412 Dr. F. Semon. On the Position of the 



that a large number of them were examined by both laryngoscopic 

 and direct methods ; the remainder were measured directly. It need 

 hardly be added that all undue traction, pressure, or, in short, any- 

 thing that could possibly tend to disturb the natural ^condition of the 

 parts was carefully avoided. To obviate the objection that the 

 natural condition might have been disturbed by the mere removal of 

 the larynx from the body, prior to the distance in question having 

 been ascertained, I have made some laryngoscopic measurements on 

 dead bodies before the post-mortem was commenced,* and have com- 

 pared the results thus obtained with the laryngoscopic and direct 

 measurements taken afterwards when the larynx had been removed 

 from the body. It was found that the width of the glottis had not 

 been altered by the removal of the larynx. 



I now proceed to quote the results I obtained. 



In a total number of 50 persons whom I have methodically 

 examined with the graduated mirror during quiet respiration, I have 

 only found regular and considerable rhythmical movements eight 

 times. Considerable movements I call all such, in which the excur- 

 sions of the cords influence the width of the glottis during the two 

 phases of respiration to an extent of more than 4 mm. Of the re- 

 maining 42 persons examined, 23 were men, 19 women. In all these 

 cases during quiet respiration the glottis remained either immovably 

 open, or the excursions of the cords were so slight as to easily allow 

 of estimating the average width of the glottis. Subjoined are the 

 results of my experiments, expressed in millimetres, both the apparent 

 and the real size being given in round numbers. 



* I may state here, that, according to repeated examinations of my own, rigor 

 mortis in man exercises no influence upon the width of the cadaveric glottis. 



