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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Unpublished paper, 'Researches on the function of the intercostal muscles and on respiratory movements with some remarks on muscular power, in man' by John Hutchinson

Reference number: AP/29/8

Date: June 1847

Description

Hutchinson aims to demonstrate by models and dissections the action of the intercostal muscles. After sharing an account of the views of several eminent physiologists, and in particular those promulgated by Haller, Hutchinson shows that they resolve themselves into the general opinion that the scalene or other muscles of the neck fix the first rib, in order to enable the two sets of intercostal muscles to act either separately or conjointly, as inspiratory or expiratory muscles. He then proceeds to state the proofs that the intercostal muscles possess an action which is independent of any other muscle, and also independent of each other, so that any of the twelve ribs may be elevated or depressed by them either separately or conjointly. He demonstrates the nature of this action by means of models, producing oblique tensions between levers representing the ribs, and allowing of rotation on their centres of motion; and he shows that such tension in the direction of the external intercostal muscles, elevates both the levers until the tension ceases, or the position of the bars by proximity obstruct each other. If the tension be exerted in a contrary direction, as in the internal intercostal muscles, the bars are both depressed. This movement was demonstrated by a model. It was farther shown that two tensions decussating can, according to the position of the fulcra, be made to act as associates or antagonists to each other. Such motions are to be considered with reference to the fulcra, bars with one fulcrum common to each having no such action; and the author accordingly draws the following conclusions:— 1st. All the external intercostal muscles are true inspiratory muscles, elevators of the ribs, and with this act they dilate the intercostal spaces, thus increasing the cavity of the chest.

Annotations in ink throughout. Followed by 18 pages of 74 figures and diagrams relating to human anatomy and geometry.

Subject: Anatomy / Physiology

Received 15 June 1847. Communicated by Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie.

Whilst the Royal Society declined to publish this paper in full, an abstract of the paper was published in volume 5 of Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London [later Proceedings of the Royal Society] as 'Researches on the function of the intercostal muscles and on the respiratory movements, with some remarks on muscular power, in man'.

Reference number
AP/29/8
Earliest possible date
June 1847
Physical description
Ink and graphite pencil on paper
Page extent
124 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

John Hutchinson

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Citation

John Hutchinson, Unpublished paper, 'Researches on the function of the intercostal muscles and on respiratory movements with some remarks on muscular power, in man' by John Hutchinson, June 1847, AP/29/8, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_29_8/unpublished-paper-researches-on-the-function-of-the-intercostal-muscles-and-on-respiratory-movements-with-some-remarks-on-muscular-power-in-man-by-john-hutchinson, accessed on 16 July 2025

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  • Archived Papers

    The 'Archived Papers' collection is comprised of original manuscript scientific papers and letters submitted to the Royal Society which remained unpublished or were abstracted in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society' published from 1830 onwards.

    Dates: 1768 - 1989

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