1 14 Dr. W. H. Stone on Wind-pressure in the Human Lungs, 



inserted between the lips. When the lips were supported by a 

 cupped mouthpiece, such as is used for brass instruments, a 

 greater height of the column could be obtained. The great 

 majority of untrained persons could not support more than 

 three or four feet of water. It was to be noticed that the lip- 

 muscles invariably gave way long before the expiratory power 

 of the thoracic muscles was exhausted. By pinching the lips 

 round the orifice of the tube with the hand, and thus prevent- 

 ing their yielding, a far higher column of water could be 

 supported. 



The second experiment consisted in introducing a small bent 

 glass tube into the angle of the mouth, connected with a flexible 

 tube passing over the shoulder. It was found that most instru- 

 ments could be played as well with this addition as without it. 

 It obviously established a communication between the cavity of 

 the performer's mouth, and therefore of his thorax, and the 

 pressure-gauge. The following Table was compiled from many 

 observations on some of our principal English musicians. The 

 person experimented on was placed with his back to the gauge, 

 the small tube was inserted in his mouth, and he was directed 

 to sound in succession the chief notes of his instrument. As 

 soon as the tone became full and steady, the position of the 

 water-gauge was noted. A fair " mezzo-forte " note was em- 

 ployed. Of course, by forcing the wind and overblowing the 

 instrument, much greater pressure could be obtained; but those 

 given here were sufficient to produce an average orchestral 

 tone. 



Oboe . . . lower notes 9 inches; highest 17 inches. 



Clarinet 



Bassoon . . 



Horn . . . 



Cornet . . . 



Trumpet 



Euphonium 



Bombardon 



It is to be noticed that the clarinet, in this as in some other 

 respects, differs from its kindred instruments — and also that 

 most of the pressures are small, not exceeding or, indeed, attain- 

 ing the pressure of a fit of sneezing or of coughing. They are 

 therefore very unlikely to injure the lungs, or to produce the 

 emphysema erroneously attributed to them. 



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