INFLUENCE OF NERVES ON NUTRITION. 
851 
nutrition and the destructive changes which follow lesions to 
the nerves of the extremities. Both these observers regard 
the nutrition of the tissues as regulated by a distinct system 
of trophic nerves apart from the purely vaso-motor nerves. 
Bearing on this subject, also, are the important observa¬ 
tions of Goltz in regard to the influence exerted by the 
nervous system on absorption (Pfluger’s Archiv , v, p. 53). 
These researches have already been referred to in this Journal 
(June 15th, 1872, p. 644), in connection with the pathology 
of oedema. Goltz looks upon the capillary system as a huge 
gland under the influence of a system of nerves which regu¬ 
lates the amount of absorption and transudation of fluids in 
a manner distinct from the mere amount of contraction and 
dilatation of the vessels, such as we should attribute to purely 
vaso-motor action. The whole vascular area w r ould in such 
case resemble the secreting glands, influenced by a system of 
secretory nerves apparently independent of mere changes in 
the circulation. Dr. Joseph ( Centralblatt , No. 46, 1871) 
likewise investigates the question of trophic nerves as regards 
the limbs of frogs. He denies altogether the existence of 
such nerves, and regards the changes which ensue as due to 
functional inactivity. It is questionable, however, how far 
these purely negative results obtained by Joseph are to weigh 
against the numerous cases which havebeen frequently observed, 
in which positive results followed, apparently not capable of 
such a simple explanation. M. Vulpian {Comjotes Renclus, lxx, 
No. 15) has investigated more particularly the influence of 
the nerve-centres on the nutrition and contractility of mus¬ 
cular tissue. After section of motor nerves, in addition to 
the histopathic changes in the nerves themselves, atrophy of 
the muscles to which they are distributed ensues; and, after 
section of mixed nerves, the electric muscular contractility 
undergoes rapid diminution. Vulpian endeavours to deter¬ 
mine whether these changes in muscle are due to lesions of 
motor, sensory, or sympathetic (vaso-motor or other) fibres, 
of which the nerve may be composed. He had already ob¬ 
served that atrophy of the tongue resulted from section of 
the hypoglossal, but not from section of the lingualis. As 
it might be objected that the atrophy in this case was due 
not merely to the division of motor filaments, but of others, 
such as sensory, which may be contained in the hypoglossal, 
he investigates the changes in muscle which follow section of* 
the facial nerve, in which there do not seem to be any sensory 
or sympathetic filaments. He finds that the nerve itself 
suffers degeneration ; and the same changes take place in 
the facial muscles as are observed in the muscles of the ex- 
