MR. T. SNOW BECK ON THE NERVES OF THE UTERUS. 
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16.16.16. The so-called trunk of the abdominal sympathetic of the left side. 
17-17- Two of the so-called gray roots of the sympathetic, which, in consequence 
of lying - loose in the preparation, have been turned in the wrong direction by the artist. 
These branches, which have often been erroneously considered roots of the sympathe- 
tic, pass from the posterior part of the lumbar ganglia, and sending some branches to 
the vessels in the immediate neighbourhood, join the lumbar nerves. The composi- 
tion of these branches, as shown by the compound microscope, is analogous to the 
usual branches of the sympathetic, being formed of many gelatinous fibres, mixed 
with some tubular fibres. The gelatinous fibres are derived partly from the ganglion 
from which a branch passes, and partly from the ganglion next above, tvhich latter 
portion turns down in the cord communicating between the ganglia and then passes 
out in the branch. The tubular fibres are derived in a similar manner, i. <?. from the 
white cord connecting the spinal and sympathetic nerves, which is on the level of 
the ganglion from which a branch arises, and from the white cord next above. The 
latter portion turns down in the cord communicating between the ganglia, and 
passes through the upper part of the ganglion to reach the branch ; the former por- 
tion leaves the white cord immediately it reaches the ganglion, and turning back- 
wards enters the branch. In this instance, as in the preceding ones, the tubular 
fibres can be shown to be emanations from the spinal nerves, although they pass 
through the ganglia in the course of their distribution. The process of tracing these 
tubular fibres is exceedingly tedious and difficult, yet it can be done ; and I have 
best succeeded by employing the solution of bay salt and arsenite of soda, which, 
whilst it gives sufficient firmness to the nervous tubules, alters their natural ap- 
pearance much less than spirit and water. After giving some branches to the lumbar 
arteries, a portion of the branch joins the lumbar nerves and divides into two parts, 
one of which passes backwards in the direction of the spinal cord, and the other be- 
comes associated with the gelatinous fibres arising from the ganglion on the sensitive 
root of the nerve, and passes out in the distributions of the lumbar nerve. 
18.18. Two of the white cords connecting the spinal and sympathetic nerves, which 
have been often erroneously considered roots of the sympathetic. By following the 
tubular fibres which compose these cords back towards the spinal cord, we find them 
to be derived from the motor and sensitive roots of the nerve, in apparently equal 
proportions. And by following the same tubular fibres in the direction of the sympa- 
thetic ganglion, we find that on arriving at the ganglion they take several directions. 
1. Some turn backwards and enter the gray branch, previously noticed, which passes 
from the posterior part of the ganglion. 2. Some penetrate the ganglion and enter 
into the small branches which proceed from the under surface of this body. 3. Some 
turn down in the so-called trunk of the sympathetic, and supply the tubular fibres 
found in the different branches which proceed from it ; and 4, some, and these by 
far the most numerous, pass inwards and join the lower part of the superior aortic 
plexus (21.21, &c.). The last set of tubular fibres becomes apparently attached to 
