THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 323 



stomach, accompanied by phenomena which usually 

 are the results of an irritation of the solar plexus. 



These patients nearly always complain of dyspeptic 

 symptoms. These consist mainly in a sensation of fulness. 

 Digestion is slow and there is a tendency to sleep. Outside 

 of the cases associated with ptosis, the size of the stomach 

 is normal. The chemical reaction of the juices will vary 

 and X-ray will not reveal anything abnormal. 



These dyspeptic manifestations are accompanied 

 with cardiac, respiratory, vaso-motor and secre- 

 tory disturbances. 



Cardiac symptoms predominate. These consist in 

 palpitations, precordial distress, vertigo, buzzing of the 

 ears, pulsations of the neck and head. The heart is rapid 

 and the arterial tension unstable. 



The respiratory disturbances which these patients com- 

 plain of are characterized by a sensation of discomfort and 

 oppression. The respirations are often interrupted by a 

 sigh followed by a pause. 



The vaso-motor disturbances manifest themselves most 

 commonly by vaso-dilatation phenomena; waves of heat, 

 erythema, dermographism or vaso-constriction, coolness, 

 cyanosis, numbness, and a prickling sensation. The 

 secretory disturbances consist of a state of perma- 

 nent moisture. 



This syndrome, more or less complete, appears in the 

 shape of paroxysms caused, either by digestion, emotions 

 or fatigue. Raymond and Carrie consider this as a state of 

 disequilibrium of the sympathetic innervation. 



Loeper and Mougeot, basing themselves on pharma- 

 codynamic changes and ocular compression, have shown 

 that gastric neuroses belong either to the vagotonic or 

 sympathicotonic group or to both types. The vagotonic 

 patient is nearly always a young individual having early 



