MISCELLANY. 
Upon the Therapeutic action of Compressed Air. By M. Tabarie. Ex- 
tracted from a letter addressed to M. Arago. Translated by A. D. 
Chaloner, M. D. — Some time past M. Tabarie pointed out the resources 
which the methodical application of compressed air offers to medicine in 
the treatment of certain diseases, and especially in those which concern 
the organs of respiration. He now confirms his first observations, and 
makes known the results of the new investigations he has undertaken, 
always limiting himself to speak of the influence which the augmentation 
of pressure exercises upon all the constitution (bodily.) This influence 
appears to him to be characterised by two principal circumstances. 
First — Condensed air reacts upon the circulation, by abating it, and at 
the same time that it diminishes the number of the pulsations of the heart, it 
regulates the rythm of them. These phenomena, which are scarcely per- 
ceptible in a normal state of health, become very obvious in cases of in- 
flammatory or febrile diseases, when otherwise, the experimental condi- 
tions are fully answered, and sufficiently sustained. 
Secondly — Condensed air does not influence the general temperature, as 
one richer in oxygen would do, for far from exalting this function, (as some 
have by analogy imagined,) it moderates, and, in certain cases, it even 
weakens it. Not only does the balneum of compressed air, really de- 
velope no unusual heat in the interior of the thorax, but on the contrary it 
tends to produce a general sensation of coldness, even when the tempera- 
ture of the preparation is superior to that without; sometimes this sensa- 
tion even increases with the duration, and the elevation of the degree of 
the balneum. The author attributes to this fact that the workmen who re- 
main a long time, and at great pressure, under a diving bell, are compel- 
led to leave on account of the coldness, which is not consistent with the 
temperature which surrounds them. In conclusion, he insists upon the 
necessity of exercising the compression in a gradual, uniform, and sus- 
tained manner, experience having shown him that sudden transitions ac- 
celerate and disturb the circulation of the blood, instead of moderating it, 
and increase in place of arresting the hemorrhage. 
VOL. VII. — NO. I. 
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