ORIGIN AND CIRCULATION OP THE NERVOUS INFLUENCE. 355 
agents of this nature, either in glanders or scarlatina. To 
the employment of creosote (which is, perhaps, the most 
powerful of the w r hole class), the offensive odour and burning 
nauseous taste of that drug offer an insuperable objection in 
all cases affecting children ; and, I may add, that another 
powerful antiseptic, acetic acid, which was highly recom- 
mended a few years since in cases of scarlatina maligna, has 
proved a failure, and, I believe, is now pretty well discarded 
by the profession. The principal object of the exhibition of 
constitutional remedies in typhoid conditions of the system, 
whether that condition be the result of the absorption of 
glanders poison, scarlatina virus, or other materies morbi, 
appears, I imagine, to be clearly indicated, viz., to rouse the 
sinking pow ers, and sustain the vital forces, by the exhibition 
of appropriate stimulants given methodically and effectually : 
and not, as is too frequently the case, in such a manner that 
the cure is ahvays beginning, and never progressing. In 
conclusion, permit me to throw out the suggestion : Does not 
the remedy which I have been advocating (namely, carbonate 
of ammonia in large doses) promise to be more efficacious 
than any hitherto tried in instances of poisoning by dissection 
wounds : at all events, does it not merit a fair and proper 
trial in future cases ? 
Kensall Town, London; March, 1854. 
ON THE ORIGIN AND CIRCULATION OE THE NERYOUS 
1NELUENCE. 
By John M. Straciian, M.D. 
The question of the identity of the nervous influence with 
galvanic electricity has long been much disputed amongst 
physiologists, and much talent has been arrayed on both 
sides. A great deal of the difficulty in which the question 
has been involved appears to have been caused by the want 
of a clear understanding of the source whence the influence is 
derived. This is a point which, although of great interest 
and importance, has never been clearly established, and per- 
haps has never been properly investigated. Wishing to 
confine myself to this point, I shall, in the following remarks, 
take it for granted that the identity of the nervous influence 
with electricity is admitted. 
The most prevalent opinion regarding the origin of the 
nervous influence is that it is generated in the brain and other 
nervous centres, and distributed through the body by the 
nerves. Before, however, we can be satisfied with this view, 
it is necessary to ascertain that the nervous centres can pro- 
