OF THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM. AND ITS FUNCTIONS. 829 



6. Of the Sympathetic System, and its Functions. 



846. That collection of scattered but mutually-connected ganglia and nerves, 

 which altogether constitute what is now generally designated the Sympathetic 

 System, maybe ranged under the following groups: 1. The isolated ganglia 

 and nerves in immediate connection with the viscera, which seem to be the 

 chief centres of the system ; these form three principal plexuses, the cardiac, 

 the solar, and the hypogastric. 2. The double chain of prevertebral ganglia, 

 with connecting cords, which lies in front of the Vertebral column, and com- 

 municates on the one hand with the spinal nerves, and on the other with the 

 before-named plexuses. Under this head we should probably rank the minute 

 cranial ganglia, which are situated in the neighborhood of the Organs of Sense, 

 and in immediate connection with the branches of the 5th Pair that proceed to 

 them ] these are the ophthalmic, otic, spheno-palatine, and submaxillary ganglia. 

 3. The ganglia on the posterior roots of the Spinal nerves ; under which head 

 we are probably to rank not only the Grasserian ganglion of the 5th Pair, but 

 also the ganglia near the roots of the Pneumogastric and Glosso-pharyngeal 

 nerves. The trunks of the Sympathetic are made up of different orders of fibres; 

 some of these being derived from the Cerebro-Spinal system, whilst others have 

 their central termination in the vesicular matter of the Sympathetic ganglia 

 themselves. These last, which are all of the "gelatinous" kind ( 339), 1 are 

 most abundant in the great visceral plexuses ; but they may be traced from the 

 prevertebral ganglia into the spinal nerves, where they are reinforced by the 

 fibres which have their centres in the ganglia of the posterior roots. Thus it 

 appears that the Cerebro-Spinal and Sympathetic systems interpenetrate one 

 another ; each having its own series of ganglionic centres and of trunks con- 

 state that no evidence of an affirmative kind has yet been adduced, which can be in the 

 least degree satisfactory to a scientific inquirer, who duly appreciates all the sources of 

 fallacy to which these occurrences are open. Among these, the state of expectation 

 on the part of the " subject" is the most important ; since this has been shown, by repeated 

 experiments, to be of itself quite sufficient to induce the state, when the " subject" has 

 been led to entertain it ; whilst, if it be altogether wanting, the most powerful mesmeric 

 influence, so far as the Author's personal knowledge extends (and on this subject, he must 

 be excused for trusting rather to the results of his own investigations, than to the state- 

 ments of other individuals, however trustworthy on ordinary matters), has always failed. 

 A very striking instance of this kind is contained in the " Brit, and For. Med. Rev.," vol. 

 xix. p. 478, in an Article to which the Author may refer as on the whole expressing 

 (although not written by himself) his own opinions on this curious and interesting subject; 

 strengthened as these are by much subsequent inquiry into the phenomena of "Hypno- 

 tism" and " Electro-Biology," the attentive and scientific study of which will tend, he 

 feels assured, to eliminate the true from the false in Mesmerism, more effectually than 

 any other method of procedure. Much has been done by the inquiries of Mr. Braid, of 

 Manchester, who discovered the "hypnotic" mode of inducing Artificial Somnambulism, 

 and who has carefully studied the phenomena of the hypnotic state ; and the Author feels 

 it due to that gentleman further to mention, that very soon after the publication of the 

 first edition of Baron Reichenbach's researches on Odyle, Mr. Braid discovered their true 

 explanation, and exhibited to the Author many of the " odylic" phenomena, as the results 

 of suggestion in certain individuals, whom he had discovered to have the power of voluntarily 

 inducing o state of Abstraction or artificial reverie, closely corresponding to what is now 

 termed the Electro-Biological condition. 



On the whole subject of Sleep and its allied states, as well as on that of Cerebral Phy- 

 siology generally, the Author would strongly recommend his readers to study Dr. Holland's 

 "Chapters on Mental Physiology;" in which they will find a most valuable and suggestive 

 collection of facts and doctrines, based upon an extended practical experience, and brought 

 to bear particularly upon the more difficult and recondite portions of the inquiry. 



> It must be carefully borne in mind, that, although the proper Sympathetic fibres are 

 all gelatinous, yet that the Cerebro-Spinal system contains gelatinous fibres of its own, 

 which are very abundant in some parts. 



