388 BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS 



as the platysma myoides, we think, can only be innervated 

 by the sympathetic, inasmuch as we find it quite impossible 

 for instance, voluntarily to produce the conditions known 

 as " cutls anserina" or the feeling of " streams of cold 

 water running down the back," or that weird feeling of 

 the " hair standing on end," or the wave-like feeling or 

 formication engendered by the action of a cold current 

 or draught of air. If these statements be well founded, as 

 we think they are, it will at once become apparent that a 

 very large functional neuro-muscular role belongs to the 

 sympathetic nervous system in fact, it would appear that 

 virtually the whole functions of organic life, and the 

 greater part of those of reproduction, are under the entire 

 control of the sympathetic system, and are only slightly 

 affected by voluntary interference, or systemic nerve 

 influence, hence the maintenance of the continuity of the 

 entire vital processes during unconsciousness or sleep. 

 Thus, the processes of alimentation, digestion, absorption, 

 circulation, respiration, assimilation, metabolism, secretion, 

 and excretion, can be, and are effected, without voluntary 

 interference or control, while the processes involved in 

 ovulation and embryonic development are entirely due to 

 sympathetic innervation and vitalisation, and quite un- 

 affected, except it may be in that remarkable, if somewhat 

 doubtful, occurrence of " maternal impressions," by in- 

 fluences emanating from the maternal and passing to the 

 offspring's systemic nervature. 



Tissues composed of " elastic fibres," so called, the 

 vaso-motor musculature of vessels, blood, and lymphatic 

 and ducts, the muscular coat of the alimentary canal, and 

 unstriped muscular structures generally, all respond to 

 the innervating influence of the sympathetic system, and 

 are entirely amenable to its controlling power ; a provision 

 for a dually innervated and controlled organism, the 

 wisdom of which is only too apparent, and the physio- 

 logical purposes of which are rewarded by a rigorous 

 adhesion to the " plans of nature," for the uninterrupted 

 accomplishment of growth and nutrition, and vital opera- 

 tions generally. The sympathetic nervous system may, 

 therefore, be regarded as responsible for the guidance of 

 the performance of all neuro-muscular phenomena, save 



