THOEACIC AND ABDOMINAL SYMPATHETIC. 623 



6. Sweat-secretory fibres (see 288, II.). 



7. According to Wolferz and Demtschenko the lachrymal glands receive sympa- 

 thetic secretory fibres (?). 



B. Thoracic and Abdominal Sympathetic. First of all there is 



1. The sympathetic portion of the cardiac plexus ( 57, 2), which receives 

 accelerating or augmentor fibres for the heart from the lower cervical and 1st 

 thoracic ganglion (CI. Bernard, v. Bezold, Cyon, Schmiedeberg). The fibres arise 

 partly from the sympathetic and partly from the plexus around the vertebral artery 

 (v. Bezold, Bever). (Compare 370.) 



2. For the vaso-motor fibres passing through the sympathetic to the extremities, 

 skin of the trunk, and lungs (see 371). For vaso-dilators ( 472). 



3. The cervical sympathetic and the splanchnic contain fibres which, when their 

 central ends are stimulated, excite the cardio-inhibitory system in the medulla 

 oblongata (Bernstein). 



4. The functions of the splanchnic are referred to in 164, 175, 276, and 371. 



5. The functions of the cceliac and mesenteric plexuses are referred to in 

 183 and 192. After extirpation of the cceliac ganglion, Lamansky observed 

 temporary disturbance of digestion, undigested food being passed per anum. 



6. For the secretory fibres for sweating, see 289, II. 



7. Lastly, the abdominal portion of the sympathetic contains motor and vaso- 

 motor fibres for the spleen, the large intestine (accompanying its arteries), bladder 

 ( 280), ureters, uterus (running in the hypogastric plexus), vas deferens, and 

 vesiculae seminales. Stimulation of all of these nerve channels causes increased 

 movement of the organs, "but it must be remembered that the diminished supply of 

 blood thereby produced also acts as a stimulus ( 161). Section of these nerves is 

 followed by dilatation of the blood-vessels, with subsequent derangement of the 

 circulation, and ultimately of the nutrition. The relation of the suprarenal 

 bodies to the sympathetic is referred to in 103, IV. The renal plexus is referred 

 to in 276, while the cavernous plexus is treated of in 436. 



Pathological. Considering the numerous connections of the sympathetic, we would naturally 

 suppose that it offers an extensive area for pathological changes. Affections involving the vaso- 

 motor system are referred to in 371. 



The cervical sympathetic is most frequently paralysed or stimulated by traumatic conditions, 

 wounds by bullets or knives, tumours, enlarged lymph -glands, aneurisms, inflammation of the 

 apices of the lungs and the adjacent pleura?, while exostoses of the vertebrae may stimulate it in 

 part or paralyse it in part. The phenomena so produced have been partly analysed in treating 

 of the ciliary ganglion ( 347, I.). Stimulation of the cervical sympathetic in man causes 

 dilatation of the pupil (mydriasis spastica), palor of the face, and occasionally hyperidrosis or 

 profuse sweating ( 289, 2, and 288); disturbance of vision for near objects, as the pupil 

 cannot be contracted (see Accommodation), and hence the spherical aberration of the lens 

 ( 391) must also interfere with vision ; protrusion of the eyeball with widening of the palpebral 

 hssure. Paralysis or section of the cervical sympathetic causes increased fulness of the blood- 

 vessels of the side of the head, with occasional anidrosis ; contraction of the pupil (myosis 

 paralytica), which undergoes changes in its diameter during accommodation, but not as the 

 effect of the stimulation of light atropin dilates it slightly. The slit between the eyelids is 

 narrowed, the eyeball retracted and sunk in the orbit, the cornea somewhat flattened, and the 

 consistence of the eyeball diminished. Stimulation of the sympathetic is followed by an 

 increased secretion of saliva ( 145). The above described symptoms have been occasionally 

 accompanied by unilateral atrophy of the face. 



[Section of the Cervical Sympathetic. This experiment is easily done on a 

 rabbit, preferably an albino one. Divide the nerve in the neck, and immediately 

 thereafter (1) the ear and adjoining parts on that side become greatly congested 

 with blood, blood-vessels appear that were formerly not visible, and as a result of 

 the increased quantity of blood in the ear (hyperemia), there is (2) a rise of the 

 temperature amounting to even 4 to 6 C. (CI. Bernard). These are the vaso- 

 motor changes. (3) The pupil is contracted, the cornea flattened, and there is 

 retraction of the eyeball and consequent narrowing of the palpebral fissure. These 



