Attempt at Determination of Susceptibility to Sea Sickness on the Basic of the Autonomic Nervous System Reactions After Excitation of the Vestibular Organ

Abstract 55 men were submitted to examination with method of electric resistance of the skin of the forehead after excitation of the vestibular organ („swing” according to Hulk and Henkes). In group of 43 people with a history of a disposition to sea-sickness, na 28 cases a lowering of electric resistance was stated and in the majotity of cases a simultaneous acceleration of the pulse rate was also observed. In group of 7 people especially sensitive (sweating, turning pale, headache, nausea – the necessity of checking the examination because of vomiting) the lowering of elctric resistance of the skin was stated in 6 cases. 17 people were examined under maritime conditions with the results depending on the method used. It is concluded that the method of vegetative reaction of the vestibular organ may give valuable results in cases of overexcitability of the labyrinth. In other cases consideration should be given to a possibility of an adaptation to sea conditions. The results must be confirmed on larger material.