Report of experiments on the action of the heart / by C.W. Pennock and E.M. Moore.

  • Pennock, C. W. (Caspar Wistar), 1799-1867.
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of experiments on the action of the heart / by C.W. Pennock and E.M. Moore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    3/18
    / REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS ON THE ACTION OF THE HEART, ETC Impressed with the importance of the experiments to illustrate the heart's action, instituted a few years since by some European physiologists, we had resolved, more than a year past, to repeat them upon the first favourable opportunity. We were the more anxious to perform them, as the subject is one that has received but little attention in this country, and the profession seems scarcely aware of its importance. Circumstances, however, pre- sented us from carrying our designs into effect until a short time since; when upon application to an intelligent victualler in a neighbouring village, every facility was afforded us. We have been assisted by several medical gentlemen ; but to Dr. Hardy, of the Philadelphia Hospital, who aided us in all the experiments, may be mainly attributed their successful results. We were also kindly assisted by Dr. Wood, Resident Physician of Frankford Asylum, Dr. Stille, of Pennsylvania Hospital, and Mr. Burns, of Mobile. Before proceeding to detail the experiments, we may say that the stethoscopes or ear-trumpets used were flexible, constructed of a coil of wire, covered with gum elastic and silk; one, about four feet long, the ear-piece and hollow cone for the reception of sound, being of horn; the other, about two feet long, the ends composed of block-tin, and smaller than the first. This instru- ment is essential to the success of the experiment, as the impulse is so great with the ordinary stethoscope, as to render the analy- is of sound very uncertain. In measuring the heart, the ordinary