ENDOCARDIAC PRESSURE 



165 



of the auricle, indicated by the marked curve at A in the first tracing, causes 

 a slight increase of pressure in the ventricle which is shown at A r in the second 

 tracing, and produces also a slight impulse, which is indicated by A" in the 

 third tracing. The closure of the semilunar valves causes a momentarily 

 increased pressure in the ventricle at D', affects the pressure in the auricle D, 

 and is also shown in the tracing of the cardiac impulse D". 



The large curve of the ventricular and the impulse tracings, between 

 A' and Z>', and A" and D", are caused by the ventricular contraction, while 

 the smaller undulations, between B and C, B f and C', B" and C", are caused 



FIG. 163. 'Apparatus for Recording the Endocardiac Pressure. (Rolleston.) 



by the vibrations consequent on the tightening and closure of the auriculo- 

 ventricular valves. 



It seems by no means certain that Marey's curves properly represent 

 the variations in intraventricular pressure. Objection has been taken to 

 his method of investigation: First, because his tambour arrangement does 

 not admit of both positive and negative pressure being simultaneously re- 

 corded; second, because the method is applicable only to large animals, 

 such as the horse; third, because the intraventricular changes of pressure 

 are communicated to the recording tambour by a long elastic column of air; 

 and fourth, because the tambour arrangement has a tendency to record 

 inertia vibrations. H. D. Rolleston, who has pointed out the above im- 

 perfections of Marey's method, has reinvestigated the subject with a more 

 suitable apparatus. 



