CHAPTER XIV. 



THE SYMPATHETIC, CRANIO-PELVIC SYSTEM, 

 AUTONOMIC SYSTEMS, ENDOCRINE GLANDS. 



Without a clear understanding of the morphology and 

 physiology of the sympathetic system, it is absolutely 

 impossible to understand its pathology and still less its; 

 clinical manifestations. It is the same in this system as 

 in the central nervous system, and we know from experi- 

 ence how impossible it is to study nervous diseases without 

 at least a fair knowledge of the anatomy and physiology 

 of the nerve centers and their peripheral dependencies. 



But, while as regards the central nervous system, text 

 books are numerous as to its physiology and anatomy, 

 when we come to the nervous system of vegetative life 

 there is so far no book that is really up to date on this subject. 



Having for some time now studied this problem, I have 

 condensed in one volume, 1 the facts that are available 

 on the subject. This avoids my going into detail into 

 certain phases of the subject which are exposed and 

 described in this other book, and which, because of their 

 length cannot be logically included in this work. 



The plan of this chapter, because of its position in this 

 volume, has to be more specifically adapted to the general 

 character of the book. 



In the present chapter I have primarily attempted to 

 indicate the anatomical and physiological facts, which are 

 absolutely necessary to the understanding of disturbances 

 caused by changes of the sympathetic and associated 

 systems. These disturbances are taken up in a follow- 

 ing chapter by Dr. Harvier. 1 have allowed myself only 



1 Le sympathique et les systemes associSs: Masson Edit. Paris, 1920. 



253 



