492 
MR. F. GOTOH ON THE ELECTROMOTIVE PROPERTIES 
Besides these two important facts the work of du Bois-Beymond brings into 
notice the presence of an organ-current in the quiescent tissue (20). This organ- 
current is a feeble counterpart, as far as its direction and distribution are concerned, 
of the electromotive changes which are present during the state of activity. The 
existence of this current is a matter of very great interest in relation to the well- 
known diversity of opinion as to the so-called “ demarcation ” currents and “ currents 
of rest ” present in muscle and nerve. 
There are thus three distinct aspects under which the electrical organ of the 
Torpedo lias been and may be studied. 
I. As an inactive organ with reference to the effect produced upon it by the 
operation of such agents as galvanic currents, mechanical injury, temperature, &c. 
II. As an active organ, the activity of which has been evoked by excitation of the 
peripheral end of its divided electrical nerve, with reference to the influence of 
varying conditions on the time relations of this activity. 
III. As an active organ, the index of a central nervous discharge. 
The experiments which form the subject of this communication are concerned with 
the first and second aspects of the organ, the reflex discharge being reserved for 
further investigation at a period when the conditions should be more favourable than 
they were at the particular time of year (December, 1886, and January, 1887) in 
which the present observations were made. 
Object of present research .—If we now consider to what extent our knowledge 
of the electromotive phenomena of the Torpedo still remains obscure, we shall be 
better able to appreciate the direction of the present research. 
The nerve-organ response .—It has been shown that Marey has investigated the 
time relations of the response of the organ to excitation of its nerve. The sub¬ 
sequent correction by Jolyet, previously referred to, shows that the first investigation 
omitted to take into consideration one most important detail. The investigations are 
defective in omitting other details, which, as far as the phenomena of muscle and 
nerve are concerned, are of great importance, such as temperature, strength of 
stimulus, &c. Moreover, the methods employed hitherto cannot be regarded as 
furnishing thoroughly reliable data. The frog-signal may be described as a touch-and- 
go instrument, a delicate galvanoscope which does not appreciate differences in the 
amount of the currents which excite it. It gives approximately accurate information 
as regards the commencement of a sudden electromotive change in the tissue with 
which it is connected, and when used, as Marey used it, with a pendulum rheotome, 
may indicate the duration of that change, although it is uncertain to what extent 
it would respond to any slight electromotive change which may attend the sub¬ 
sidence of the main effect. As it gives no data from which to construct the curve 
which may represent the development and decline of an electromotive change, 
Marey used the Desprez signal for this purpose. The signal was modified by 
substituting for the usual spring an elastic cushion between the magnet and the 
