Phenomena of life maintained and controlled by two antagonistic principles of innervation. Anatomy of the iris reviewed; value of the irian variations in diagnosis. Diphtheria. Poisoning treated on physiological principles.

  • Freel, J. G.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Phenomena of life maintained and controlled by two antagonistic principles of innervation. Anatomy of the iris reviewed; value of the irian variations in diagnosis. Diphtheria. Poisoning treated on physiological principles. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    PHYSIOLOGICAL, PATHOLOGICAL, AND THERAPEUTICAL ACTION GOVERNED BY TWO ANTAGONISTIC PRIN- CIPLES OP INNERVATION—CONSTITUTING A GEN- ERAL LAW. Thus he who studies nature's laws, From certain truths his maxims draws. The experiments of Bernard show, that on the extirpation of the superior cervical ganglion, the parts thus deprived of gang- lionic innervation become highly congested, with augmentation of temperature and increased sensibility. On the contrary, dividing a sensory root, produces phenomena exactly the reverse —and that by galvanizing the distal extremities of the divided nerves, the parts are instantly restored to a normal condition. The experiments of Valentin and Longet show, that dividing the motor oculi, among other phenomena, produces permanent contraction of the iris, with consequent dilatation of the pupil. On the other hand, that dividing the Trigeminus or the fila- ments it receives from the sympathetic, produces immovable dilatation of the iris, and consequent contraction of the pupil, and that disorganization of the eye, and ultimately the destruc- tion of the nerves of special sense follow. These results are infinitely more suggestive of the existence of a general law than the simple incident of the falling apple was of a universal law of gravitation—and although the authors were not possessed of the brilliant perceptive powers of a New- ton, to enable them to seize the hints, and astound the world by the promulgation of an all-important discovery, still if their labours lead to the establishment of fixed principles, which will elevate the profession of medicine to the rank of a science, they deserve our gratitude, though their genius does not command our admiration.