Abstract
THE most recent number of the Beiträge zur Psychologie und Philosophie (Band i., Heft 4) contains two articles, one by the editor, Prof. Martius, on the theory of the influence exerted on pulse and respiration by mental stimuli, while the other, by Mr. C. Minnemann, discusses pulse and respiration as studied in the subjects of genuine, first-hand emotion. Prof. Martius starts with pointing out the contradictory opinions held by other investigators regarding the effect of attention, of joyful or painful emotions on pulse and respiration. This diversity he regards as partly due to the neglect of several precautions, and he proceeds to study, amongst other points, those fluctuations of the pulse which are in direct correspondence with respiration periods. He then examines the plethysmographic method, and comes to the conclusion that variations of volume registered by it are partly due to movements of the limb under investigation, and that the method cannot be used at present to secure any definite results regarding the circulation of the blood.
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Physiological Effects of Mental Actions . Nature 74, 20 (1906). https://doi.org/10.1038/074020a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/074020a0