Physiological observations on the pulsations of the heart, and on its diurnal revolution and excitability / by Dr. Knox.

  • Robert Knox
Date:
[1837?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physiological observations on the pulsations of the heart, and on its diurnal revolution and excitability / by Dr. Knox. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    tion in the number of the pulsation of the heart, independent of any stimulation by food, &c. 4. The excitability of the heart undergoes a daily revolu- tion ; that is, food and exercise most affect the heart's action in the morning and during the forenoon, least in the afternoon, and least of all in the evening. Hence we should infer that the pernicious use of spirituous liquors must be greatly aggra- vated in those who drink before dinner. 5. Sleep does not farther affect the heart's action than by a cessation of all voluntary motion, and by a recumbent position. 6. In weak persons, muscular action excites the action of the heart more powerfully than in strong and healthy individuals; but this does not apply to other stimulants, to wine, for example, or to spirituous liquors. 7. The effects of the position of the body in increasing or di- minishing the number of pulsations is solely attributable to the muscular exertion required to maint.iin the body in the sitting or erect position ; the debility may be measured by altering the po- sition of the person from a recumbent to the sitting or to the erect position. 9. The law of the differential pulse is not universal. There are exceptions to be found even in those in perfect health. It is also possible that there may be some in whom the diurnal re- volutions of the pulse takes place only in consequence of the use of stimulants. But this has not been proved satisfactorily. 10. The most powerful stimulant to the heart's action is mus- cular exertion. The febrile pulse never equals this. 11. The law of relation between the inspiration and pulsation of the heart has been stated by M. Quetelet. PaiHTKD By JOHN sTark, emnborom.
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