A bibliography of John Hutchinson

Abstract

The Secretary read a paper by Mr. Hutchinson on his Pneumatic Apparatus for Valuing the Respiratory Powers, which was illustrated by about twenty large diagrams and tables.The apparatus was also placed on the table."At first sight it would appear that Hutchinson himself was not present at the above meeting, as his paper was read by the Secretary.But after giving a description of the "Breathing Machine", for measuring "volume", and the "Inspirator", for measur- ing "power", and giving Hutchinson's findings in nearly 1,200 observations, the report goes on to say: "Several persons, including fire-brigade men, wrestlers, gentle- men, and particularly Robinson, the well-made dwarf, thirty-six years of age, and three feet nine inches high, were subjected to the trial of Mr. Hutchinson's apparatus, under his immediate superintendance...."It is then clear that Hutchinson himself must have been present at the meeting.The above short report in the Lancet would appear to be the first appearance in print of Hutchinson's work with the spirometer.It is interesting that he chose to make his first communication to this famous old Society (founded in 1754), but it is clear from its histories and its Transactions, that it served as a forum for the presentation of papers on a wide variety of topics, some of which were concerned with apparatus of scientific or medical interest; as well as matters of public health and sanitation.In view of Hutchinson's known interest in mechanical engineering his choice can be readily understood.In addition, one has to remember that there were relatively few general medical societies in London at the time, and Hutchinson, with his mechanical turn of mind, would have been attracted to the Society, with its long tradition of "encouraging" useful inventions and their application. 'Neue pneumatischer Apparat zur Prufung des Respirations-vermogens', NeueNotizen aus dem Gebiete der Natur und Heilkunde, von L. F. Froriep und S. Froriep, Weimar, 1844, 31: columns 182-184 (No. 12 of vol.31, no.672-September).

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