THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 319 



tation and extra systoles, eructation, aerophagia, gastro 

 intestinal hypersecretion and perspiration. 1 



Vagotonic individuals do not react to suprarenalin, but 

 .01 centigrams of pilocarpin subcutaneously will produce 

 a profuse perspiration. The oculo cardiac reflex is 

 exaggerated. Vagotonia corresponds to an insufficiency 

 of the chromaffin system and co-exists often with an 

 excessive development of the lymphatic system, (sta- 

 tus lymphaticus) . 



3. SYMPATHICOTONIA. It manifests itself by: rapid 

 heart, high blood pressure, emotionability, heat waves, 

 slow digestion, dermographism, absence of sweat, goose 

 flesh, febrile reaction. 



These individuals are not sensitive to pilocarpin. An 

 injection of adrenalin will produce a marked tachycardia, 

 palpitation, trembling, sensation of cold, high blood 

 pressure, appearance of a glycosuria. Sometimes this 

 action is dissociated and only one of these will mani- 

 fest itself. 



Atropin in doses of .0001 grm. will produce a tachy- 

 cardia, mydriasis and stoppage of secretions. The oculo 

 cardiac reflex is absent or in versed. 



II. REACTION OF THE VEGETATIVE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



IN THE COURSE OF DISEASE AND 



VISCERAL AFFECTIONS. 



The notion of vagotonia and sympathicotonia brings a 

 new point of view on pathology. It allows us to systema- 

 tize the symptomatology of functional nervous disturb- 

 ances. It allows therapeutic deductions of great interest 



1 Bauer has observed that there is normally during sleep a periodic physiological 

 vagotonia. The hyperactivity of the vajus is evidenced by a contraction of the pupils, 

 a slowing of the pulse, a tendency to perspire, to nocturnal emissions, an exaggeration 

 of peristalsis, explaining the desire to defecate in most people when they wake up. 

 It enables us to understand also why asthmatic attacks and labor pains occur more 

 frequently at night. 



