41 



1. The circulation of blood continues as well as in un- 

 mutilated frogs. The beatings of the heart are at -first quick- 

 ened generally during half an hour, an hour or an hour and a 

 half, after the operation; they then return to their normal 

 rhythm, and they are found as regular and vigorous in frogs de- 

 prived of their medulla oblongata, for several days or even 

 several months, as in healthy frogs. Sometimes, particularly 

 when the hemorrhage has been considerable, the beatings of the 

 heart become less numerous and less energetic ; then the animal 

 dies very quickly, but if it lives, the movements of the heart re- 

 suiae before long their normal rhythm and strength. 



2. The pulsations of the four lymphatic hearts take place as in 

 healthy frogs. 



8. Digestion seems to be carried on as well and as quickly in 

 frogs without medulla oblongata as in healthy frogs. I have 

 ascertained this fact by introducing pieces of earth-worms into 

 the stomach of these animals, and by studying the changes pro- 

 duced in these aliments during their passage along the digestive 

 canal. Although very slow, chymous transformation, absorp- 

 tion and the production of faeces took place. 



4. The products of the gastric, intestinal, biliary and pan- 

 creatic secretions being very useful, if not essential to digestion, 

 it is very probable that these secretions exist. 



5. The urinary secretion and also the production of cutaneous 

 and intestinal epithelium, are performed as usual. 



6. The pulmonary respiration ceases, but the cutaneous respi- 

 ration is continued. The absorption of poisons by the skin and 

 by the mucous membranes exists as in healthy frogs. 



7. The reflex faculty is energetic, and so much so that the 

 frogs deprived of the medulla oblongata can raise by a reflex 

 action, greater weights than healthy frogs. As reflex movements 

 exist, I need not say that muscles and nerves have kept 

 their vital properties. It is frequently found that the spinal 

 cord, especially in the rana temporaries, becomes so excitable 

 that the slightest irritation of the skin is followed by tetanic 

 convulsions. 



8. The galvanic current of muscles not only exists in frogs 

 deprived of medulla oblongata, but appears to be stronger. 



From these facts it results clearly that frogs, deprived of 



