Author: BERT, P.
Title: La pression barométrique, recherches de physiologie expérimentale. Avec 89 figures dans le texte.
Description: Paris, G. Masson, Éditeur. Libr. de l'ac. de médecine, Boulevard Saint Germain, 1878. W. 89 woodengr. textills. (Signed J. Blanadet, J.Fouché, Chauvet, O.F., E.C., A. Tissandier, Smeeton Tilly, Belhatte) and 23 tables. Orig. half. clf. over marbled brds., spine gilt w. spine label. (Top of spine dam., edges and covers some rubb./scratching; upper outer hinge split over 8 cm). (VIII, VIII, 1168 pp.). (Upper inner hinge split.). (A few libr. signatures in ink on prelim. lf. IV; Library ticket "Library of Dr. Charles Denison. 1908"). DSB II, 59-63: G&M944: 'The greatest work in the history of altitude physiology, in which Bert proved that the principal symptoms of altitude sickness arise from reduced partial pressure of oxygen and nor from diminution of of total pressure. Bert introduced oxygen apparatus to avert the dangerous consequences of ascent to high altitudes, and was the first to study the conditions of high-altitude ascents in a pressure chamber. He also explained the aetiology and mechanism of caisson disease.': Norman collection 218:'Bert settled a controversy by proving experimentally that high-altitude sickness was caused by the diminution of oxygen pressure and not by the reduction of barometric pressure per se; this was the first application of Dalton's law of partial pressure to human respiration. Bert designed and constructed the first pressure chamber ... This work also contains the earliest history of altitude physiology.': Grollier, medicine, 77:Dr. Dennis Jourdanet, 'a wealthy patron of the arts and sciences who had experienced mountain sickness while travelling in Mexico' and Paul Bert met in 1869 and it turned out they were both interested in altitude physiology. Jourdanet subsidized Bert's experiments. 'Bert's book, considered to be the classic work in altitude physiology, describes his 670 experiments ... It is organized in 3 parts: (1) Review of the history of altitude physiology; (2) experimental protocols; and (3) summary and conclusions.': En Français dans le texte, 305: Norman Sale III, 1145: Hoff-Fulton, 227: Robinson 18/19: 'Bert ran an experiment on himself in one of the big chambers, lowering the pressure to 550 mm (8500 feet) in 33 minutes.': Rare First Edition.

Keywords: air barometer science instrument construction instruments