382 DIGESTION. 



unless alimentary matters were contained in the intes- 

 tine. 1 



It must be acknowledged that very little is known con- 

 cerning the reflex actions which take place through the sym- 

 pathetic system ; but there is certainly good ground for sup- 

 posing that certain reflex functions are performed by this 

 system of nerves, one of the most important of which is the 

 production of peristaltic movements in obedience to the im- 

 pression made by alimentary substances upon the mucous 

 membrane. This impression is probably conveyed to the 

 semilunar ganglia and reflected back through the motor 

 nerves to the muscular coat of the intestine. 



1 LONGET, Trait6 de Physiologic, Paris, 1861, tome i., p. 148. 



