FORCEFUL expiration against the closed glottis is commonly known as the "Valsalva experiment." The detailed report of Weber contrasts with the absence of documentation linking Valsalva with the experiment. We therefore consider the eponym not entirely suitable.Valsalva1 described a maneuver useful in expelling pus from the middle ear. It consisted of expiring against the closed nose and mouth. No observations of the circulatory effects were mentioned. Valsalva's original statement and our translation are as follows:... si, inquam, iste clauso ore et naribus aerem intro comprimere conetur; inde sanies in meatum auditorium ita copiose solet eodem actu protrudi, ut . . .