THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 297 



the nervous control of the true sympathetic is much more 

 restricted than that exerted by the vagus and the pel- 

 vic plexus. 



The English have shown that the true sympathetic 

 controls all the sphincters of the large intestines, all those 

 of the small intestines and some of those of the stomach. 10 

 In these regions this system gives off excito-motor impulses 

 to the sphincters and inhibitory impulses to the rest of 

 the tube. 



As regards the part played by the true sympathetic in 

 the upper portion of the gastro intestinal tract (cardiac, 

 esophageal) this has not as yet been elucidated. We can, 

 however, infer until further proof that: the superior limit 

 of control of the true sympathetic passes by the stomach. 



In spite of its importance this question has not yet been 

 settled. Cannon has thrown some light on the subject. He 

 showed that the stomach is made up of two distinct portions ; 

 the cardiac portion is a passive cavity for the reception 

 of food, and the pyloric portion which is the active 

 portion of the stomach, the one that generates the peris- 

 taltic movements which cause the food to be propelled 

 into the intestines. 



Cannon furthermore has shown that the limit of the two 

 portions of the stomach is at the level of the gastric car- 

 diac notch (since the movements of the stomach begin 

 exactly at that point). 



Finally, Cannon has demon t rated, and so have other 

 physiologists, that the excito-motor, as well as the inhibi- 

 tory enervation of the cardiac portion of the stomach and 

 its sphincter is controlled by the vagus and the vagus alone; 

 while the pyloric portion is enervated both by the true 



10 In regards to the pylorus there is a double enervation, but the part played by the 

 sympathetic stimulation cannot be denied, if we only consider the direct physiological 

 effect and keep in mind the local mechanism. 



