ON SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
27 
the lungs, giving that force or beating against the ribs, diaphragm, 
and flanks, that is generally seen and felt, and which often shakes 
the whole frame. 
Why it is generally seen only on the near side, I fancy, must 
be in consequence of spasm only existing usually on one side, and, 
as the one side is only suddenly dilated, so does the air rush in 
in a great measure to that side. Why the spasm should be 
chiefly on the near side I cannot exactly imagine, unless it is 
from the greater contiguity of the stomach, it lying chiefly 
against the diaphragm on that side. During a quick pace the 
diaphragm may be irritated by the stomach, if the latter should 
be in a state of great distention, as the former would not have, 
probably, its free action, although one of its crura is shorter on this 
side, in order to make more room for the stomach. In some cases 
the spasm comes on without scarcely any increase of respiration ; 
but yet, probably, and under some peculiar unknown circum- 
stances, the stomach or intestines may sympathise with and 
irritate the diaphragm. 
A question may be asked, why should the pulse beat so regu- 
larly before or after the spasm of the diaphragm? It would 
seem almost as if the heart was first acted on, through which 
the diaphragm becomes spasmodically affected ; or, on the con- 
trary, the spasm may produce the regularity in the heart’s action. 
At any rate, we often see that there is great connexion between 
the circulatory and respiratory system, and that when one is in- 
creased the other is often so : but these are points that I must leave 
fora more leisure hour to think over, or to some wiser physiologist 
than myself to explain. 
Probably some of those who have recorded cases, have, since 
that time, thought a little on the subject, and will favour us with 
their remarks. 
To one great sporting writer, the justly celebrated Nimrod, are 
we indebted for the fact of having first noticed and laid before 
the public these rather rare and interesting cases, and who, I 
have no doubt, after a lapse of seventeen years, will again be able 
to afford us, out of his inexhaustible mine, other facts and ob- 
servations on the subject. 
I should be particularly obliged if some of our medical friends 
would inform us whether any similar affection exists in the human 
subject. 
To those who have not yet purchased “The Horse and the 
Hound,” by Nimrod, I would strongly recommend them to do so, 
as a more interesting work I have not laid my hands on for some 
time. I have been monthly expecting to see a review of it in your 
journal. 
