Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 181, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1911 — The Dangers of Air Sickness to Bird-Men [ARTICLE]

The Dangers of Air Sickness to Bird-Men

AN instructive report has been prepared by Dr. Rene Crochet, professor at the University of Bordeaux, on the physical symptoms felt by airmen when flying at various altitudes and when making rapid ascents and descents. He is convinced that all sickness, as experienced by aviators, is quite different from ordinary mountain sickness. It is well known, the doctor explains, that mountain climbers experience a certain sicknesß when reaching an elevation of 6,000 feet. Aviators are affected in a similar way, but mueh sooner, when they have reached heights of, say, only 3,000 feet to 4,000 feet. The respiration is shortened, the pulse beats quicker, and headaches follow. A general feeling of sickness is the result, and the stomach is sometimes upset.

The dangers of high flying, therefore, are Immensely increased, as the aviator has not only to manage the equilibrium of his machine and watch the motor, but has also to battle against physiological difficulties which are almoßt insurmountable. . The air sickness reaches Itß maximum, not when' rising, but when descending. This, says Dr. Crochet, may partly be accounted for by the fact that avi&toro usually descend In five or ten minutes from heights to which they took 40 or 50 minutes to mount.

The physiological disorders tend to increase as he nears the ground. The heart beats faster than ever, the palpitation becomes audible, the breathing is irregular, the buzzing in the ears becomes violent. Other str«hge phenomena are observed. Aviators feel their faces burning; they look red and bloodshot in the eyes, the headache is more violent than in the ascent, and, what is worse than all, the eyes close automatically and the feeling of wanting to go asleep Is invincible. They shut their eyes In spite of every effort to keep them open, and sometimes doze away for short intervals. •

Something of this kind, explains Dr. Crochet, must have happened to the late M. ( Chavez when he came down after crossing the Alps.