on which the action of the heart depends , &c. 6y 
framed to get rid of these objections, some of which imply a 
considerable modification of the original opinion. Several 
writers have maintained, that although the heart is indepen- 
dent of the brain and spinal marrow, it may be subject to 
some peculiar action of its own nerves ; others, that the 
ganglia through which its nerves pass have a power indepen* 
dent of the sensorium commune. Fontana and others have 
maintained, that the nerves of the heart are absolutely use- 
less ; others, that these nerves are distributed on its vessels, 
and do not enter the substance of the heart. Scarpa, how- 
ever, has proved, that nerves are distributed to the heart in 
the same way as to other similar parts.- Nothing can show 
more strikingly the imperfection of our knowledge of this 
important branch of physiology, than that opinions so differ- 
ent, and so destitute of proof, should be maintained by the 
best writers upon it. 
An author has lately appeared, who, among other ingeni- 
ous and important experiments, has made many relating to 
this subject, and arrived at conclusions which have surprised 
physiologists, yet apparently so well supported as to have 
obtained their general assent. M. le Gallois* maintains, that 
by the destruction of the whole or cervical part of the spinal 
marrow, the action of the heart is immediately so debilitated, 
that it is no longer capable of supporting the circulation; 
while by the destruction of the brain, on the contrary, its ac- 
tion is unimpaired : from which he infers, that it is from the 
* Experiences sur la principe de la Vie, notamment sur celui des mouvemens du 
coeur, et sur le siege de ce principe, suivies du Rapport fait a la premiere Classe de 
PInstitut, sur celles relatives aux mouvemens du cceur, par M. le Gallo is, Doct. 
en Med. Sec. Paris, 1812. 
K 2 
