158 NEKVOUS SYSTEM. 



defer the full consideration of the functions of the chorda 

 tympani until we come to treat of the special sense of 

 taste. 



Schiff, in 1851, was the first to note the influence of the 

 chorda tympani upon the secretion of the submaxillary 

 gland. In some works on physiology, the experiments of 

 Ludwig are referred to as the first upon this subject ; 1 but 

 Ludwig only noted the influence upon the salivary secre- 

 tion, of filaments going to the submaxillary from the lingual 

 branch of the fifth, without experimentally demonstrating 

 their real origin. 2 In the experiments of Schiff, the chorda 

 tympani was exposed and the flow of the submaxillary saliva 

 noted. Upon division of the chorda tympani, the flow of 

 saliva was momentarily increased, but was soon arrested ; 

 and subsequently, stimulation of the gustatory sense failed 

 to induce secretion, as it does when the nerve is intact. 3 

 Similar experiments, on a much more extended scale, were 

 made by Bernard, in the following way : 



The duct of the submaxillary gland was exposed in a 

 dog, and into it was fixed a silver canula. The nervous 

 filaments going to the gland from the lingual branch of the 

 fifth were then isolated. A little vinegar introduced into 

 the mouth caused an abundant flow of saliva from the tube. 

 The chorda tympani was then divided, by introducing a 

 sharp instrument through the membrane into the tympanic 

 cavity. After division of the nerve, the introduction of 

 vinegar into the mouth failed to excite the salivary secre- 

 tion. From this and similar experiments, Bernard con- 

 cludes that the chorda tympani is the motor nerve of the 

 submaxillary gland. After having arrested the secretion by 

 section of the chorda tympani, the action of the gland was 



1 LONGET, Traite de physiologie, Paris, 1869, tome iii., p. 582. 



8 LUDWIG, Neue Versuche iiber die JBeihilfe der Nerven zur SpelfJidabzon- 

 derung. Zdtschrift fur rationette Medicin, Heidelberg, 1851, Neue Folge, Bd. i., 

 S. 255, et seq. 



3 SCHIFF, Lemons sur la physiologie de la digestion, Florence et Turin, 1867, 

 tome i., p. 217. 



