ON CONNECTING FIBRES BETWEEN SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA 



AND 



ON REFLEXES IN THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 



by J. N. LANGLEY 



FELLOW OF TRINITV COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE 



In an earlier paper (1) I hâve contended that the nerve-cells of onc 

 sympathetic ganglion do not send nerve fibres to the nerve-cells of any 

 other sympathetic ganglion; and that the réflexes whicli can be obtained 

 within the limits of the sympathetic System are not due to stimulation of 

 afférent fibres, but to stimulation of efferent fibres sending branches to the 

 nerve-cells of more than ono ganglion. That certain cases of apparent 

 réflexes in the sympathetic System could be explained solely by référence to 

 efTerent fibres had been shown still earlier by Dr H. K. Anderson and 

 myself (2). 



I propose hère to give an account of some experiments upon the superior 

 and inferior cervical ganglion and upon the stellate ganglion. 



The superior cervical ganglion and the ganglion stellatum. — If the 

 nerve-cells of the superior cervical ganglion send nerve fibres to the nerve- 

 cells of the stellate ganglion, stimulation of the central, i. e. the tho- 

 racic end ot the cervical sympathetic should cause some of the effects 

 which are under the control of the stellate ganglion. I hâve stated earlier 

 [op. cit.) that such efl"ects are not produced. T hâve made some further 

 observations on ihis point in the cat, in ail fifteen (3). The eff'ects looked 

 for were érection of hair over the lower cervical and upper thoracic 

 vertébrée, sécrétion and pallor of the pads of the fore-foot, accélération and 

 augmentation of the heart beat, and a variation of blood pressure. The 

 condition of the hairs was observed in ail the experiments, the state of the 



(1) A Short account of the Sympathetic System, 1895. 



(2) Langley and Anderson. Journ. of PhysioL, XVI, p. 435, d894. 



(3) AU the experiments referred to this communleation were made on cats anœsthe- 

 tised with A. C. E. mixturCi 



