PART I.] 



Effects of Section of the Splanchnic Nerves. 



135 



The following cases have been selected from among these experiments as being 

 the most interesting of them : — 



Experiment I {No. 5). — A healthy young pariah dog was put under the influence 

 of chloroform, and both splanchnic nerves were divided. The administration of 

 chloroform was then continued for half an hour longer, and the animal subsequently 

 killed. The mucous membrane of the small intestines was not in the least congested; 

 it was, on the contrary, pale and dry-looking, and the cavity of the gut was absolutely 

 devoid of any fluid whatever. 



Experiment II {No. 7). — A large healthy pariah dog having been put 

 under the influence of chloroform, the right splanchnic nerve was divided. The 

 animal was killed 9^ hours after the operation and a post-morteTn examination 

 performed at once. The external surface of the intestines was somewhat congested, 

 and there was a little absolute peritonitis in the neighbourhood of the wound, but 

 there was hardly any fluid in the abdominal cavity. Although no evacuations had 

 been passed subsequent to the operation, the intestines were found to be empty, 

 and their mucous surface pale and dry. The bladder was full of urine, secreted 

 since the operation. This was carefully examined, and was found to contain a trace 

 of albumen, but no evidence of the presence of sugar could be detected in it. 



Experiment III {No. 8). — A healthy pariah dog of average size was put under 

 the influence of chloroform, and both greater splanchnic nerves were divided. Ten 

 hours afterwards chloroform was again administered, and the administration continued 

 until death occurred. An immediate post-mortem examination was performed, the 

 abdomen being opened before circulation had ceased. The intestines were pale 

 externally, and the mesentery only here and there showed any evidences of peritonitic 

 action. The intestines were empty, and the mucous membrane dry ; in greater part 



