THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF LOCALIZED FARADIZATION. 163 



longitiidiDal section of the wall of an umbilical artery, at the 

 base of the cord, magnified 700 diameters. We see at 1 1, says 

 M. Gimbert, muscular fibres implanted in an amorphous matter, 

 homogeneous and transparent, like grains of oats imbedded in a 

 homogeneous and elastic mass, and also horizontal fibres cut 

 transversely. 



M. Gimbert has found this anatomical arrangement in several 

 arteries, and he purposes to search for it in the capillaries. Mani- 

 festly, if it were general, the question of the mechanism of the 

 active dilatation of vessels would be singularly simplified, and 

 would be almost as firmly established as that of the vaso-motor 

 constrictors. 



The hypothesis of longitudinal muscular fibres destined to 

 produce active dilatation is therefore verified, at least for certain 

 vessels. And what other purpose could they serve than to shorten 

 the vessels, and, consequently, to dilate them? Is it not an 

 established fact in physics that the capacity of an elastic tube 

 diminishes or increases, accordingly as it is extended or shortened 

 longitudinally? The arteries seem to favour these changes of 

 capacity by their structure, by the fact of their lengthening or 

 shortening. May it not, indeed, be the case that the elastic 

 elements are, under the form of fibres, the fundamental portion of 

 the middle coat, and that they are arranged in all directions? 



In conclusion, notwithstanding the obscurity and the differences 

 of opinion which at present prevail with regard to the mechanism 

 of active dilatation of local blood-vessels, the fact of the active 

 dilatation of vessels, at least as regards some of them, is, even 

 anatomically, perfectly established in my eyes. If it were not so, 

 I should still say, with M. Schifi", "It would be bold to deny 

 an observed fact, even although we may not understand its 

 mechanism." 



It is by admitting the generalization of this important physio- 

 logical fact, brought to light chiefly by M. CI. Bernard (the active 

 dilatation of vessels), that I have been able to render an explana- 

 tion not only of the active hypersemia produced immediately by 

 localized faradization, in the treatment of paralysis consecutive to 

 lesions of the spinal centre, or of the nerves proceeding from it, 

 but also of one of the principal therapeutic results, appreciable 

 between the applications; namely, the augmentation of the 

 activity of the local circulation, and of the tonic force of the 

 vessels, appreciable especially by the reappearance, from develop- 

 ment, of the cutaneous veins, and from the coloration and 

 the normal temperature of the skin, without complication with 

 hypersemia. 



M 2 



