17 



Another kind of disturbance of nutrition occurred in these 

 animals : they lost the hair of the leg, and of the other parts in 

 which the sensibility was diminished. 



6. It is known tliat erection is a frequent phenomenon in men 

 after a fracture or a luxation of the vertebral column. It is 

 known also, that in men hanged, erection and even ejaculation 

 are not uncommon. Segalas says he has seen these phenomena 

 produced by the excitation of the spinal cord. Longet (loco 

 cit., p. 201,) declares that he has not seen the excitation of the 

 cord producing such effects. It is very easy to ascertain, on 

 male guinea-pigs, that Segalas is right. 



1st. A transverse section of the spinal cord always produces 

 an erection and an ejaculation. 



2d. When one of these animals is asphyxiated, erection and 

 ejaculation take place. 



3d. If the spinal cord is galvanized, erection and ejaculation 

 are produced. 



These facts prove the influence of the spinal marrow on the 

 seminal vesicles. They empty themselves slowly when the cord 

 is galvanized. 



In asphyxia, there are universal convulsions even in the mus- 

 cles of organic life, as uterus, intestine, etc. These last organs 

 are then put in contraction, and it is not astonishing, conse- 

 quently, that the seminal vesicles become also contracted. The 

 cause of these general contractions is the excitation of the spinal 

 cord by venous blood, and very probably by a large amount of 

 carbonic acid, as I will elsewhere try to demonstrate. 



IV. ON THE REPARATIVE POWER OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



I have recently published in this journal* the results of my re- 

 searches on the reparative power of the spinal cord. From these 

 researches I have drawn the following conclusions : 



1st. That the spinal marrow, even in adult mammalia, may be 

 exposed to the action of the air without danger to the life of the 

 animal. 



2d. That wounds of the spinal marrow may be repaired. 



* Med. Exam., No. vi., June, 1852, p. 379. 



2* 



