432 FANCIED FUNCTIONS OF 



thought to possess nerves. I cannot but believe the blood pos- 

 sessed of vitality ; and, if it be not, still a clot of fibrine sponta- 

 neously becomes vascular without the aid of nerves, though 

 they may be subsequently produced. Muscles, after the division 

 of the nerves which connect them with the encephalon or spinal 

 chord, contract equally as before, when irritated ; nay, if they 

 are over-excited by any means and exhausted, and are then allowed 

 repose, they absolutely recover themselves and obey the stimulus 

 again. In animals liable to torpor, the season of torpidity pro- 

 duces its effects equally upon those muscles whose encephalo- 

 spinal nerves have been divided, and equally if the encephalon 

 and spinal chord, &c. are destroyed. In sleep and even coma, the 

 action of the heart, &c. continues ; and, even after the removal or 

 gradual destruction of the encephalon, spinal chord, or encephalo- 

 spinal nerves, the heart still continues to act and the blood to 

 circulate, provided respiration is artificially supported 5 , for 

 respiration depends upon the excitement of the muscles by 

 means of nerves of motion springing from the cervical portion 

 of the spinal chord, and these nerves are excited through the 

 sensation of the want of respiration, conveyed to the chorda 

 oblongata, as Dr. Brachet makes probable, by the pneumono- 

 gastric pair, which appears to give sensibility to the pha- 

 rynx, larynx, oesophagus, stomach, and lungs c , parts in all 



b Duverney, whose experiments on a pigeon in 1673 I mentioned at page 421., 

 also removed the cerebrum from a dog, without a fatal result for some time : the 

 removal of the cerebellum was instantly fatal. Yet, by instituting -artificial re- 

 spiration, he sustained life for an hour after the removal of the cerebellum. In 

 one experiment, the dog " lived twenty-four hours, and his heart beat well." 

 The instantly fatal result of the division of the spinal chord he prevented also by 

 artificial respiration, and found that the motion of the heart continued and the 

 animal could move his body. (Phil. Trans, vol. xix.) 



Spallanzani removed the brain, without injury to the organic functions. (Ex- 

 periences sur la Circulation: ouvrage traduit de 1'Italien, p. 377. Geneve, 1783.) 

 Fontana injured the brain and spinal chord with no more effect. (Sur le Venin 

 de la Viplre. Florence, 1781, t. ii. p. 169.) 



Experiments, &c., by A. P. Wilson Philip, M.D., and Wm. Clift, Philos. 

 Trans. 1815. 



Also, Experimental Inquiry, by the former. London, 1826. 3d edit. Dr. 

 Brachet has lately repeated these experiments upon warm and cold blooded 

 animals. (Rech. Exper. p. 73. sq.) 



And lastly, Fleurens, Memoires de FAcad. des Sc. t.x. 1830. 



c Dr. Le Gallois ( Experiences sur le Principe de la Vie, p. 247. sqq. 1812) 

 first pointed out that a perfectly anencephalous foetus cannot live after birth, 



