104 Messrs. T. L. Brautoii and J. Fayrer on the [Jan. 22, 



2.5. Already affected. Much less active. Lies very quiet. 



2.34. Paralyzed. On touching his body he moves the right, but not 

 the left leg. 



When acetic acid is applied to the hand, he straightens both the arms 

 and contracts the right, but not the left leg. 



Acetic acid applied to left hind leg causes him to straighten both arms 

 and draw up the right leg ; but there is only feeble movement in the 

 left leg. 



When acetic acid is applied to the right foot, the foot itself is drawn 

 up ; but there are no movements of any other part of the body. 



When acetic acid is applied to left hand, the left arm is powerfully 

 straightened, and there are strong contractions of right hind leg, but 

 none in the left, and little movement in any other part of the body. 



Acetic acid applied to left foot causes powerful extension of both legs. 



Acetic acid applied to the right foot has no effect. Electrodes were 

 inserted in the spine and the cord irritated by a Earadic current. 

 Distance of the secondary from the primary coil 18 centims. There was 

 movement of left hand. 



At 16 centims. movement of left hand and right leg. 



At 12 centims. also faint movement of left leg. 



At 15 centims. the interrupted current was kept up for some time, and 

 the muscular twitchings were more powerful in the left gastrocnemius 

 than in the right one. 



On applying the electrodes to the lumbar nerves, coil at 48 centims., the 

 right leg contracts. 



.Coil at 42 centims. the left leg only twitches. 



Action on the Spinal Cord. 



The spinal cord has the threefold function of a conductor of sensory 

 impressions, a conductor of motor impressions, and a reflex centre ; and 

 j.n examining into the nature of the action of cobra poison upon it, we 

 must consider the manner in which each of these functions is affected. 



Cobra-poison, as has already been intimated, has a powerful paralyzing 

 action upon the reflex function of the cord ; and this is exemplified in 

 Experiment XLVIL, &c. 



As a conductor of sensory impressions, the cord is able to transmit two 

 kinds, viz. tactile and painful, and these have been stated to pass through 

 different parts of the cord, the former being conveyed by the posterior 

 and lateral white columns, and the latter by the grey matter. 



From Experiments XXXVI. and LX. it would appear that the power 

 to convey tactile impressions is retained, both in warm-blooded animals 

 and frogs, after the transmission of painful impressions has almost, or 

 entirely, ceased. Thus, in Experiment XXXVI. the frog's leg moved 

 when the animal was laid upon its back, although an extremely painful 

 stimulus, the application of sparks from a coil to the eye, had caused 



