organs of respiration, there 



