On the different Forms of Breathing. 



107 



servation. He noticed, that if lie thought about the exercise to 

 which he was going to apply his fingers, the maximum power was 

 obtained at the very outset. The reason of this observation is 

 obvious. The exercise of the will caused him to take into his lun^s 

 an increased volume of air, and on that agcount he was the bettar 

 prepared for the exercise the moment it was commenced. 



Professor Ramsay, of University College, kindly consented to 

 submit to the experiment, and others were made on myself and 

 Mr. Floris. These experiments all give the same result, that breath- 

 ing under the influence of the will is a phenomenon attended with 

 an increased volume of air breathed, and a greater volume of car- 

 bonic acid expired. 



The results of these experiments are given in the following 

 table : 



Breathing under the Influence of the Will. 

 Per minute. 



The well known interesting experiment of Professor Mosso, of 

 Turin, might be here recorded, which demonstrates in the most con- 

 clusive manner that the brain, from fatigue, loses its power to excite 

 muscular contraction ; this experiment also favouring the conclusion 

 that brain work is attended with combustion. 



The following is a summary of the present inquiry : 

 There are four distinct forms of breathing, which include every 

 variety of respiration. 



1. Natural breathing in the state of repose. 



2. Forced breathing : a voluntary increased action of the thoraj.c 



