PHYSIOLOGY IN THE STUDY OF DISEASE 83 



the practical application of his results to mine- 

 rescue work had marked him as the man most 

 likely to be able to determine what was wrong and 

 why it was wrong. 



Since his early studies, other physiologists have 

 joined in the investigations, and we soon learned 

 the cause of the various symptoms, and how best 

 the patient may be tided over the most dangerous 

 period. 



When a man is gassed with chlorine or with 

 phosgene, a gas which yields chlorine when it has 

 reached the lungs, he is generally found propped 

 up, the face is usually of a dark plum colour, the 

 breathing is rapid, deep, and struggling, and frothy 

 fluid is coughed up. The heart is beating rapidly. 

 The veins of the neck and arms are distended. He 

 is restless and distressed, or he may sink into a 

 drowsy condition. In other cases the lips are blue, 

 the face has an ashy pallor, and the respirations are 

 not so markedly increased. The distress is less, 

 but these are the cases most apt to die. 



A knowledge of physiology without any training 

 in medicine explains these symptoms. The dark 

 plum colour of the face is due to the fact that blood 

 not properly supplied with oxygen is coursing in 

 the blood-vessels. We know that blood when 

 properly oxygenated has a bright red colour, giving 

 to the skin its characteristic hue in health. When 

 deprived of oxygen it becomes of a dark purple 



