THE SIMPLE MUSCLE CURVE 



of the load lifted into the height through which it is moved, or w 

 =l7?. In this experiment the load, including the lever, was adjusted 



20 



to be 2 grms. Hence the total work was 2 x -= 1333 grm. mm. 



o 



This work was effected by the muscle in the time -075 sec. Hence 



the mean rate at which the muscle worked during its contraction was 



- . = 178 grm. mm. per sec. 

 075 & * 



The load was not, however, retained at the highest point, but 



pi p» F 3 p* p3 pS F ? p« p9 



A B D 



Fig. 39. — To Illustrate the Meaning of the Curve of Fig. 38. 



was allowed to fall again, and the lever ultimately came to rest at 

 exactly the same level as at the start. Therefore, in falling, the load 

 performed exactly the same amount of work upon the muscle as had 

 been previously performed by the muscle upon the load. Moreover as 

 in this particular example the time occupied in the relaxation happens 

 to be identical with that of the contraction, the mean rate at which it 

 was performed was identical with that of the former. 



The exact meaning of the curve of fig. 38 or of any other curve taken 

 upon the same principle by the graphic method will be rendered very 

 evident by a study of fig. 39. In this figure a b c d is an exact repro- 

 duction of the curve of fig. 38. All measurements along a d represent 



d2 



