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On the Electromotive Properties of Muscle, [June 14, 



VI. "Correction of Statement in the ' Note on the Electromotive 

 Properties of Muscle/ read December 14, 1876/' In a Letter 

 to Prof. Huxley, by Dr. Burdon Sanderson, P.R.S. Re- 

 ceived June 14, 1877. 



Dear Sir,-— In a short Xote which I communicated to the Royal 

 Society in December last I gave an account of certain observations relating 

 to the electromotive phenomena of the uninjured gastrocnemius muscle 

 of the frog. In commenting on these results I was led, I need not say 

 unintentionally, to make a serious misstatement of the doctrine taught 

 by Prof, clu Bois-Reymond with reference to these phenomena. After 

 comparing the electromotive properties of the muscle-cylinder derived 

 from the gastrocnemius with those of the typical muscle-cylinder, as set 

 forth in the " Law of the Muscle-current," I stated that the phenomena, 

 as they actually present themselves, had not been correctly described. It 

 is this statement that I desire to correct. 



Shortly after the publication of my " JSTote " the magnificent collection 

 of scientific papers* in which Prof, du Bois-Reymond has brought 

 together his electrophysiological researches appeared. The work had not 

 long been in my possession before I became much more strongly impressed 

 than I had been before with the extent and completeness of the investi- 

 gations to which he has devoted the last thirty-five years. My attention 

 was particularly directed to the paper, ~No. XVII. of the series, " Leber 

 das Gesetz des Muskelstromes mit besonderer Beriicksichtigung des M. 

 Gastrocnemius vom Prosch/' In this very important research, with which, 

 although it was originally published in 1863, I was, I regret to say, only 

 acquainted at second hand, Du Bois-Reymond not only recognized the 

 electromotive anomalies of the gastrocnemius, but explained them in the 

 most elaborate manner as dependent on its peculiarities of structure. 



I at once became aware of the mistake I had made, and recognized the 

 necessity of correcting it ; but determined to defer doing so until I was 

 in a position to communicate further observations on the collateral ques- 

 tion with which I was more particularly concerned. As, however, Prof, 

 du Bois-Reyinond, in a letter just received, has expressed his wish that 

 the misrepresentation of his views, for which I have so unwillingly made 

 myself responsible, should be corrected as soon as possible, I write you 

 this letter in the hop 3 that the Society may allow it to be printed in the 

 ' Proceedings.' You will see that my communication relates, not to the 

 facts recorded, but exclusively to the views expressed as to their supposed 

 inconsistency with the " Law." 



I may, in conclusion, add that any reader who may desire to become 

 acquainted with. Prof, du Bois-Reymond's explanation of the electromo- 



* ' Gesammelte Abkancllimgen zur allgemeinen Muskel- und iNerrenphysik,' von E. 

 du Bois-Eevinond, Bel. ii., Leipzig. 1877. 



