J. G. PARSLOW. 
m 
force is being received at these centres to comply with the wants 
of the different functions, the one with the greatest stimulus will 
. receive all, the other will lose its funetion. If this theory be 
right, there is no reflexed act, but let us apply this theory to 
cases eited in this paper and see how it will work. 
The first one, a case of paralysis of the bowel, with pain as 
the result of impaction. This one has already received an ex¬ 
planation, with the exception that my experience in all cases of 
this kind goes to show that it has been brought about during 
the period in whieh the animal was performing some sort of 
labor, and nerve force being largely consumed in motor power. 
The second case is a much more complicated one. Indiges¬ 
tion has so impoverished the system generally, that there is not 
being sufficient nerve force generated to supply the wants in 
full of any one function, less a set of functions. At this stage, 
labor is demanded of onr patient, and by borrowing from all 
other functions, there is sufficient to last but for a short time. 
Digestion has given up all it can without death, portions of it 
having ceased to perform a function, the rest receiving but a 
very light stimulus, labor is continued and we soon notice a 
dullness, motor power is no longer being conducted automati¬ 
cally, there is not sufficient force generated to allow for a re¬ 
serve, which is the life of the higher nerve centres, as well as 
the means by which it is conveyed to all parts automatically. 
The loss of the reserve must cause partial paralysis to the brain, 
and an insufficient amount being generated, even when directed 
to motor power, to perform that function in full, locomotor 
ataxia would be the result. 
You are all well enough acquainted with the cause and ef¬ 
fect of indigestion, therefore I have omitted touching on that 
point, and only give my ideas as to how the effect is produced, 
a point not yet satisfactorily solved. 
