Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/557

 STUDY OF WOMEN CRIMINALS 541

The varying associations for the same word brought out by the two classes were most interesting. Noticeable, too, was the fatigue which the test produced in the criminal classes. The students were almost always fresh, while near the close the delinquents grew tired, restless, and irritable. This was true, notwithstanding their interest, which was well held by this experiment.

The last, and perhaps most interesting, test was that made with the kymograph, an instrument designed to register the respiration curve upon smoked paper. The instrument consists of a base containing a clockwork, a standard, and a drum, around which is rolled the smoked paper. The drum is revolved slowly by the clockwork. Resting lightly against the smoked paper is a pointer. A respirator is fastened upon the chest of the subject, and this is connected with the pointer by means of a rubber tubing. When the subject inspires and expires, the air is forced down and back the tube, the pointer making a curved line upon the paper as the drum revolves. Every change in the amplitude and the rate of the breathing is thus graphically portrayed.

The test was given for the purpose of determining the amount of emotional reaction to stimuli, as shown by the changes in breathing. Five curves were taken upon each sheet. In the first one the subject was asked to sit quietly and think of whatever she desired, except of the experiment. This gave a fairly regular curve. Where there were any marked depressions or elevations I stopped the kymograph and -asked for the cor- responding thought, which was rarely denied. Near the close of this curve a stimulus for surprise was given. The room was quiet, the subject thinking, when suddenly a block was dropped, or a hammer struck. The change in the width, height, and regularity of the curve showed the amount of reaction. These changes are made by the subjects breathing more quickly or slowly, by catching or holding the breath. The second curve was designed to secure as nearly as is possible the normal curve. For this the subject was asked to read a newspaper clipping. It had no beginning or end, and was selected to hold the attention, but