Vibration and tbe Chest
The effect of vibration upon the chest, and of general vibra¬tion also, is to cause the respiratory movements to become deeper and fuller. This causes greater amounts of air and life-giving oxygen to be taken into the body and also causes more complete oxidation of food and body wastes. This further aids the circulation of the blood, and the supply to each organ of the body, and tends to increase the functional activity of these organs.
Vibration over the heart slows its action, but increases its force. This effect is so noticeable that the treatment has been called by some French doctors “gymnastic digitalis.” But there is no untoward effect upon the heart from the vibratory treatment, when properly given for not too prolonged a period. The heart, when subnormal in tone, is toned up and strengthened by cardiac vibration.