Respiration Calorimeters for Studying the Respiratory Exchange and Energy Transformations of Man

This volume offers a thorough walk‑through of the early‑20th‑century respiration calorimeter, a machine designed to measure the tiny exchanges of heat, oxygen and carbon‑dioxide that occur when a person is at rest. The authors detail every component—from the steel frame and temperature‑control chambers to the thermoelectric sensors, mercury and resistance thermometers, and the intricate air‑ventilation system—explaining how each part contributes to accurate metabolic readings. Detailed diagrams accompany the text, giving listeners a clear visual sense of the laboratory layout and the careful engineering required to prevent radiation loss and maintain constant‑temperature conditions.

Beyond the mechanical description, the book outlines the step‑by‑step experimental routine used on human subjects, covering preparation, sealing the subject in the chamber, and the systematic recording of temperature, pulse and respiration rates. It also discusses calibration procedures, control experiments with burning alcohol, and the mathematical methods employed to translate raw data into meaningful measures of metabolic energy. For anyone curious about the foundations of human physiology research and the ingenuity of early laboratory instrumentation, this guide provides a compelling snapshot of scientific practice over a century ago.