INORDINATE EXCITATION OF FACIAL NERVE. 693 
Ludwig, Kolliker, Muller, &c., that the chorda is distinc¬ 
tively a branch of the facial, but this position has been 
recently disputed by Dr. Bigelow, who, we are told, in a 
communication to the April number of ‘ Brain,’ after careful 
and extended experimental research into the origin and 
function of the chorda, affirms as a result “that the chorda 
is not a branch of the facial , but that it has origin from the 
intermediary nerve of Wrisberg, which itself\ he states, has 
an independent origin from the medulla.” He is also corro¬ 
borated in these statements by Dr. Spitzka, another eminent 
American physiologist. 
That this is entirely antagonistic to the ordinary received 
physiological views, I may point your attention to the 
following :—Burdon Sanderson, in his f Syllabus of Lec¬ 
tures on Physiology/ p. 94, states “ That the centre 
which governs the reflex process of salivary secretion 
has its root in the medulla oblongata, and transmits its 
influence to the submaxillary gland by the chorda tympani, 
and to the parotid by a nerve which springs directly from 
the auriculo-temporal, ultimately like the chorda from the 
facial; the submaxillary may be excited by direct faradiza¬ 
tion of the chorda, in which case it pours out its secretion 
in abundance, and in addition this excitation of the chorda 
produces dilatation of the arteries of the gland, in consequence 
of which its supply of blood is largely increased.” 
Foster , in his ‘ Handbook of Physiology’ (p. 598) states : 
“ The facial is the secretory nerve of the submaxillary and 
parietal glands.” ee In all cases where a flow of salivary 
secretion is brought about the chorda is the sole efferent 
nerve; stimulation of the chorda (p. 244) brings about two 
events—dilatation of the blood-vessels of the gland and a 
flow of saliva.” 
Frey , in his f Histology of Man’ (p. 464), states : “ Irrita¬ 
tion of the chorda gives rise to secretion of a large quantity 
of saliva; together with this, the gland becomes filled with 
a large quantity of blood.” “The submaxillary receives 
branches from the facial nerve—the continuation of the 
chorda.” “ The sublingual is presided over by the same 
nerves as the submaxillary, i. e. the facial and sympathetic; 
stimulation of the chorda here also produces a flow of salivary 
secretion” (Heidenhain). 
The foregoing are the ordinarily accepted views concerning 
the origin of the chorda, and will also show its distinctive 
action upon salivary secretion. In determining, however, a 
question of this importance from the illustrations given 
in the foregoing case, there are fine anatomical conditions 
