Literary Notices. xcvii 



Nerve Endings in the Sexual Organs. 1 



A comparison of the results of the application of the Golgi and 

 methyl blue methods to the details of the nervous organs in the tes- 

 ticles proves that the results of the former require to be extended and 

 interpreted by the latter method. 



By means of the Golgi method numerous nerve-fibres can be 

 demonstrated following the course of the vessels about which they 

 spread -in the form of a plexus. Other fibres pass among the tubules, 

 but none could be traced through the membrana propria as described 

 by Sclavunos, who also described knob-like free termini between the 

 semen-cells. These appearances the author attributes to imperfect im- 

 pregnation and varicosities. In the epididymis fine fibres are found 

 about the canals, but they may belong to the involuntary muscles. 

 Methyl blue impregnation reveals a double plexus about the canals of 

 the epididymis, the inner being fine-meshed and fine-fibred. The 

 nerve fibres entering the epididymis are provided with ganglion 

 cells which are enclosed in a fine pericellular plexus(sympathic ganglia.) 



In the vas deferens other ganglia susceptible to stain are found. 

 Intra-epithelial nerve fibres were nowhere found. 



Histology of Secondary Degeneration. 2 



The material for this study was derived from a patient who had 

 been injured by a bullet which penetrated the spinal cord at the level 

 of the eleventh dorsal vertebra, completely destroying it at that point. 

 The result was complete paraplegia lumbales with paranesthesia and 

 loss of muscle sense in both legs. 



After death the cord was investigated by Marchi's and Weigert's 

 methods. Caudad of the lesion the following changes were observed : 



Both lateral pyramids were extensively degenerated. The re- 

 mainder of the lateral columns and the ventral column exhibited a few 

 scattered degenerate fibres. In the sacral region the degeneration 

 seemed limited to the periphery of the ventro-lateral column. The 

 dorsal columns show an almost uniform diffuse and compact degener- 

 ation leaving the so-called root zone and Flechsig's median zone along 

 the dorsal septum relatively unaltered. 



1 Timofeew, D. Zur Kenntniss der Nerven Endigungen in den mannlichen 

 Geschlechts Organen der Sauger. Atiat. Anzciger, IX, II. 



2 Schaffer, Karl. Beitrag zur Histologic der secundaren Degeneration. 

 Zugleich ein Beitrag zur Riickenraarksanatomie. Arch. f. inik. Atiatomie. 

 XLIII, 2. 



