Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear, and rage : an account of recent researches into the function of emotional excitement / by Walter B. Cannon.

  • Cannon, Walter B. (Walter Bradford), 1871-1945.
Date:
1929
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Bodily changes in pain, hunger, fear, and rage : an account of recent researches into the function of emotional excitement / by Walter B. Cannon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Kellaway 3 in 1919. On the other hand Stewart and Rogoff4 were unable to repeat any of these experi¬ ments, and threw doubt on the actual existence of an emotional stimulation of adrenin. The importance of bodily reactions in strong emo¬ tional states made desirable a confirmatory demon¬ stration of secretion from the adrenal medulla by other means than had previously been used. In 1927 Britton and 15 used animals (cats) surviving the denervation of the heart to prove that adrenin is discharged when strong emotion is aroused. While the animal was rest¬ ing quietly on a cushion an aggressive dog was brought near. The response of the cat included dilation of the pupils, erection of hairs on the tail and back, retraction of the ears, baring of the teeth, hissing, snarling, spit¬ ting and striking at the dog with claws protruding. The skeletal movements were of minor character; the visceral disturbance was widespread as shown by the standing hairs. Such disturbances were associated with accelerations of the completely denervated heart varying roughly between 15 and 30 beats per minute, the average rise in forty-five tests was 22. The varia¬ tions of increment of heart rate corresponded with variations in other signs of emotional reaction. Aftei inactivation of the adrenal glands repetition of the same conditions with the same animals induced only minor accelerations, or none at all: the average in thirty-nine tests was a rise of 2 beats (see Fig. 7). When great excitement is accompanied by vigorous struggle, the maximal effect is produced; the dener-