EMOTION 171 



paths are not familiarly recognized in the display of emo- 

 tion. They include slowing of the heart, contraction of 

 the pupils, salivation, and increased activity of the alimen- 

 tary canal. They seem characteristic of periods of tran- 

 quillity rather than of excitement. Again, posterior to the 

 sympathetic, we have the sacral autonomic. In the 

 fibers comprised in this division are those which promote 

 micturition, defecation, and sexual reactions. While the 

 bladder and the rectum may fall under the disturbing- 

 influence of emotions, their normal actions are executed 

 in the absence of agitating conditions. 



Cannon's grand generalization is, accordingly, to the 

 effect that the thoracico-lumbar autonomic has an "emer- 

 gency function," and that it is employed in crises of rage, 

 fear, and pain to give the animal the utmost command of 

 its resources. The activities of the other autonomic 

 mechanisms have to be held in abeyance at such times, 

 and are carried on only when there is no external cause of 

 distraction. It is urged that the autonomic accompani- 

 ments of all the major emotions are too nearly identical 

 to differentiate them, and that this fact restricts and 

 weakens the James-Lange theory. No condensed state- 

 ment can do justice to the article referred to, which should 

 be consulted. 



A manifestation of emotion which is of minor impor- 

 tance, but which has attracted popular attention because 

 of its picturesque aspects, is found in certain disturbances 

 of the electric equilibrium of the body. 1 It is probably 

 fair to claim that all physiologic processes are attended by 

 quick shif tings of potential. These changes have been 

 extensively studied in nerves, in muscles (including the 

 heart), and in glands. They are of small magnitude and 

 must be registered by delicate instruments. If the two 

 hands are plunged into cups of salt solution which are 

 connected through a sufficiently sensitive galvanometer, 

 there will be evidence of electric instability. The rhythm 



1 Wells and Forbes, Archives of Psychology, New York, March, 

 1911. 



