148 DR RUTHERFORD ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE VAGUS, ETC. 



the pulse if it be given after division of the vagi. Unhappily this is untrue. I 

 have more than once noticed that if atropia sulphate be administered to rabbits 

 and dogs after division of the vagi, a decided acceleration of the pulse was the 

 result. For example — 



Experiment LIV. — I clivided the vagi of a rabbit, and after waiting five 

 minutes, I counted the pulse and found it 228 in the minute. I then very 

 slowly injected 50 milligrammes of atropia sulphate dissolved in one cubic centi- 

 metre of water into the jugular vein. The speed of the pulse at once rose to 

 258 in a minute. Ten minutes afterwards the pulse was 240 in the minute. I 

 then gave another dose of 25 milligrammes atropia sulphate dissolved in half a 

 cubic centimetre of water. The pulse very rapidly rose to 270. The blood- 

 pressure was slightly diminished by these doses. It therefore appears that 

 atropia may stimulate the cardio-motor nerve apparatus as well as paralyse the 

 cardio-inhibitory nerves, and so we cannot trust this substance to indicate the 

 times of action and inaction of the cardio-inhibitory nerves. 



Much that is obscure yet remains in connection with the innervation of 

 vascular system, but I venture to think that the researches detailed in the 

 foregoing communication clear away not a little fallacious dross from this 

 matter, while they likewise fill up some important blanks, and thereby render 

 more complete our knowledge of this complicated and recondite subject. 



