432 fir. Williams on the Practicability of [June, 



surrounding the wounded part, which was quite healed. On 

 making an incision into the discoloured portion, it was found 

 gorged with blood, without any apparent disorganization, and 

 appeared in a fair way of regaining its natural state. A similar 

 spot surrounding the wounded part was observed on the right 

 lung, but smaller ; that wound was also healed, no adhesion or 

 extravasation in either cavity. Absorption must have been very 

 rapid, as a considerable effusion of blood into the left cavity had 

 taken place during the operation. 



Exper. 3. — In the presence of Drs. Jeffreys, Jardine, Nichol- 

 son, and Messrs. Blackburn and Jones. An opening of an inch 

 and a half in length was made between the sixth and seventh 

 ribs on both sides of the thorax, of a middle-sized cur. The air 

 had free ingress during inspiration ; and at each expiration, it 

 rushed out, the lungs frequently protruding, when not prevented 

 by the examinations of the above medical gentlemen. The 

 breathing was much distressed ; the animal was kept on the 

 table for five minutes, after both the openings were made ; when 

 let loose, he walked about, apparently but little affected, the air 

 passing in and out of the cavities. At the expiration of ten 

 minutes from the time he was liberated, the apertures were fully 

 distended, and retained so by applying and pressing a finger at 

 the extremity of each of them, which effectually prevented the 

 ribs from approaching each other; in fact, in my opinion, they 

 were fixed. The death of the animal took place in less than two 

 minutes. To what extent the auxiliary respiratory organs were 

 impeded in their action by the two ribs on each side being 

 retained asunder, I cannot say ; but if they were impeded, and 

 I think it is evident that they were, the death of the animal natu- 

 rally must have been accelerated. 



Exper. 4. — In the presence of the same gentlemen as wit- 

 nessed the latter. A small opening was made into each cavity 

 of the chest of a bull-dog in the intercostal spaces, and a full- 

 sized clyster-pipe introduced into both apertures, which were 

 retained for half an hour in an oblique position, their internal 

 ends pointing towards the upper part of the thorax ; during 

 which time air freely passed inwards and outwards. The animal 

 was occasionally distressed in his breathing, when he would 

 struggle and contract so as to force out as much as possible the 

 air in the bags of the pleuro ; then he would make a quick and 

 full inspiration, by which he was considerably relieved. After 

 regaining his liberty, he seemed but little injured by the ope- 

 rations. 



Exper. 5. — An opening five inches in length was made 

 between the sternum and symphysis pubis into the cavity of the 

 abdomen. The diaphragm appeared tense, and the action of its 

 fibres were visible, but confined, from the very great pressure 

 required to prevent the protrusion of the intestines, ike. The 



