LANCASHIRE VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 213 
the muscle contracted and lifted a lever, the point of which 
made a mark upon a sheet of paper. The curve drawn by the 
lower point was a permanent record of the act of contraction, 
and a study of it brought to light very important facts. Thus, 
the muscle did not enter into contraction the very instant of the 
application of the electrical stimulus, but a “ brief interval 
elapsed, called the latent period/ - ’ between stimulation and con¬ 
traction. 
He further illustrated the graphic method as applied to those 
parts of physiology more closely connected with modern practice, 
viz. to the physiology of the circulation. He described the 
methods of accurately estimating and recording the blood pres¬ 
sure, which was devised by Hales, Poissenille, and Ludwig, and 
exhibited the hymographion of Ludwig. He also exhibited the 
sphygmograph for recording the movements of the pulse in 
man, and explained the nature of the curves which are obtained 
by means of it. He described the cardiograph for recording 
the movements of the heart against the chest-wall, and took a 
tracing by applying the instrument to the chest-wall of a small 
dog. In order to explain the meaning of the tracing, Professor 
Gamgee described the experiments of Marey and Chaveau with the 
horse’s heart, in which flexible india-rubber bags were passed down 
the veins and arteries into the auricle and ventricle of the heart. 
Each bag was provided with a tub®, connected with a drum, 
supporting a lever. When the auricle or ventricle contracted 
the bag in its interior was squeezed, and the air in the drum 
connected with it was expressed. Thus the lever was raised, 
and by an appliance, like that described in the experiment with 
the frog’s muscle, was made to write upon a paper surface. 
The Professor explained at great length those experiments 
to the edification and pleasure of all present. A cordial vote 
of thanks was accorded him, and he very kindly promised at some 
future date to read another paper. 
Mr. W. A. Taylor then proposed Mr. W. Dacre as president 
for the ensuing year. Seconded by Mr. John Lawson, and 
carried unanimously. 
Mr. Dacre said—In accepting the office of president of this 
association, I do so with very great pleasure. For some years 
I have taken the deepest interest in it, and I have endeavoured 
to make the society one of use to us. I have always tried, with 
the secretary, to get papers read which were practical, and upon 
which we could have a discussion which would be of lastihg 
benefit to us. I just rise with these few words to thank you 
most sincerely, and I give you my word that the honour and 
success of this of this society shall not fail in my hands if I have 
your support in my term of office. 
