172 ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY CHAP. 



Perhaps the soundest hypothesis is that propagation of a peri- 

 staltic wave does under all circumstances depend upon muscular 

 conductivity, but that the discharge of excitation, as also the 

 inhibitory processes which may become effective at any point, are 

 governed by the nervous organisation in the wall of the intestine. 

 This view is in ultimate agreement with the striking effects 

 observed by Nothnagel in chemical excitation of the intestine 

 with salts of sodium and potassium. Unfortunately it is not 

 possible to test the hypothesis in question by putting the 

 ganglion-plexus functionally out of court with specific poisons ; 

 but the effect of small doses of ether and chloroform might be 

 investigated, since it may be supposed that the ganglion-plexus 

 loses its excitability earlier than the intrinsic muscle-elements. 

 The possible discharge of peristaltic and anti-peristaltic waves at 

 a certain stage of death from haemorrhage may perhaps also 

 depend on an earlier loss of vitality of the intestinal ganglia. 



In conclusion, it may be said that conductivity of excitation 

 in smooth, muscular organs is rarely obvious and certain ; in the 

 majority of cases it is wanting altogether. The formation of an 

 " idio-muscular " swelling contraction at the seat of excitation, 

 which only disappears very slowly, is the rule with localised 

 excitation. 



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