u ^02 ^ 
VIII. Experiments and Observations on the influence of the Nerves 
of the eighth Pair on the Secretions of the Stomach. By B. C. 
Brodie, Esq. F. R. S. Communicated by the Society for the 
Promotion of Animal Chemistry. 
Read February lo, 1814. 
In a paper formerly communicated to this Society by Sir 
Everard Home, and since published in the Philosophical 
Transactions for the year 1809, some facts were stated which 
render it probable that the various animal secretions are depen- 
dent on the influence of the nervous system, and this opinion 
seemed to derive support from some physiological experi- 
ments which were afterwards instituted by myself, and in 
which it was observed, that after the functions of the brain had 
been destroyed, although the action of the heart continued, 
and the circulation of the blood was maintained as under or- 
dinary circumstances, the secreting organs invariably ceased 
to perform their office. 
It has been attempted by former physiologists to determine 
how far the nerves are necessary to secretion, but there are 
considerable obstacles in the way of this inquiry, and no ob- 
servations, that have been hitherto made, appear to throw a 
great deal of light on the subject. The only method, which 
can be devised, of ascertaining by direct experiment, whether 
the nerves are really necessary to secretion, is that of divid- 
ing the nervous branches by which the glands are supplied. 
