On some Modifications of Recording Apparatus. 345 



XXVI. On some Modifications of Recording Apparatus for 

 Physiological Purposes. By E. Milne Murray, 

 Esq., M.A., M.B. [Plates XII.-XY.] 



(Read 18th February 1885. ) 



Experimental Physiology depends to such an extent on 

 the graphic method for the record of observations, that it 

 may be said that Ptecording Apparatus is the first item in the 

 furnishing of the laboratory. Accordingly, physiologists and 

 mechanicians have combined to render such apparatus so 

 complete and so well adapted for all purposes, that it would 

 seem little remains to be done in the way of increasing its 

 efficiency. The Kymographion of Ludwig, and even more so 

 the elaborate system devised by the Cambridge Scientific 

 Instrument Company, are, indeed, so complete and perfect in 

 all details, as to render them undoubtedly capable of meeting 

 all demands which could be made on such apparatus. But 

 this very elaboration and perfection of detail has only been 

 obtained at the expense of much labour and skill, and the 

 construction of the apparatus demands the highest proficiency 

 in workmanship. The consequence is, that the cost of such 

 instruments is very great ; and while, of course, there need 

 be no great difficulty in their being provided for a well- 

 endowed laboratory, this cost places them beyond the 

 means of most private workers, and is a serious obstacle to 

 private research. And while we may admit that w^e must 

 look to the workers in regular laboratories undertaking those 

 inquiries demanding the greater amount of time and 

 application, we need not doubt that there are many points of 

 great physiological interest which may readily be investigated 

 by those who have neither by right nor by favour the com- 

 mand of the resources of a public laboratory. But, on the 

 other hand, such attempts are precluded by reason of the 

 grave initial cost of the apparatus demanded. 



With a view, then, of bringing such inquiries more nearly 

 within the limits of private means, I have ventured to 

 describe, in this paper, an apparatus which I have employed 

 for some time, and which I find to answer all purposes of 

 both smoked and continuous paper work. 



