438 



ELECTRO-PHYSIOLOGY 



CHAP. 



Schonlein noted the same effect in the discharge of Torpedo 

 from a single induction-current with Bernstein's rheotome, i.e. rise 

 and fall of the climax two or three times in succession. " Usually, 

 but not always, the first apex is higher than the second, and if 

 the latter is greatest the differences of apex height are generally 

 less than in the opposite case. The intermediate section is very 

 deep, often reaching to the abscissa without, however, crossing it 

 on the other side." The duration of the single partial discharges 

 varies little. It is remarkable that the same form of curve with 



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Temp15'C 



Fio. 27T. 



several apices is exhibited with similar excitation of the electric 

 lobe, so that it is questionable whether in the last case the 

 ganglion-cells or only the nerve-fibres are excited. 



Schonlein obtained true simple curves of discharge with one 

 apex, corresponding with a single, non-oscillating discharge of the 

 Torpedo organ, only on stimulating the nerve with single descending 

 impacts of current, as shown by the rheotome with 5 Dan. in 

 the exciting circuit. On stimulating with ascending constant 

 currents it is seen that the discharge usually begins much later, 

 and increases more slowly, than with the descending direction. 



The character of the effects further depends upon the 



