780 REPORT— 1902. 



extended in a histological direction so as to determine the chemical meaning of 

 various staining reactions presented by normal and abnormal structures in the 

 brain and spinal cord ; it extended in an experimental direction in the elucida- 

 tion of the phenomena of fatigue, and to ascertain whether there was any differ- 

 ence in medullated and non-medullated nerve fibres in this respect ; it extended into 

 what one may call a pharmacological direction in the investigation of the action 

 of the poisonous products of the breakdown of nervous tissues. I think I have 

 said enough to show you how intimate are the connections of the chemical with 

 the other aspects of physiologj^ and although 1 have given you but one instance, 

 that which is freshest to my mind, the same could be said for almost any other 

 well-planned piece of research work of a bio-chemical nature. 



We have now before us the real work of the Section, the reading, hearing, and 

 seeing the researches which will be brought forward by members of the Associa- 

 tion, and I must, in thanking you for your attention, apologise for the length of 

 time I have kept you from these more important matters. 



The following Papers were read : — ■ 



1. The Hydrolysis of Glycogen. 

 By W. A. OsBORXE, D.Sc, and S. Zobel. 



2. On tlie Innervation and Movements of the Stomach. 

 By W. Page May, If.D. 



3. The Functions of the Rods and Cones of the Retina. 

 By F. W. Edridge-Green, M.D. 



FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. On the Diuretic Action of Pituitary Extracts. 

 By Professor E. A. Schafer, F.R.S. 



2. On the Relative Effects of Section of the Pyramidal Tracts and Anterior 

 Columns in the Monkey. By Professor E. A. Schafer, F.R.S. 



The experiments show that section either of the pyramidal tracts in the 

 medulla oblongata or of the anterior columns of the spinal cord is followed by 

 paralysis of voluntary motion in the parts of the body below the section. Since 

 the descending fibres of the anterior columns are in the main derived from the 

 cells of Deiters' nucleus in the medulla oblongata, and Deiters' nucleus is, on the 

 other hand, related to the part of the auditory nerve which is connected to the 

 semicircular canals, and since further destruction of the semicircular canals has 

 been proved to be followed by loss of tone of the muscles of the body, it seems 

 probable that the effect of section of the anterior columns in causing paralysis is 

 also due to loss of tone, in the same way that section of the posterior roots of the 

 nerves supplying a limb may cause voluntary paralysis of the muscles of that 

 limb by producing loss of tone in the motor nerve cells. 



