Science. Inhalations of Oxygen.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1935, 29 November 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Science. Inhalations of Oxygen.

For several years past, numerous experiments carried out with the view of ascertaining the influence of various gases on the system have occupied many distinguished physicians. Baths of compressed air for asthmatic patients are now quite fashionable in certain French and German towns. * The most important investigation of this kind, which has come to light quite recently, ia that of Dr. Albrecht, of Neuchatel, the object of which is to determine the exact value of methodic inhalations of oxygen gas in phthisis, or tubercular consumption. The observations made in this direction are certainly encouraging, to say the least, and no one can say to what beneficial results they may not lead before long. The author is medical tutor at the Children's Hospital at Berne (the Children's Clinic'at the University), and he hag already devoted some time to noting the influence of pure oxygen upon nutrition, and especially upon the formation of the red blood corpuscles. In the work, Dr. Albrecht gives an account of his experiments made both on men and animals, with the view of ascertaining the effects of methodic inhalations of oxygen gas upon the development of phthisis. He wished to prove whether by increasing the rate of organic combustion by this means the bacterium of consumption (Koch's bacillus) would not be destroyed and eliminated from the system. In experimenting upon the human subject, Dr. Albrecht submitted his patients to the inhalations of oxygen ; they were tuberculous patients, in whose expectoration the bacterium of phthisis had been discovered with certainty on several occasions. Before this treatment was put into operation the patients were submitted to an appropriate highly nutritious diet, such as would not require to be changed during the course of the experiment. The diet consisted of milk and peptone. Twice in the course of a week they were weighed with the greatest care, and the smallest variation in the weight of the body was noted. One oi the first things observed was that as soon as the patients had begun the oxygen inhalations the loss of weight which the body was undergoing day by day was checked, and sometimes the patient's weighty was found to have increased. At the same time it was noticed, though not so constantly, that dyspnoea diminished, and the number of bacteria seen under the microscope appeared smaller. It was quite evident that the improvement noticed in the state of the patient was due to the oxygen inhalations ; for no f ooner were these suppressed than the suffering and dyspnoea recommenced, even when the body still kept up the weight it had acquired during the previous treatment.— Scientific American.

Sunlight and Human Health. A prolonged atwnee of sunlight is a very serious matter. Its effects upon the health are direct and perceptible. We get no ozone, and we become dull and listless, as if we had been sitting up all night. When thus out of tone and below par we are consequently deficient in that vital energy which would otherwise enable us to shako off any ordinary ailment. Nor is this all. Absence of sunlight for any considerable period is almost invariably followed by epidemic outbreaks. When the sun is active filth of all kinds putrefies as it collects. When there is no sunshine the filth collects, and accumulates in masses and ferments. These fermented accumulations are a source of positive danger as soon as the sun resumes its activity. Decomposition under a bright sun is comparatively harmless. Slow decomposition in the dark is especially hostile to health. We need no chemist to tell us all this, but at the same time it is well to bear the chemistry of common life in mind. Children suifer more from the absence of the sun's rays than do adults. Adults have only to keep alive ; children have to keep alive and to grow, which entails a double amount o£ chemical work. Now, if there be no sunshine, we can best supplement its absence by exercise. And yet, strange enough the substance of sunshine is regarded by most mothers aa a suliieient ground for keeping children within doors. It is, on the contrary, the very reason why they should he sent out and kept out as much as possible. — London Obsctver.