The effects of cigarette smoking on the ballistocardiogram

Abstract

1. 1. Of 31 tested subjects 18 showed changes in the ballistocardiogram as a result of smoking one standard cigarette. All subjects showed a decrease in amplitude of the digital pulse. 2. 2. Eleven of the 18 had minor changes which consisted primarily of an increase in respiratory variation. 3. 3. Seven had severe changes which consisted of an increase in respiratory variation and distortion of the pattern of the curve. These were transient, disappearing in one to twenty minutes. 4. 4. Deep breathing affects the ballistocardiogram and the pulse in the finger tips, but in no way approaches the effects of smoking. 5. 5. Nicotine alkaloid placed on a subject's tongue produced drastic changes in the ballistocardiogram along with the symptoms of mild nicotine poisoning familiar to nonsmokers taking their first cigar.