SEASICKNESS THEORY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 50, 22 November 1907, Page 2

SEASICKNESS THEORY.

An interesting new theory of the cause ot seasickness and its cure is put forward ill a little book entitled "Seasicknoss: It's True Cause arid Cure," which lias just bebn published by Dr. Norman Barnettj F.ikC.S., surgeon to the Cripples' Home; Belfast, and formerly surgeon t6 ilie P. and 'Ot aiid Orient Mail fihes\ ." ■ • The internal ear, Mr;. Bafnett■ eaW;-6iM-tains three canals, hollowed out of the tem« poral hoiie, each one being set at , right angles to the other two* TheSe eatial'e <Jon* tain a fluid known as the endolymph, arid they, perform the function of n hunian spirit level ' ■ '■■.■.

This has been proved by experirneiits with pigeons. In cases" where ofte or btlier 6f the canals have been severed the bird has lost its power to maintain its equilibrium.. : . Mr. Barnett's theory is that the motion tit the ship oauses a Violent and .unaccustomed motion of the endolprtiyh, which irritates the delicate nerves terminating in thd canals'. These nerves oommnnicato with the st6m4ch and other organs, and set up the nausea and other symptoms which are charaeteristk) of seasickness. ■ y. v " . ■'.. The treatment,, both preventive and 6ujai tive, which Mr. Barnett indicates is a.' free dosage with bromides Under the advjee of'i cbmpetont medical man. The action of the bromides is to deaden tlie nefi'es aiid "fchua lessen the reaction on the stbniaoh'aiid other organs, until the nerves' have become accustomed to tbe utiusunl li'.dtiori of the endo-i lymph. ' . " ;: . .'.'.■ '■"■ Mr. Barnett gives several typical casei which he has treated successfully in.accord-' ance with his theory.

Mr. Barnott protests most strongly against the indiscriminate way in which persons.iu i/1 health aro ordered sea voyages;. In cases of pthisis in particular soa voyages, ho declares, are very dangerous.