774 



Figures la and Ih show, although unforluiiately not quite so distinct 

 as the original photographs, that the frequency of the action currents 

 before and after elimination of the vagi is 112 resp. 130 per second. 

 In (ig. 2(7 and 26 these numbers are 98 and 120 respective. 



The results of our 8 experinienis on the cat in the order in 

 which they were performed, are given below in the table. In ex- 

 periment IV only a slight augmentation of the frequency was found; 

 in this aninuil (he change of the pneumogi'am of the diaphragm 

 after the anaesthesia of the vagi was not \erv distinct. 



TABLE 



of the frequency of the action currents of the diaphragm in the cat. 



On the rabbit 6 experiments were made; in all of which an 

 augmentation of the frequency of the action currents after elimina- 

 tion of the vagi was also found, for (he most part still more 

 evident than in (he cat. In one of the rabbits this augmentation was 

 even 40 '/„. 



We will now try to answer the question, how one has to look 

 at this experimental fact. 



As is already long known the effect of double vagotomia, either 

 by cutting or by local anaesthesia of (he nerves, is that the respira- 

 tory movements become less frequent and are increased in amplitude. 

 We will for the present confine ourselves to this last point. The 

 muscles which perform inspiration and in the first place the most 

 important, the diaphragm, con(rac( more vigorously, afier the elimin- 



