balloon sickness

bal·loon sick·ness

a form of altitude sickness occurring in someone as a result of ascent in a balloon.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

balloon sickness

A permutation of altitude sickness reported in 1908 by French balloonists M Crouzon and M Soubies, which consisted of pain in the back of the head and neck, misting and heaviness of the eyes, tachypnoea and drowsiness. They found 100% oxygen and Agazotti’s mixture (87% oxygen and 13% carbonic acid) equally effective in ameliorating the symptoms up to 4800 metres and pure oxygen more effective at 5000 metres.

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