STUDIES ON VOMITING

¹ From the Department of Pharmacology of Cornell University Medical College, New York City

1. Observations have been made on the behavior of the diaphragm, the rôles of inspiratory and expiratory efforts, and the point in the respiratory cycle at which the glottis closes during retching and vomiting in the dog and cat under conditions as nearly normal as possible.

2. The glottis of the cat and dog closes at the end of expiration or at the very beginning of inspiration, with the diaphragm high up, before the first retching movement in normal vomiting.

3. Retching consists of a series of spasmodic abortive respiratory movements with the glottis closed, during which an inspiratory effort of the chest muscles and diaphragm occurs simultaneously with (expiratory) spasmodic contraction of the abdominal muscles.

4. The diaphragm remains in the expiratory position throughout the entire period of retching. It contracts spasmodically simultaneously with the spasmodic contractions of the abdominal muscles with each retching movement. It usually descends very little, though, it may descend more if the glottis is not completely closed.

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