THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 271 



THERE ARE NO PARTICULAR ANATOMICAL SENSORY VEGE- 

 TATIVE TRACTS IN THE VEGETATIVE SYSTEM. THERE 

 ARE ONLY DIFFERENT DEGREES OF STIMULATIONS. 



This explains all the physiopathological phenomena of 

 vegetative sensation. We know for instance, and we will 

 understand why it is that the intestines can be cut without 

 pain, while pain will be severe if the intestines are dis- 

 tended, pulled or stimulated by a chemical agent, either 

 acid or base. 



The explanation is easy. As long as we do not enter 

 the field of ordinary stimulation to which the vegetative 

 tissue is accustomed, these tissues do not respond, just 

 as in life we do not salute somebody we do not know. 



Another example: Let us stimulate a vegetative tissue, 

 using one of its usual stimuli, and to use a more concrete 

 example, let us say that we stimulate the intestinal mucosa 

 with a small quantity of an acid or a base. We will then 

 notice, that as long as we stay within the usual limits of 

 intensity, the only response will be motor or secretory, 

 without any conscious sensation. 



As in the previous case, the explanation is easy. As 

 long as we stay within the quantity limits of usual stimuli 

 only motor or secretory reflects are produced. 



Finally let us again stimulate vegetative tissue with a 

 strong chemical reagent. On top of the motor and 

 secretory reflex we will find that a pain sensation will 

 appear; this means that the exaggeration In quantity 

 of the stimulus is a pathological condition, and is the 

 cause of the pathological sensation of pain. 



It is not, therefore, necessary to suggest the presence of a 

 gastric ulceration to explain pain due to hyperchlorhydria, 

 simple hyperacidity is sufficient; the same theory of origin 

 of visceral sensation will explain the origin of pain, in 



