Experimental rescearches [sic] on the post-mortem contractility of the muscles, with observations on the reflex theory / by Bennet Dowler.

  • Dowler, Bennet, 1797-1879.
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Experimental rescearches [sic] on the post-mortem contractility of the muscles, with observations on the reflex theory / by Bennet Dowler. 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.)

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    ing post-mortem contractility. It is more than probable that my most striking cases are omitted, as, at the time of making the observations, I did not fully appreciate their importance. I have omitted all cases not particularly described, that is, such as were mentioned in such general terms, as contractile contraction active, strong contractility, &c. This I now regret, as well as the omission of many experiments which I could name, but most of all, such as might illustrate the almost incre- dible doctrine of counter-contraction, which, in despite of my notes, I would like to reconfirm upon a larger scale. Miscellaneous cases illustrative of the general phenomena of post-mortem Contractility :— Case I.—0. D., an Englishman, aged 26. From fifteen minutes to several hours after death, raised his fore-arm to the perpendicular as often as its flexors were struck ; the motion was slow, the ratio of contraction and relaxation appeared uniform, occupying about half a minute. Case II.—E. M., an Englishman, aged 37. At thirty minutes after death, afforded similar results. The experiments were often repeated, at prolonged periods ; the contractions and relaxations were supposed to occupy about 30 seconds each. The flexion ceased at the perpendicu- lar in every instance. When the experiments ceased, the muscular force continued at its maximum, having lost nothing. Case III.—O. S., an Englishman, aged 27. Like the last. Case IV.—W. O., an Englishman, aged 27. Dead five hours; neck moderately stiff; brain, 93° ; epigastrium, 100° ; chest, 93° ; thigh, 99°. 'JThe arms strongly contractile, but the motion was slow and uni- form, requiring several seconds to produce flexion and relaxation. Case V.—H. O., a German, aged 32. Presented one hour after death active muscular contractions of the arms, which soon disappeared after a few blows, the neck being stiff; other parts flexible. Case VI.—J. Q., a German, aged 24. Fifteen minutes to one hour after death, everywhere flexible ; powerful muscular contractions; the neck became stiff; the legs and arms soon after. Case VII.—S. G., a New Yorker, aged 22. Precisely like the last case. Case VIII.—J. M., a Virginian, aged 31. Like the last. Case IX.—J. R., a Marylander, aged 25. Was observed for one hour after death, during which time the biceps at intervals contracted vigorously. Case X.—D. H., a German, aged 22. For more than an hour after death, carried his hand to his nipple as often as the extensors were struck—the jaws being rigid ; 109° to 106°, for two hours. Case XI.—Miss S., aged 26. An hour after death presented slight rigidity of the arm ; one was extended ; a blow caused it to rise quickly to the perpendicular, from which it slowly returnea, requiring many seconds, perhaps a minute or two. Three similar operations destroyed the contractility. The fingers soon became stiff, then the arms, next the legs, but the neck was limber for three hours. The heat generally 107°,, descended in the axilla, at four hours after death, to 108|°. Case XII.—F. L., a Frenchman, aged 58. Dead about one hour; heat 107^° to 103° ; possessed the contractile function strojjgly, carry-