of the Eighth Pair of Nerves. 305 



then fed with parsley, and at two p.m. the nerves were divided 

 as usual. For the purpose of observing whether the diaphragm 

 acted freely, an incision was made into the abdomen, close to 

 the ensiform cartilage, and it was found in full and regular 

 play. At five o'clock the animal was lively, ran about, and 

 seemed unaffected. 



The diaphragm still acted freely, and there was no slowness 

 of respiration. At different periods of the evening it had eaten of 

 lettuce and parsley. After seven it was not seen till past 

 eleven at night. It was then found couched on its hinder legs, 

 and gasping for breath. On touching the diaphragm, the lungs 

 were scarcely to be felt in motion. The rabbit was then killed 

 by a blow on the occiput. The stomach contained parsley cent' 

 verted to a brown colour; it was verj/ moist, and surrounded with 

 chymcy while the oesophagus, as usual, was filled with bright- 

 green chopped parsley. 



Experiment 14. 



An horse of fourteen years old, in good health, had the 

 par vagum divided on each side of the windpipe, at eight 

 o'clock P.M. No symptoms occurred immediately, as in 

 the experiment of the former horse, from applying a piece 

 of tape round each nerve, nor upon dividing them. Previous 

 to the operation some hay was given. Shortly after the 

 operation the horse appeared slightly oppressed in his 

 breathing. He drank water, but refused to eat. In a few 

 minutes he lay quietly down, and then breathed with long, 

 slow, and distinct inspirations, and sudden and forcible ex- 

 pirations, but not accompanied with the noise and violence 

 which the other horse exhibited. The respirations were no more 

 than twelve in a minute. There was slight perspiration about 

 the head and neck. The pulse rose to seventy-two, and it 

 beat full and strong. Afterwards it rose to eighty, but it was 

 now much weaker. Foeces were voided after the operation 

 naturally. The respirations became slower. Before twelve, he 

 endeavoured to eat, but it seemed to excite uneasiness. By 

 midnight all symptoms had vanished. The whole of tlie next 



