FUNCTIONS OF THE MEDULLA OBLONGATA. 517 



geal nerve, which are distributed to the pharynx ; and the 

 nerves through which the motor impressions to the fauces 

 and pharynx are reflected, are the pharyngeal branches of 

 ihe vagus, and, in subordinate degrees, or as supplying 

 muscles accessory to the movements of the pharynx, the 

 branches of the hypoglossal, facial, cervical, recurrent, and 

 fifth nerves. For the cesophageal movements, so far as 

 they are connected with the medulla oblongata, the fila- 

 ments of the pneumogastric nerve alone, which contain 

 both afferent and efferent fibres, appear to be sufficient 

 {John Reid). 



Though respiration and life continue while the medulla, 

 oblongata is perfect and in connection with respiratory 

 nerves, yet, when all the brain above it is removed, there 

 is no more appearance of sensation, or will, or of any 

 mental act in the animal, the subject of the experiment, 

 than there is when only a spinal cord is left. The move- 

 ments are all involuntary and unfelt ; and the medulla 

 oblongata has, therefore, no claim to be considered as an 

 organ of the mind, or as the seat of sensation or volun- 

 tary power. These are connected with parts next to be 

 described. 



It would appear that much of the reflecting power of 

 the medulla oblongata may be destroyed; and yet its 

 power in the respiratory movements may remain. Thus, 

 in patients completely affected with chloroform, the wink- 

 ing of the eye-lids ceases, and irritation of the pharynx 

 -will not produce the usual movements of swallowing, or 

 the closure of the glottis (so that blood may run quietly 

 into the stomach, or even into the lungs) ; yet, with all 

 this, they may breathe steadily, and show that the power 

 of the medulla oblongata to combine in action all the 

 nerves of the respiratory muscles is perfect. 



In addition to its influence over the functions of respira- ' 

 tion and deglutition, the medulla oblongata appears to be 

 largely concerned also in the faculty of speech. 



