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REFLEX PARALYSIS, OR PARALYSIS FROM INDIGESTION. 
leaving that centre have their function impaired, even to cessa¬ 
tion of function and paralysis. This would not be a reflexed 
act, according to the definition. The theory that I wish to ad¬ 
vance and the one that bears me out in my practical experience, 
IS this, that all those nerve centres, both high and low, are 
equalizers of nerve force. This, of course, is an automatic act. 
evertheless, it is a well understood fact, that during the exer¬ 
cise of any one particular function, all others are comparatively 
at rest. This would show that all, or nearly all, the nerve force 
coming to one of these nerve centres was being directed and 
consumed through that channel performing the greatest func¬ 
tion. This point shows me, and bears me out in my experi¬ 
ence, how we have paralysis of the motor nerves in one case and 
of the vaso-motor in another, both from the same pathological 
condition and without a reflex act. 
If we take a patient troubled with indigestion and place that 
subject at perfect res,t as regards motor power, let indigestion 
progiess, and the result is more nerve force is required to per¬ 
form that function, and so on until all or nearly all the force 
coming through that lower nerve centre has been directed to 
the bowel, in response to the irritation, leaving an insufficient 
amount to control motor power, of course paralysis of the same 
to a greater or lesser degree, depending upon the severity of the 
case, is the result. 
The fact that no stimulus existed in the motor system to 
direct nerve force in that direction, and on the other hand an 
increased amount of energy was being called for in digestion un¬ 
til it almost habituated itself to that channel and at the expense 
of the motor would seem as though there could be no other 
ultimatum. 
Now, we will reverse this order of things and with the same 
kind of patient, but ask of him a fair day’s labor each day, and 
1 we know that the nerve force is being largely consumed through 
! the motor system. The bowel is comparatively at rest. The 
I greatest stimulus now exists in the motor system and the result 
is paralysis of the bowel. When an insufficient amount of 
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