x ELECTROMOTIVE ACTION IN NERVE 353 



investigation. Should this eventually establish the conclusions 

 of Bernstein's hypothesis, a " theory of discharge " would still be 

 possible only under the assumption " that, after the wave of 

 excitation had reached the end-organ, the electrical charge would 

 at first develop slowly, and only after about -3^ sec. reach the 

 climax at which excitation of the muscle would be effected." 



Since it has been established by Kiihne that the final expan- 

 sion of the axis- cylinder is liypolemmal in striated muscle-fibres 

 invested with a sarcolemma, a theory of discharge, in the original 

 sense, no longer seems to be necessary to the explanation of 

 innervation. On the other hand, we cannot overlook the 

 possibility that there may be direct transference of the molecular 

 processes fundamental to excitation, from nerve to muscle ; just 

 as, in both tissues, transmission of excitation occurs from section 

 to section. This in no way excludes essential participation of 

 Hermann's galvanic processes (as set forth above), but, on the 

 contrary, renders it highly probable. No real objection exists in 

 the fact that, since actual continuity of substance between nerve 

 and muscle has not thus far been proven, the conductivity 

 of excitation must occur per contiguitatem. Eecent evidence, 

 moreover, tends to show that transmission of excitation may 

 occur by contiguity alone in the central nerve-endings also. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 



1. L. FREDERICQ. Du Bois' Arch. 1880. p. 65. 



2. W. KUHNE und J. STEINER. Uiitersuchungen cles physiol. Instituts der Uni- 



versitat Heidelberg. III. p. 149. 



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5. F. GOTCH und V. HORSLEY. Phil. Trans. Vol. 182 (1891) B. pp. 267-526. 



( Du BOIS-REYMOND. Gesammelte Abhancllimgen. II. p. 196. 

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7. J. STEINER. Du Bois' Arch. 1876, p. 382. 1883, Suppl. p. 178. 



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j'AV. KUHNE. Untersuchungen aus dem physiol. Institut der Universitat 



9. Heidelberg. IV. 1881. 



ITH. W. ENGELMANN. P. A. XV. 1877. p. 138. 

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f E. HERING. W. S.-B. LXXXV. 3. Abth. p. 237. 1882. 



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[p. GRUTZNER. P. A. XXXII. p. 357. 

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