898 REPORT—18Y9. 
. 
We carried out fourteen experiments with rabbits and three with dogs, all of 
the previously mentioned fluids having been used. 
Ligaturing, either in the neck or in the chest, the arteries to the brain, before, 
or simultaneously with, the beginning of the perfusion, brought on convulsions 
immediately. Even when the perfusion had been begun shortly before the arterial 
blood was completely shut off, it remained impossible to prevent convulsions and 
quickly ensuing death. 
Finally, instead of closing the arteries to the brain, the abdominal aorta, vena 
cava and vena porta were tied off and the heart’s action utilised to pump the liquid 
through the brain, the perfused fluid going into the heart by one jugular and from 
the brain through the other. By this method anzemia could also be induced, con- 
vulsions entirely prevented, and life considerably prolonged. 
As in the experiments with the cold-blooded animals, there was in these also a 
fairly regular disappearance of functions, the intervals appearing to vary with the 
total time of perfusion. With all of the solutions, including serum, both in the 
rabbits and in the dogs, the order of cessation usually was: (a) Respiration ; 
(6) Lid reflex; (c) Nose reflex; (d) Heart beat. 
In some of the experiments, it should be noted, the nose and lid reflexes ceased 
at practically the same instant. In a few, also, it was impossible to determine the 
sequence of termination of these two and respiration. 
In a single special experiment with a small dog (5 kilos), 200 c.c. of blood was 
taken, and an equal quantity of horse serum immediately afterwards was trans- 
fused to take its place. This process was repeated three times at intervals of half 
an hour. After the fourth withdrawal of fluid, the dog ceased to breathe, and 
did not recover when the serum was transfused. Aside from variations in heart 
action and respiration, there were no special functional changes until the end, 
when respiration suddenly ceased, and the other functions quickly disappeared in 
the order of the other experiments. Death was neither preceded nor accompanied 
by convulsions. 
The more important conclusions of this preliminary research are : 
1. When the brain is subjected to acute anzemia produced by the ligature of 
its arteries or by the transfusion of indifferent solutions such as physiological 
saline, Ringer's, Schiicking’s and also serum, its functions are not maintained (and 
convulsions ensue, but may be prevented by producing gradual instead of acute 
angemia). 
2. In gradual anemia of the brain, as induced in these experiments, the 
following functions cease, usually in this order: (a) Respiration; (6) Lid reflex ; 
(c) Nose reflex ; (¢) Heart beat. 
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. On the Innervation of the Thoracic and Abdominal Parts of the 
Gsophagus. By W. Munzere, of Cincinnati. [From the Physio- 
logical Institute of the University of Bern. | 
The course and function of the branches of the superior laryngeal nerve which 
are distributed to the cervical part of the cesophagus are already well known from 
the researches of Liischer. The distribution of the vagi in the thoracic part has, 
so far as we are aware, not been hitherto investigated. 
I have previously shown by dissection the mode of branching of the vagi on 
the cesophagus of the dog and rabbit. 
The functions of these nerves have now been investigated by me in conjunction 
with Professor Kronecker on etherised curarised animals. The following is 
