TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 
97 
That the ordinary atmospheric pressure sustained by the whole body 
averages 15 tons;—that by placing a person in an air-tight bath, with 
provision for breathing the ordinary atmosphere, half a ton or a ton 
can be removed without danger: 
That the abstraction of this elastic compression permits the easier 
expansion of the chest, elicits the blood and animal heat to the sur¬ 
face of the body, opens the pores of the skin, and restores to the 
surface rashes or eruptions which had been suppressed. 
It was therefore submitted, that an agent capable of producing 
such effects is entitled to consideration in treating certain conditions 
of pectoral diseases; in eliciting internal congestions or inflamma¬ 
tions from central organs to the surface; in preventing certain fevers, 
and other complaints arising from obstructions of the cutaneous 
functions; in translating gout and rheumatism from vital organs to 
the limbs; in restoring a due balance of the circulation, and attract¬ 
ing the blood into the superficial veins from the deep-seated arteries. 
A case of a patient was detailed, in which congestion of the brain 
was diverted from the head by inclosing one of the lower extremi¬ 
ties in a rarefying bath, and abstracting about two pounds and a half 
of pressure from each inch of the surface: the influx of the fluids 
was so great, that in two hours the circumference of the limb was 
increased nearly three inches, the vessels of the skin rendered red, 
warm, and turgid, and the head relieved. 
The case of a painter was also adduced, whose right arm had long 
been paralysed and cold from the effects of lead paint. The arm 
was put for two hours into the rarefying case, and afterwards con¬ 
tinued hot and vigorous, so that the man was able to resume his 
work. 
Part second .—As diseases of an opposite nature require opposite 
' remedies, the principle of rarefaction is reversed in certain cases, 
and condensation , or additional pressure, employed. 
This part of the paper detailed several cases illustrative of the powers 
of this agent. Where there w r as too much vascularity of parts, then 
local pressure, pumped under an air-tight covering, emptied the vessels, 
propelling onwards the overflow of blood contained in the veins, and 
preventing its undue influx by the arteries. 
The consequences were, to diminish inflammations, dissipate tu¬ 
mours and w r hite swellings, facilitate the reduction of hernia and other 
protrusions, and to diminish the influx of fluids into indurated 
breasts or enlarged glands. 
The author adduced a very interesting case, the reduction of a 
prolapsus ani by atmospheric pressure, without touching or bruising 
the sensitive intestine. 
The powers of condensation of air were then alluded to, for the 
treatment of fungous sores or ulcers, and for the suppression of 
uterine haemorrhages, as well as bleeding from wounds or lacera¬ 
tions. 
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