694 
INORDINATE EXCITATION OF FACIAL NERVE. 
concerning the origin in question which deserve some atten¬ 
tion. “ Anatomists generally note the close contiguity of 
the facial with the auditory nerve; they lie side by side, are 
often grooved by contact, and a third nerve, of smaller size 
—the portio-intermediary of Wrisberg—is brought into 
view by separating these two, and further,” says Wilson, 
“the results of Morgandi render it probable that the 
portio-intermediary is connected at its origin in the corpus 
restiforme with the auditory nerve, that it is the posterior 
(sensitive) root of the facial, that the intumesencia ganglia- 
formis of the facial is the ganglion of this root, that it 
bestows the principal part of its sensitive function on the 
facial, and that the chorda is partly derived from the in- 
tumescencia gangliaformis.” We must notice here some 
general connection between the nerve-fibres of facial and 
portio-intermediary ]of Wrisberg, and chorda tympani, excita- 
tation of one might probably, under conditions, produce exci¬ 
tation of the other. And Chauveau, in speaking of the nerve 
of Wrisberg, says : “ This ramuscule in the horse is extremely 
attenuated, and can scarcely, if at all, be distinguished at its 
origin from the filaments of the lateral roots of the auditory 
nerve; it is seen to enter the aqueduct of Fallopius, and 
divides on the bend of the facial into several gradually dimin¬ 
ishing filaments, which are confounded with the proper fibres 
of this nerve or ganglion geniculare;” likewise confirming 
the closeness of contiguity of fibres of facial and nerve of 
Wrisberg. The following are Dr. Bigelow’s conclusions:— 
1. The chorda tympani is distinct and integral throughout 
its entire length. 2. It is derived from the nerve of Wrisberg, 
and not from the facial. 
In further corroboration. Dr. Spitzka states: “ It is 
well known that the nervus intermedius of Wrisberg is en¬ 
tirely distinct from the facial at the origin from the medulla ;” 
and further, “ I have found that the fibres of the nervus 
intermedius have no connection with the facial nerve nuclei.” 
Can this case which I have narrated be taken as supporting 
the general view, that the chorda is a distinct and inseparable 
branch of the facial ? We have noticed the specific action 
upon the glandular secretions and glands and the excessive 
excitation of every fibrous distribution of the facial, and 
we might be led, from this very conclusive evidence, to 
answer confidently in the affirmative ; do not, however, let 
us cast aside the closeness of origin and continuity of the 
facial and nerve of Wrisberg, and do not let us forget that 
the cause of excitation had apparently a central origin. 
Dr. Bigelow well remarks: “ If we are to study the func- 
