BY DR. LAUDER BRUNTOX. 525 



the animal left for four or five hours. It is then killed, and 

 the intestines examined. The part of which the nerves have 

 been divided is found perfectly full of fluid, while the piece on 

 each side of it is empty. The fluid contained in the distended 

 loop has been ascertained by Kiihne to resemble in composition 

 diluted intestinal juice. 



177. Movements of the Intestine. The influence of 

 the nervous system on the movements of the intestine has not 

 yet been completely investigated. Peristaltic action is in all 

 probability produced by the ganglia in the intestinal walls, as 

 it continues in an excised portion ; but it may be increased by 

 the action of the vagi, and lessened or arrested by the splanch- 

 nics. The ganglia are stimulated and movements excited by 

 the presence of venous blood in the intestinal vessels (Maier 

 and Von Basch), or their distension by arterial blood (Nasse). 

 The splanchnics are inhibitory nerves for the intestine, and 

 its movements are arrested by their irritation (Pfliiger and 

 Westphal). At a certain period after death, however, they ex- 

 cite movements (Ludwig and Spiess). It is uncertain whether 

 they exert an inhibitory action directly on the ganglia as the 

 vagus does in the heart, or act only indirectly through the ab- 

 sence of blood which they produce by causing contraction of 

 the vessels. For a description of the method of showing the 

 action of the splanchnics, see Ludwig and Spiess ; Sitzungsbe- 

 richte der Wiener Academic, xxv. 1857, p. 580. Their inhibi- 

 tory power is said by Koliker to be destroyed by curare, and 

 the writer has been unable to observe it in several experiments 

 on animals narcotized by chloral. Irritation of the vagi causes 

 movements of the intestine, beginning in the stomach. This 

 occurs only occasionally when one or both splanchnics are in- 

 tact, but almost invariably after both have been divided 

 (Houckgeest). In performing this experiment, as well as 

 others on the intestine, it is advisable to employ Sanclers-Ezn's 

 method, of opening the abdomen under f per cent, salt solution 

 warmed to 35 C., in order to avoid the irritation to the intes- 

 tines which is occasioned by their exposure to air. For this 

 purpose, a bath of tin or zinc, 32 inches long, by 9J broad, and 

 8^ deep, provided wiih a Geissler's regulator at one end, is 

 used. Into this thirty-five litres of water at 35 C. are poured, 

 and sufficient salt added to make a f per cent, solution. In- 

 stead of measuring out the water each time, it is more conven- 

 ient to mark on the sides of the bath the height to which it 

 should be filled. The animal, being laid on a piece of board 

 with Czermak's holder attached to it, instead of the usual sup- 

 port, is placed in the bath, and the lower end of the board is 

 kept immersed by attaching a weight to it. For detailed ex- 

 periments with this method, see Houckgeest Pfliiger's Archiv. 

 vi. p. 2GG. 



