PHYSIOLOGY OF GLANDULAR SECRETION. 263 



organ contains, as inherent source of energy, either endogenous 

 products with which the oxidizing substance combines, or cellu- 

 lar structures whose metabolism is sustained by the oxidizing 

 substance. This is a question, however, that will be taken up 

 as each organ is studied. 



The classic subdivision into two great systems, cerebro- 

 spinal and sympathetic, seems to us, therefore, to be subject 

 to modification. Indeed this subdivision has always been an 

 artificial one, since at all times some connection or other with 

 the cerebro-spinal axis, whether it be associated with borrowed 

 or direct impulses, has always had to be considered as a factor 

 of its functions. This is well illustrated in a comprehensive 

 paper, in which the functions of the sympathetic system are 

 ably reviewed, by B. Onuf (Onufrowicz) and James Collins, 7 

 who refer to tonic vascular contraction as follows: "It has been 

 shown that many nerves of the sympathetic system are under 

 the tonic influence of spinal or cerebral centers. Section of 

 the cervical sympathetic nerve is followed by dilation of the 

 blood-vessels of the head; section of the abdominal sympathetic 

 by dilation of the blood-vessels of the hind-paws; section of 

 both splanchnics by the same phenomena in the stomach and 

 the intestine. Severance of the nerves connecting the sub- 

 maxillary ganglion with its encephalic center gave rise to an 

 increasing continuous secretion of the submaxillary glands, 

 proving the regulatory influence of the cerebro-spinal system 

 upon the submaxillary ganglion (Claude Bernard)." 



If we now recall the limitations of the adrenal system 

 described in the last chapter, i.e., the triad: thyroid, anterior 

 pituitary, and adrenals, and particularly the connection be- 

 tween the two latter organs through the chain of sympathetic 

 ganglia and the splanchnic nerves, the following remarks of 

 the same authors are especially interesting: "Regarding the 

 tonic influence of ganglia of the sympathetic itself, the views 

 still differ. . . . We know, however, that the heart re- 

 moved from the body still continues to beat, and that the 

 bladder deprived of motor nerves leading to it continues to 

 perform its functions." They also refer to the observations 



7 B. Onuf and James Collins: Archives of Neurology and Psychology, vol. 

 iii, Nos. 1 and 2, 1900. 



