Carlson, A. J. The Rhythm Produced in the Resting Heart of Molluscs by the Stimulation of the Cardio-Accelerator Nerves. Amer. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 12, 55-66.

The author has proved that the cardio-accelerator nerves of molluscs when stimulated electrically produce rhythmical contractions of the resting heart. He is inclined to believe, also, that under favorable conditions the resting mammalian heart may likewise be caused to contract by stimulation of the accelerator nerves. The physiology of the cardiac nerves of invertebrates is of special interest because in some forms accelerator nerves alone are present, in others inhibitory nerves alone, and in others nerves which are both inhibitory and acceleratory.

R. M. Y.

Carlson, A. J. The Nervous Origin of the Heart-beat in Limulus, and the Nervous Nature of Co-ordination or Conduction in the Heart. Amer.

Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 12, 67-74.

"It can now be stated as a fact that in Limulus the origin of the heart-beat is nervous, not muscular, and that conduction of the impulse or the co-ordination of the different parts of the heart takes place through the nerves, not through the muscular tissue." This important conclusion Dr. CARLSON draws from the results of a series of ideally definite and well chosen experiments. He has shown (1), that lesion of the median and the two lateral nerves which supply the heart destroys coordination, (2) that cross-section of the heart does not interfere with co-ordinated rhythm so long as the nerves are intact, (3) that heartbeat ceases when the median nerve is severed. The author has found material which is particularly favorable for the study of heart action in its relation to the nervous system, and the importance of his work will be recognized at once by all who have interest in physiology.

R. M. Y.

Schiller, V. Ueber die physiologischen Wirkungen des Delphinins (Hegl). Arch. f. (Anat. u.) Physiol., 1904, 248-255, Taf. VI.

Delphinin paralyzes the vagus endings in the heart to a marked

R. P.

degree. loteyko, J. Mécanisme physiologique de la réaction de dégénérescence des muscles. Travaux du Laboratoire de Physiologie, Instituts Solvay, 1904, 6, 59-78.

The reaction of the muscle which has undergone degeneration because of separation from its nerve argues for contractility of the sarcoplasm, and a qualitative difference in irritability of the sarcoplasm as compared with the fibrillae. The author questions whether there may not be a similar qualitative differentiation of irritability in the substance of the nerve.

G. E. C.

Klein, Fr. Das Wesen des Reizes. Ein Beitrag zur Physiologie der Sinnesorgane, inbesondere des Auges. Arch. f. (Anat. u.) Physiol., 1904, 305-342. A fundamental attribute of protoplasm is that it is stimulated only by changes in the normal or usual external condition. The same thing applies to the nerve endings of the retina, hence certain conditions are possible under which we are blind ("rest blindness"). Two such conditions inducing "rest blindness" have been investigated. These are (a) hindering as much as possible every eye movement, (b) illuminating the eye from an equally lighted ("reizlose") surface. The author thinks it probable that only an increase in the intensity of light can act as a stimulus, never decrease.

R. P.

Rothmann, M. Ueber die Leitungsbahnen des Berühungsreflexes unter Berücksichtigung der Hautreflexe des Menschen. Arch. f. (Anat. u.) Phys iol., 1904, 256-270.

In dogs and cats the conduction in either ascending or descending direction of the impulses in MUNK'S "contact" reflexes of the extremities, is not confined to a single sensory or motor fiber tract. The ascending impulses of the reflex are conducted in two fiber tracts: one in the anterior and one in the posterior column. There are also two paths for the descending impulses: the pyramidal tracts and MONAKow's bundle. The "contact" reflex of lower animals agrees in many points with the skin reflex in man.

R. P.

Birukoff, B. Zur Theorie der Galvanotaxis. Arch. f. (Anat. u.) Physiol., 1904, 271-296.

Galvanotaxis a combination of two factors: a physiological (general irritability) on the one hand, and a purely physical (kataphoric action on the other.

R. P.

Muskens, L. J. J. Studies on the Maintenance of the Equilibrium of Motion and its Disturbances, so-called "Forced Movements." Jour. of Phy siol., 1904, 31, 204-221.

Experiments producing forced movements after lesions of the central nervous system were performed on octopods, selachians (Acanthias, Scyllium), frogs, cats and rabbits. The conclusions with reference to lower vertebrates are: 1. That rolling after unilateral lesion of the hind-brain, and circus movement after unilateral lesion of the base of the mid-brain appear to be, in lower vertebrates, fundamental phenomena, especially localized in these parts; 2. That rolling to the impaired side and circus movement to the non-impaired side are phenomena narrowly related; 3. There is no reason to believe in any diametrical opposition of forced movements of an irritating and of a paralyzing nature. In cats and rabbits unilateral lesions of the middle and upper cerebellar peduncle and unilateral (partial more than com

plete) removal of a lateral lobe of the cerebellum cause rolling movements to the side of the lesion, or a tendency to it. The most marked rolling was observed after lesion or section of the middle peduncle. Studies on the changes in the mobility of the eyeballs were also conducted.

R. P.

Woodworth, R. S. and Sherrington, C. S. A Pseudaffective Reflex and its Spinal Path. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, 234-243.

The lateral column furnishes the headward path in the spinal cord for nociceptive (algesic) arcs; each lateral column conveys such impulses from both lateral halves of the body, and somewhat preponderantly those from the crossed half; these relations are true whether the arcs be traced from skin, muscle or viscus.

R. P.

Langley, J. N. On the Question of Commissural Fibers between Nerve Cells having the Same Function and situated in the same Sympathetic Ganglion, and on the Function of Post-Ganglionic Nerve Plexuses. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, 244-259.

Concludes that since pilo-motor nerve-cells, in a given ganglion of the sympathetic system can be shown not to be connected with each other by commissural fibers, and that the same is true of pupillo-dilator and vaso-motor nerve-cells, it is fair to assume "that none of the nerve-cells of the sympathetic system, and none of the similar nervecells on the course of the cranial and sacral nerves are so connected."

R. P.

Langley, J. N. and Anderson, H. K. The Union of Different Kinds of Nerve Fibers. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, 365-391.

The nerve fibers dealt with are divisible into four classes, (a) the efferent fibers which run from the central nervous system and end in multi-nuclear striated muscle cells (efferent somatic fibers), (b) the efferent fibers which run from the central nervous system and end in ganglion cells (pre-ganglionic fibers), (c) the efferent fibers given off by the peripheral ganglia (post-ganglionic fibers) and (d) afferent fibers connected with nerve cells in the posterior root ganglia. The general conclusions drawn from the experiments are, (1) The central end of an efferent fiber can make functional connection with the peripheral end of any other efferent fiber of the same class whatever be the normal action produced by the two fibers. (2) The central end of any fiber of class (a) can make functional union with the peripheral end of any fiber of class (b), and the central end of any fiber of class (b) can make functional connection with the peripheral end of any fiber in class (a). (3) The peripheral ends of cut nerve fibers appear to have a chemotactic influence on the central ends. The chemotactic action is strong

est among fibers of the same class. (4) It is provisionally concluded that (A) efferent fibers proceeding from the spinal cord, (B) postganglionic nerve fibers, and (C) afferent nerve fibers are incapable of coalescing with one another.

R. P.

Robertson, T. B. On the "Sham-Death" Reflex in Spiders. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, 410-417.

Three species of spiders were used, two classed as "active" (Epeira producta (?) and Amaurobius sp.) and one as "sluggish" (Celacnia excavata). To produce the "sham-death" reflex in the active species the stimulus must be sharp and sudden. In the sluggish species the "sham-death" posture is continuous and therefore practically independent of the stimulus. The reflex is carried out without the aid of the abdominal nerves, and in the active species can be performed in an altered manner by the thoracic ganglia alone, or even by the ganglia of the two posterior or two anterior segments of the thorax alone. In the sluggish species the reflex cannot be induced without the head ganglion. The "sham-death" reflex is a complete tetanus when the nervous system is intact. In conclusion the author says: "In the active species of spiders, in which the "sham-death" posture is probably a means of escape in emergency even if they be regarded as possessing "conscious volition" at all, unless we suppose that this is an attribute of each of the thoracic ganglia, this reaction cannot be due to their conscious volition. That is to say, purposeful as it may seem as a means of protection from their enemies, this reaction is a necessary consequence of the structure of their nervous system and the functional activities of the nervous elements, independently of any mental processes connected with the cerebral nervous masses.'

R. P.

Langley, J. N. and Anderson, H. K. On Autogenetic Regeneration in the Nerves of the Limbs. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, 418-428.

May, W. P. The Innervation of the Sphincters and Musculature of the Stomach. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, 260-271.

Elliott, T. R. and Barclay-Smith, E. Antiperistalis and other musular Activities of the Colon. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, 272-304.

Sherrington, C. S. On Certain Spinal Reflexes in the Dog. Jour. of Physiol., 1904, 31, (pp. 17-19 of Proc. Physiol. Soc.)

Stuart, T. P. A. A Contrast (?) Experiment. Jour. Physiol., 1904, 31, (pp. 6 and 7 of Proc. Physiol. Soc.)

Werndly, L. U. H. C. Aequisonore Flächen rings um eine ertönende Stimmgabel. Arch. f. (Anat. u.) Physiol., 1904, 297-304.

De Fleury, Maurice.

Manuel Pour L'Etude des Maladies Du Système Nerveux. Paris, Felix Alcan, 1904.

This work is essentially the digest of DE FLEURY's effort to review the status of neurology after several years of special work on the neuroses. With his clearness of distinction and presentation he hoped to do a valuable service to the student by putting together the notes from his reading. The result is a volume of 1000 pages, beginning with very full directions as to how to examine a case (pp. 1-105). This is followed by a brief medical anatomy of the nervous system (pp. 109-216), very elementary and schematic, but filling its purpose for beginners. The rest of the book is devoted to the individual diseases, very concise and lucidly written. There is, of course, a great latitude of personal predilections; the chapter on neuroses is especially well treated.

As a student's manual and for rapid orientation the book deserves full praise.

A. M.

Camus, Jean and Pagniez, Ph. Isolement et psychothérapie. Traitement de l'hystérie et de la neurasthènie. Pratique de la rééducation morale et physique. Préface de M. le professeur DEJERINE, médecin de la Salpêtrière. Paris, F. Alcan, 1904.

For a number of years Professor DEJERINE has paid attention to the method of isolation and to psycho-therapeutics in hospital and pri vate practice.

His pupils here present a work which gives on ground of 60 well chosen observations the statement of therapeutics which they developed and extended on the ground of DEJERINE'S principles. After four historical chapters, they discuss the isolation and the various forms of its application, the rest and over-feeding, and other physical helps, such as electrization and hydrotherapeutics. And after a discussion of the reciprocity of physical and mental life, they enter upon hypnotism; the comparative value of suggestion and persuasion; the importance of confidence and attention of the patient, and the means of obtaining them; and finally the rules for psycho-therapeutic conversation and the principles of reeducation.

A final chapter speaks of prophylaxis, heredity, education, and the question of overwork.

Considering the material presented, the book is an extremely valuable help in many practical and general questions concerning the neu

roses.

A. M.