xciv Journal of Comparative Neurology. 



of nerves are most diseased is explained in this condition, as in some 

 other neurites, by their situation ; there they are furthest removed 

 from their trophic supply and being the most highly organized and 

 functionally susceptible parts of the nerve they are placed at a disad- 

 vantage. A toxic agent would in this situation operate with greatest 

 effect. We assume this applies to motor and sensory nerves alike. 



Destruction of the Ganglion Coeliacum. 1 



The functions and mutual relations of the visceral sympathic 

 ganglia have long been questions upon which the greatest diversity of 

 opinion prevails. It is natural to associate them with the viscera with 

 which they are topographically associated, but the full review of the 

 literature which accompanies the paper before us shows that the exist- 

 ing data are meagre and the interpretations most contradictory. 



That these ganglia are sensitive has been experimentally proven 

 and Bichat, Jolly and others claim that they are subject to special 

 neuralgias or colics. Gee has ascribed to the ganglion a " coeliac af- 

 fection " characterized by a chylous diarrhoea in young children. 



Experimental results are conflicting. Munk and Klebs found, 

 after extirpation of the coeliac ganglion, diabetes insipidus and atro- 

 phy of the pancreas; Peiper, however, considered the diabetes inci- 

 dental to the operation and noticed no atrophy of the pancreas. More 

 recently the attempt has been made to connect injury of the coeliac 

 ganglion with the peculiar affection known as Addison's disease. 



The authors made elaborate experiments in this direction, either 

 extirpating or crushing the ganglion. We cannot reproduce the tabu- 

 lated results which are carefully recorded in the original. The au- 

 thor's conclusions are as follows : 



i. The coeliac ganglion is among the most susceptible to pain of 

 all nervous organs. 



2. After partial extirpation a part of the ganglion may substitute 

 vicariously for the whole by enlargement. 



3. The extirpation or crushing of the ganglion does not neces- 

 sarily produce a rapidly fatal result. 



4. The principal effect of such injury is paresis of the intestine 

 with diarrhoea and meteorismus. Experiment also shows that the 

 motor centres for the peristaltic motion of the intestine are in this 

 ganglion. 



1 Lewin and Boer. Quetschung und Ausrottung des Ganglion coeliacum. 

 Dentsch. med, Wochenschrift, 10, 1894. 



