APPENDIX. 3 



In page 321, I have stated that the only function imme- 

 diately relieved by paracentesis abdominis, is that of res- 

 piration. Alvine evacuations are sometimes directly pro- 

 moted by the same means. The relief which is given to 

 the function of respiration is obvious, and seldom fails to 

 succeed the operation ; whereas, the intestines are only oc- 

 casionally acted upon in a manifest and beneficial manner 

 by the influence of the same cause. 



In CCCCXXII. several theories have been proposed to 

 explain the various symptoms which are exhibited by those 

 who ascend very lofty mountains. SAUSSURE, who had 

 ascended Mont Blanc, and who had observed the different 

 phenomena of the system consequent on such an exertion, as 

 bleeding from the lungs, an unusually turgid and florid ap- 

 pearance of the body, and a distended state of the blood- 

 vessels, imagines that, owing to the great rarefaction of the 

 air, the usual quantity of oxygen is not inspired, and, con- 

 sequently, the blood does not undergo its usual changes in 

 the lungs. This opinion, as Dr CARSON justly remarks, 

 is incorrect,* as the symptoms are not such as characterize 

 the breathing of air in which there is a deficiency of oxy- 

 gen. There is one observation of SAUSSURE which shows 

 that the explanation which he proposes cannot be consider- 

 ed sound. He says, the difficulty of breathing and faint- 

 ness almost immediately ceased when the individual rested, 

 and as speedily commenced with the exertions which were 

 made to ascend. This phenomenon clearly proves that 

 the rarefaction of the air is not the only cause ; the indi- 

 vidual, when he rested, breathed with his ordinary free- 

 dom, but when muscular action was employed his respir- 

 ation became difficult. The condition of the atmosphere, 

 in both instances, is the same. 



* An Enquiry into the Causes of the Motion of the Blood, p. 197. 



