376 Compressed Air and its FhysioJogic(d Effects. [May 25, 



at 300 per cent, of an atm. it produces pneumonia in about 5 hours 

 (Lon-ain Smith, Hill, and Macleod). Bert showed that inhalation of 

 oxygen will hasten the clearance of dissolved nitrogen. A^. Schrotter 

 has recommended deep-sea divers to carry a small cylinder of oxygen 

 and to breathe it for a few minutes before ascending. Now I have 

 found that a cat becomes convulsed in oxygen at 50 lb. in as short a 

 time as 6 minutes. As the size of the animal seems to make no 

 difference to the time of onset, it does not seem safe to employ the 

 suggestion of v. Schrotter. The idea of a diver convulsed at the 

 bottom of the sea is one too homble to contemplate. Any diving 

 apparatus, such as the Fleuss, which is fitted with an oxygen cylinder 

 in place of air pump and pipe, is obviously not safe to use for more 

 than a few minutes at any pressures above 1 atm. 



[L. H.] 



