Experimental physiology.

  • Sharpey-Schäfer, E. A. (Edward Albert), Sir, 1850-1935.
Date:
1912
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Experimental physiology. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    tion consisting of the knee-joint with portions of the femur and tibia, the gastro- cnemius muscle, and the sciatic nerve ; this is termed a muscle-nerve preparaiion. For many experiments a longer nerve is needed. To obtain this the sciatic nerve is to be exposed as before from behind, but not tied or cut; it should indeed not be touched in its course by any instrument. Then seize the urostyle with forceps, and cut it and the muscles attached to it entirely away with scissors. The nerves previously seen behind the kidneys are now exposed from the back ; they are continuous on each side with the corresponding sciatic nerve. To isolate the nerve along its whole length, sever the attachment of the ilium to the sacrum. Split the end of the spinal column longitudinally with scissors, and, holding one-half with forceps, lift it up obliquely, but not at too Fia. 29.—^Muscles of FKoa-LEa : Ventral aspect (aAUPP), sharp an angle, along with the nerves issuing from it to form the sciatic. Gradually dissect out the nerve from above down as before described, snipping the lateral branches with scissors (without touching the main nerve) untU the back of the knee is reached. Lay the long piece of nerve thus isolated upon the gastrocnemius muscle, and, as before, cut through the middle of the femur after clearing the attachments of the thigh-muscles away from its lower end ; you now have a nerve-muscle preparation with long nerve. Place a piece of paper impregnated with paraffin on the frog-cork, and lay the nerve out clear of the muscle, fixing a pair of electrodes so that the nerve lies across them. Keep both muscle and nerve—but especially the latter—wet with normal salt solution or Ringer's solution. With a nerve-muscle preparation thus obtained perform the following experiments, which are, for the most part, similar to those already performed upon the tongue. Note down all your results.