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A TEXT BOOK
OF
PHYSIOLOGY.
BY
M. FOSTEE, M.A., M.D., LL.D., F.R.S.,
PROFESSOR OF PHYSIOLOGY IX THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE,
AND FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
SIXTH EDITION.
PART I., COMPRISING BOOK I.
BLOOD. THE TISSUES OF MOVEMENT. THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
MACMILLAN AND CO.
AND LONDON.
1893.
{All rights reserved.']
W3^
Copyright, 1893,
By Macmillan and Co.
First Edition 1876. Second Edition 1877.
TJiird Edition 1879. Four^A .fff/iViOrt 1883.
Reprinted 1884, 1886. i^(/?^ Edition 1888.
Reprinted 1891. ^''ixiA Edition 1893.
Sanibcvsttg Press:
John Wilson and Son, Cambkidge, U.S.A.
PREFACE.
TN the present edition I have been led to modify a
good deal the account of the beat of the heart.
Otherwise the changes are not great.
M. FOSTER.
Digitized by tlie Internet Arcliive
in 2010 witli funding from
Open Knowledge Commons (for the Medical Heritage Library project)
http://www.archive.org/details/textbookofphysio18931fost
CONTENTS OF PART I.
s§ 1-
§ 4.
§ 7.
§ 8.
§ 9-
§ 10.
§ 11.
§ 12.
INTRODUCTION.
-3. Distinctive characters of living and dead bodies
Living substance, food and waste .....
Protoplasm and the physiological unit ...
Histological differentiation and physiological division
Tissues and functions
The two chief classes of tissues . . . . .
Muscular and nervous tissues .....
Tissues of digestion and excretion • . . .
Organs. — Muscles and nerves of the organs of nutrition
The blood and the vascular system ....
The main problems of physiology ....
of labour.
PAGE
1
3
4
6
6
BOOK I.
BLOOD. THE TISSUES OF MOVEMENT.
THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
CHAPTER I.
Blood.
§ 13. The general work of the Blood
13
SECTION I.
The Clottixg of Blood.
§ 14.
§ 15.
§ 16.
The phenomena of clotting .
The characters of fibrin
The features of serum. Paraglobulin
its characters
62
15
17
18
viii CONTENTS.
PAGE
§17- Serum-albumin; its characters ...... . , 19
§ 18. The circumstances which affect the rapidity of clotting ... 20
§ 19. The preparation of plasmine and fibrinogen ...... 22
§ 20. Fibrin-fermeut . its action. Nature of the process of clotting , . 23
§ 21. Why blood clots when shed 26
§ 22. The influence on clotting exerted by the living blood vessels . . 27
§ 23. The nature of this influence ; the action of the white corpuscles . 29
SECTION II.
The Corpuscles of the Blood.
The Red Coiyuscles.
§ 24. The structure of the red corpuscles ; laky blood ; stroma, and haemo-
globin .... ... 31
§ 25. The number of red corpuscles in human blood ; method of enumeration 34
§ 26. The destruction of red corpuscles ,35
§ 27. The formation of red corpuscles, in the embryo and in the adult ,
htematoblasts ......... 36
The White Corpuscles.
§ 28. The structure of the Avhite corpuscles ; characters of the cell-substance 38
§ 29. The chemical bodies present in white corpuscles . . . , .40
§ 30. The white corpuscles as a type of living matter , metabolism, katabolic
and anabolic changes. The nature and relations of the ' granules ; '
living substance, food and waste , . 41
§ 31. The origin of the white corpuscles. Leucocytes ..... 44
§ 32. The disappearance of the white corpuscles. Their influence on the
plasma. Different kinds of white corpuscles .... 45
Blood Platelets
§ 33. The characters of blood platelets . , 48
SECTION III.
The Chemical Composition of Blood.
§ 34. General chemical characters 50
§ 35. Chemical composition of serum ....... 50
§ 36. Chemical composition of red corpuscles ...... 51
§ 37. Chemical composition of white corpuscles ...... 52
CONTENTS. ix
SECTION IV.
The Quantity of Blood and its Distribution in the Body.
PAGE
§ 38. The determination of the quantity of blood in the body, and the main
facts of its distribution 53
CHAPTER IT.
The Contractile Tissues.
§ 39. The movements of the body carried out by means of various kinds of
contractile tissues 55
SECTION I.
The Phenomena of Muscle and Nerve.
Muscular and Nervous Irritability.
§ 40. Irritability; contractility; stimuli 57
§ 41. Independent muscular irritability ; action of urari 58
§ 42. Simple and tetanic contractions 59
§ 43. The muscle-nerve preparation . . .... 59
§ 44. Various forms of stimuli. Induction Coil. Key. Magnetic Inter-
ruptor. Electrodes. Method of graphic record . . . . 60
The Phenomena of a Simple Muscular Contraction.
§ 45. The muscle-curve. ^Myographs. Time measurements. Signals . 69'
§ 46. Analysis of a simple muscle-curve ....... 75-
§ 47. Variations of the muscle-curve. The shortening accompanied by
thickening 78=
§ 48. Simple muscular contractions rare in the living body .... 79"
§ 49. Tetanic contractions. Analysis of the curve of tetanus ... 79
§ 50. Various degrees of tetanic contractions .83
§ 51. Diminution and disappearance of irritability after death ... 84
SECTION II.
On the Changes which take place in a Muscle during a
Contraction.
The Change in Form.
§ 52. Gross structure of muscle, arrangement of muscular fibres, blood
vessels and nerves 86
§ 53. The wave of contraction ; its length, velocity, and other characters . 88
X CONTENTS.
PAGE
§ 54. Minute structure of muscular fibre ; nature of striation ... 90
§ 55. The visible changes which take place in a muscular fibre during a
contraction 93
§ 56. The appearances presented when the fibre is examined with polarized
light 95
§ 57. Nature of the act of contraction . 96
The Chemistry of Muscle.
§ 58. Contrast of living and dead muscle ; rigor mortis .... 97
§ 59. Cliemical bodies present in dead muscle ; myosin, syntonin . . 98
§ 60. Chemistry of living muscle ; muscle-plasma, muscle-clot and muscle-
serum, myoglobulin, histo-hsematin 100
§ 61. Acid reaction of rigid muscle ; development of carbonic acid in rigor
mortis ' . 101
§ 62. Other constituents of muscle 103
§ 63. Chemical changes during contraction ; development of carbonic acid
and acid reaction 105
§ 64. Summary of the chemistry of muscle 106
Thermal Changes.
§ 65. Heat given out during a contraction. Comparison of muscle with a
steam-engine 106
Electrical Changes.
§ 66. Non-polarisable electrodes. Muscle currents; their distribution and
nature . 108
§ 67. Negative variation of the muscle current ; currents of action. The
rheoscopic frog 113
The Changes in a Nerve during the passage of a Nervous Impulse.
§ 68. Structure of a nerve. Primitive sheath or neurilemma, medulla, axis-
cylinder, nodes of Eanvier. The axis-cylinder the essential part 115
§ 69. Nerve endings in striated muscular fibres. Henle's sheath. End-
plates
§ 70. Non-medullated nerve fibres 122
§71. The chemistry of a nerve ; cholesterin, lecithin, cerebrin, protagon . 123
§ 72. The nervous impulse ; the electrical changes accompanying it. These
changes travel in both directions along the nerve . • • 125
§ 73. Summary of the changes occurring in a muscle and nerve as the
result of stimulation ^^^
120
CONTENTS. xi
SECTION III.
The Nature of the Changes through which an Electric Current
IS ABLE TO generate A NeUVOUS ImPULSE.
Action of the Constant Current.
PAGE
§74. Action of the coustaut current , making and breaking contractions . 128
§ 75. Electrotonus. Effect of the constant current on the irritability of
the nerve. Katelectrotonus. Anelectrotonus .... 130
§ 76, Electrotonic currents . . . 132
§ 77. Relation of electrotonus to nervous impulses, and to the effects of
the constant current 134
§ 78. Action of the constant current on muscle 136
SECTION IV.
The Muscle-Nerve preparation as a Machine.
§ 79. The influence of the nature and mode of application of the stimulus
on the magnitude of the contraction. Maximal and minimal
stimuli. Influence of abruptness and duration of stimulus.
Some parts of a nerve more irritable than others . . . 138
§ 80. Frequency of repetition necessary to produce tetanus ; pale and red
muscles. The muscular sound 141
§ 81. The influence of the load; effect of resistance. The work done . 143
§ 82. The influence of the size and form of the muscle .... 144
SECTION V.
The Circumstances which determine the Degree of Irritability
OF Muscles and Nerves.
§ 83, Diminution and disappearance of irritability after severance from the
body. Effect of division of nerves ; degeneration of nerve fibres.
Regeneration . ......... 14.5
§ 84. The influence of temperature 148
§ 85. The influence of blood supply 149
§ 86. The influence of functional activity. Exercise. Fatigue. The causes
of exhaustion 150
SECTION YI.
The Energy of Muscle and Nerve and the Nature of Muscular
AND Nervous Action.
§ 87. Nature of the act of contraction and the act of relaxation. The
relation of the energy of work to the energy of heat. The rela-
tion of nitrogenous metabolism to the energy of contraction . 1.53
§ 88. The nature of a nervous impulse ....... 156
xii CONTENTS.
SECTION VII.
On some other Forms of Contractile Tissue.
Plain, smooth or unstriated Muscular Tissue.
PAGE
§ 89. Structure of plain muscular tissue ; characters of the fibre cell . 158
§ 90. Arrangement and termination of nerves in unstriated muscle . . 160
§ 91. The chemistry of unstriated muscle 161
§ 92. The characters of the contraction of unstriated muscle. Peristaltic
contractions. 'Spontaneous' contractions. Tonic contractions 161
Ciliary Movement.
§ 93. Structure of a ciliated epithelium cell 164
§ 94. Nature of ciliary movement. Circumstances affecting ciliary move-
ments 165
Amceboid Movements.
§ 95. Nature of an amceboid movement ; its relation to a muscular con-
traction 168
CHAPTER III.
On the more General Features of Nervous Tissues.
§ 96. The general arrangement of the nervous system. Cerebro-spinal and
splanchnic or sympathetic system ; somatic and splanchnic
nerves 171
§ 97. The structure of spinal ganglia. The ganglionic nerve cell. Bipolar,
unipolar and apolar nerve cells . 175
§ 98. The structure of ganglia of the splanchnic or sympathetic system.
Multipolar cells. Spiral cells 178
§ 99. Grey matter and white matter of the central nervous system.
Structure of a nerve cell of the spinal cord ; axis-cylinder process 179
§ 100. Functions of nerve cells 180
§ 101. Reflex actions, the machinery required. The circumstances de-
termining the nature of a reflex action. Reflex actions often
purposeful 182
§ 102. Automatic actions 185
§ 103. Inhibitory nerves 186
CHAPTER IV.
The Vascular Mechanism.
SECTION I.
The Structure and Main Features of the Vascular Apparatus.
§ 104. The chief work of the blood carried on in the capillaries and other
minute vessels .......... 188
CONTENTS.
The Structure of Arteries^ Veins, and Capillaries,
PAGE
§ 105. On some features of connective tissue. Gelatiniferous fibrilloB.
Connective-tissue corpuscles 189
§ 106. Elastic fibres 191
§ 107. The structure of capillaries ; epitlielioid cells. The size of capillaries
and variations in tlieir calibre . . . . • ■ . 192
§ 108. The structure of minute arteries 195
§ 109. The structure of larger arteries 196
§ 110. The structure of the veins 198
§ 111. Some points in the structure of the heart 199
§ 112. The main features of the vascular apparatus 200
SECTION II.
The Main Facts of the Circulation.
§ 113. Behaviour of arteries contrasted with that of veins .... 203
§ 114. Blood pressure in an artery and in a vein ...... 204
§ 115. Methods of registering blood pressure; mercurial manometer. Ky-
mograph. The blood pressure curve ...... 206
§ 116. Characters of the blood pressure in various arteries and veins.
Blood pressure in the capillaries. Fall of blood pressure in the
minute vessels . 209
§ 117. The circulation through the capillaries, and small vessels. Peripheral
resistance 211
Hydraulic Principles of the Circulation.
§ 118. The three main physical facts of the circulation ; the central pump,
the peripheral resistance and the elastic tubing .... 213
§ 119. The conversion of the intermittent into a continuous flow by means
of the elastic reaction of the arteries 214
§ 120. Artificial Model. Arterial and venous pressure with great and with
little peripheral resistance . . . . . . . • 216
§ 121. Additional aids to the circulation in the living body .... 221
Circumstances determining the Rate of the Flow.
% 122. Methods of determining the rate of the flow. Hoemadromometer,
Eheometer, Hasmatachometer. The plethysmographic method
The rate of flow in arteries, veins, and capillaries
§123. The rate of flow dependent on the width of the bed .... 226
§ 124. The time of the entire circuit 228
§ 125. Summary of the main physical facts of the circulation . . . 229
xiv. CONTENTS.
SECTIOX IIL
The Heart.
The Phenomena of the Nonnal Beat.
PAGE
§ 126. The visible movements 231
§ 127. The cardiac cycle ; the series of events constituting a beat . . 232
§ 128. The change of form 235
§ 129. The cardiac impulse . 237
§ 130. The sounds of the heart 238
§ 131. Endocardiac pressure. Methods of determining this. Cardiac sound
and tambour. Piston and membrane manometers. General
features of the curve of endocardiac pressure .... 241
§ 132. The output of the heart ; the methods of determining this . . 247
The Mechanism of the Beat.
§ 133. The curves obtained by means of cardiograph and the myocardio-
graph. The curve of ventricular pressure compared with these 250
§ 134. The pressure in the ventricle compared with that in the aorta. The
differential manometer or manometer balance. The teachings
of this comparison 253
§ 135. Minimum and maximum manometers. The negative pressure in
the cardiac cavities 260
§ 136. The duration of the several phases of the cardiac cycle . . . 262
§ 137. Summary of the events constituting a beat 265
§ 138. The work done 267
SECTION IV.
The Pulse.
§ 139. Methods of recording the pulse. The sphygmograph, sphygmoscope
and other instruments. The pulse curve 269
§ 140. Pulse tracing from an artificial model; the nature of the pulse
wave
§ 141. The characters of the pulse curve; influence of pressure exerted by
lever 276
§ 142. The changes undergone by the pulse wave along the arterial tract . 277
§ 143. The velocity of the pulse wave 278
§ 144. The length of the pulse wave 279
§ 145. Secondary waves. Katacrotic and anacrotic tracings . . . 280
§ 146. The dicrotic wave : its causes 282
§ 147. Circumstances determining the prominence of the dicrotic wave . 285
§ 148. The predicrotic wave. Anacrotic waves 286
§ 149. Venous pulse .287
273
CONTENTS. XV
SECTION V.
The Regulation and Adaptation ok the Vascular Mechanism.
The Regulation of the Beat of the Heart.
PAGE
§ 150. The two great regulators; changes in the heart beat and changes in
the peripheral mechanism 289
The Histology of the Heart.
§151. Cardiac muscular tissue. The structure of the frog's heart . . 290
§ 152. The structure of the mammalian heart 292
§153. The nerves and ganglia of the heart. In the frog. In the mammal 293
The Deoelopment of the Normal Beat.
§ 154. Graphic record of the heart beat. The beat of the frog's heart.
The sequence of events, and the descending scale of rhythmic
power . 296
§ 155. The causes of the spontaneous rhythmic beat; the relations of the
ganglia , the features of the cardiac tissue .... 300
§ 156. Some features of the heart beat in the mammal . . . 305
The Government of the Heart Beat by the Nervous System.
§ 157. Inhibition in the frog by stimulation of vagus nerves. Features of
inhibition ........... 305
§ 158. Augmentation of the heart beat in the frog. Antagonism of aug-
mentation and inhibition Course of augmentor fibres in the
frog 307
§ 159. Reflex inhibition. Cardio-inhibitory centre 310
§ 160. Inhibition in the mammal , effect on blood pressure. Reflex inhibi-
tion. Course of augmentor fibres in the dog . • 311
§ 161. Nature of augmentor and inhibitory effects. Action of atropin and
muscarin . . 318
Other influences regulating or modifying the Beat of the Heart.
§ 162. Influences of blood, and substances contained in the blood Influence
of the distension of the cavities. Relation of heart beat to blood-
pressure ... 320
SECTION VI.
Changes in the Calibre of the ]\Iinute Arteries. Vaso-motor
Actions.
§ 163. Changes of calibre in arteries as seen in the web of a frog's foot and
elsewhere. Vaso-motor nerves ....... 324
§ 1 64. The vascular phenomena in a rabbit's ear 325
CONTENTS.
§ 165. The effects on the vessels of the ear of dividing and stimulating
the cervical sympathetic nerve . . . . . . . 326
§ 166, Course of vaso-motor fibres of the ear 327
§ 167. The effects on the vessels of the submaxillary gland of stimulating
the chorda tympaui nerve ; vaso-constrictor and vaso-dilator
fibres 329
§ 168. Vaso-motor nerves of other parts of the body. Constrictor and
dilator fibres in the sciatic and brachial nerves . . . . 331
The Course of Vaso-motor Fibres.
§ 169. The course of vaso-constrictor fibres . . . . . . 335
§ 170. The course of vaso-dilator fibres 337
The Effects of Vaso-motor Actions.
§ 171. Local and general effects of the constriction and dilation of an
artery or set of arteries 338
Vaso-motor Functions of the Central Nervous System.
§ 172. Vaso-dilator fibres usually employed as part of a reflex action . . 340
§ 173. Loss of tone resulting from the division of the spinal chord at various
levels. Vaso-motor centre in the spinal bulb . . . . 341
§ 174. The Depressor nerve 343
§ 175. Rise of blood pressure from stimulation of afferent nerves ; pressor
effects 344
§ 176. The limits of the bulbar vaso-motor centre 345
§ 177. The relation of the bulbar vaso-motor centre to other spinal
vaso-motor centres. Nature of dilation, tone, and constriction
of blood vessels 346
§ 178. Summary of vaso-motor actions 350
§ 179. Instances of vaso-motor actions. Blushing. Effect of vi^armth on
skin. Vascular changes in kidney and alimentary canal . . 352
§ 180. Vaso-motor nerves of the veins 353
SECTION VII.
The Capillary Circulation.
§ 181. The normal capillary circulation. The axial core and the plasmatic
layer 355
§ 182. Changes in the capillary circulation induced by irritants. The
phenomena of inflammation 356
§ 183. The migration of white corpuscles. Stasis 358
§ 184. Nature of the inflammatory changes 359
§ 185. Changes in the peripheral resistance due to changes in the blood . 360
CONTENTS. xvii
SECTION VIII.
Changes in the Quantity of Blood.
PAGE
§ 186. Effects of increasing and of diminishing tlie total quantity of blood 362
SECTION IX.
A Review of some of the Featuues of the Circulation.
§ 187. The constant and variable factors 366
§ 188. The influence of the venous inflow and of the distension of the
cavities of the heart ......... 366
§ 189. The heart beat influenced by the quantity and quality of the blood
flowing through the heart 366
§ 190. The causes of an irregular heart beat 368
§ 191.. The causes of the sudden cessation of the heart beat and of sudden
death 369
§ 192. Instances of the working of the vaso-constrictor mechanism . . 371
§ 193. The influence of bodily exercise on the vascular mechanism . . 372
§ 194. The influence of food on the vascular mechanism .... 374
§ 195. The mutual relations of the heart and the vaso-motor system . . 375
Index 377
LIST OF FIGURES IN PART I.
FIG.
1.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
izmg
mpuli
Different forms of white corpuscles from Human Blood.
A mu.sc]e-uerve preparation ......
Diagram of du Bois-Reymond key .....
Diagram illustrating apparatus arranged for experiments with muscle
and nerve .........
Diagram of an Induction Coil .....
The Magnetic Interruptor ......
The Magnetic Interruptor with Helmholtz's arrangement for equal
the make and break shocks
A muscle-curve from the gastrocnemius of a frog .
The same, with the recording surface moving slowly
The same, with the recording surface travelling very rapidly
The Pendulum Myograph ......
Diagram of an arrangement of a vibrating tuning-fork with a Desprez
signal .........
Curves illustrating the measurement of the velocity of a nervous i
Tracing of a double muscular contraction ....
^luscle-curve. Single induction-shocks repeated slowly
The same, repeated more rapidly
The same, repeated still more rapidly
Tetanus produced with the ordinary magnetic interruptor
Non-polarisable electrodes .......
Diagram illustrating the electric currents of nerve and muscle
Diagram illustrative of the progression of electric changes
Diagram of ascending and descending constant current .
Diagram of the electrotonic changes in irritability .
Diagram illustrating electrotonic currents ....
Scheme of the nerves of a segment of spinal cord .
Apparatus for investigating blood pressure ....
Tracing of arterial pressure in dog .....
Tracing of arterial pressure in rabbit
Ludwig's Kymograph ........
Diagram of fall of blood pressure in arteries, capillaries and veins
Arterial model
Tracing from arterial model with little peripheral resistance .
The same with increased peripheral resistance
PAGE
47
60
62
64
66
67
68
70
70
71
74
77
80
80
81
81
82
109
110
114
130
132
133
172
207
208
209
210
211
217
218
219
XX LIST OF FIGURES IN PART I.
FIG. PAGE
34. Ludwig's Stromuhr 223
35. Chauveau and Lortet's HEematachometer 224
36. Diagram illustrating causes determining the velocity of the flow . . 226
37. Tracing from heart of cat 236
38. Marey's Tambour, and cardiac sound 242
39. Tracings from right auricle and ventricle of horse (Chauveau and Marey) 243
40. Curves of endocardiac pressure by means of piston manometer . . 244
41. The membrane manometer of Hiirthle 244
42. Diagram of the same 245
43. Curve of ventricular pressure : membrane manometer .... 246
44. Stolnikow's apparatus for measuring the output of the heart . . 248
45. Cardiometer of Eoy and Adami 249
46. Tracing from the heart of a cat, by means of a light lever . . . 250
47. Cardiograms . 251
48. Myocardiogram 252
49. Diagram of application of aortic and ventricular catheters . . . 253
50. Simultaneous tracings of ventricular and aortic pressures , . . 254
51. Diagram of the differential manometer of Hurthle .... 254
52. Simultaneous curves of ventricular and aortic pressures, and of the
differential manometer ; descending systolic plateau . . . 255
53. The same, with the recording surface travelling rapidly . . . 255
54. Simultaneous curves of ventricular and aortic pressures and of the
differential manometer ; ascending systolic plateau .... 258
55. Diagram of ventricular and aortic pressures and of the cardiac impulse . 259
56. Maximum and minimum manometer 260
57. rick's spring manometer 270
58. Diagram of a sphygmograph 271
59. Pulse tracing from radial artery 273
60. Diagram of artificial pulse tracings 274
61. Diagram of progression of pulse wave 275
62. Pulse tracing with different pressures 276
63. Pulse tracing from dorsalis pedis artery . . , . . . . 277
64. Pulse tracing from carotid artery 280
65. Anacrotic pulse tracing 281
66. Dicrotic pulse tracing 281
67. A perfusion cannula 297
68. Diagram of apparatus for registering the beat of a frog's heart . . 298
69. Inhibition of heart beat in the frog 306
70. Diagram of the course of cardiac augmentor fibres in the frog . . 308
71. Cardiac inhibition in the mammal . . . . . . . . 311
72. The course of cardiac inhibitory and augmentor fibres in the dog . . 315
73. Diagram of the course of vaso-constrictor fibres 328
74. Diagram of the nerves of the submaxillary gland 329
75. The depressor nerve .......... 344
76. Rise of pressure due to stimulation of the sciatic nerve .... 345
INTRODUCTION.
§ 1. Dissection, aided by microscopical examination, teaches
us that the body of man is made up of certain kinds of material,
so differing from each other in optical and other physical characters
and so built up together as to give the body certain structural
features. Chemical examination further teaches us that these
kinds of material are composed of various chemical substances, a
large number of which have this characteristic that they possess a
considerable amount of potential energy capable of being set free,
rendered actual, by oxidation or some other chemical change.
Thus the body as a whole may, from a chemical point of view, be
considered as a mass of various chemical substances, representing
altogether a considerable capital of potential energy.
§ 2. This body may exist either as a living body or (for a
certain time at least) as a dead body, and the living body may at
any time become a dead body. At what is generally called the
moment of death (but artificially so, for as we shall see the
processes of death are numerous and gradual) the dead body so
far as structure and chemical composition are concerned is exceed-
ingly like the living body ; indeed the differences between the two
are such as can be determined only by very careful examination,
and are still to a large extent estimated by drawing inferences
rather than actually observed. At any rate the dead body at
the moment of death resembles the living body in so far as it
represents a capital of potential energy. From that moment
onwards however the capital is expended ; by processes which
are largely those of oxidation, the energy is gradually dissipated,
leaving the body chiefly in the form of heat. While these chemi-
cal processes are going on the structural features dissappear, and
the body, with the loss of nearly all its energy, is at last resolved
into " dust and ashes."
2 THE LIVING AND THE DEAD BODY.
The characteristic of the dead body then is that, being a mass
of substances of considerable potential energy, it is always more
or less slowly losing energy never gaining energy ; the capital of
energy present at the moment of death is more or less slowly
diminished, is never increased or replaced.
§ 3. When on the other hand we study a living body we are
struck with the following salient facts.
1. The living body moves of itself, either moving one part of
the body on another or moving the whole body from place to place.
These movements are active ; the body is not simply pulled or
pushed by external forces, but the motive power is in the body
itself, the energy of each movement is supplied by the body itself.
2. These movements are determined and influenced, indeed
often seem to be started, by changes in the surroundings of the body.
Sudden contact between the surface of the body and some foreign
object will often call forth a movement. The body is sensitive to
changes in its surroundings, and this sensitiveness is manifested
not only by movements but by other changes in the body.
3. It is continually generating heat and giving out heat to
surrounding things, the production and loss of heat, in the case
of man and certain other animals, being so adjusted that the
whole body is warm, — that is, of a temperature higher than that
of surrounding things.
4. From time to time it eats, — that is to say, takes into itself
supplies of certain substances known as food, these substances
being in the main similar to those which compose the body and
being like them chemical bodies of considerable potential energy,
capable through oxidation or other chemical changes of setting
free a considerable quantity of energy.
5. It is continually breathing, — that is, taking in from the
surrounding air supplies of oxygen.
6. It is continually, or from time to time, discharging from
itself into its surroundings so-called waste matters, which waste
matters may be broadly described as products of oxidation of the
substances taken in as food, or of the substances composing the
body.
Hence the living body may be said to be distinguished from
the dead body by three main features.
The living body like the dead is continually losing energy
(and losing it more rapidly than the dead body, the special
breathing arrangements permitting a more rapid oxidation of its
substance), but unlike the dead body is by means of food contin-
ually restoring its substance and replenishing its store of energy.
The energy set free in the dead body by the oxidation and
other chemical changes of its substance leaves the body almost
exclusively in the form of heat, whereas a great deal of energy
leaves the living body as mechanical work, the result of various
movements of the body ; and as we shall see a great deal of the
INTRODUCTION. 3
energy which ultimately leaves the body as heat exists for a while
within the living body in other forms than lieat, though eventually
transformed into heat.
The changes in the surroundings affect the dead body at a
slow rate and in a general way only, simply lessening or increasing
the amount or rate of chemical change and the quantity of
heat thereby set free, but never diverting the energy into some
other form, such as that of movement ; whereas changes in the sur-
roundings may in the case of the living body rapidly, profoundly,
and in special ways affect not only the amount but also the kind of
energy set free. The dead body left to itself slowly falls to pieces,
slowly dissipates its store of energy, and slowly gives out he^t. A
higher or lower temperature, more or less moisture, a free or scanty
supply of oxygen, the advent of many or few putrefactive organ-
isms, — these may quicken or slacken the rate at which energy is
being dissipated but do not divert that energy from heat into
motion ; whereas in the living body so slight a change of surround-
ings as the mere touch by a hair of some particular surface, may
so affect the setting free of energy as to lead to such a discharge
of energy in the form of movement that the previously apparently
quiescent body 2uay be suddenly thrown into the most violent
convulsions.
The differences therefore between living substance and dead
substance though recondite are very great, and the ultimate object
of Physiology is to ascertain how it is that living substance can do
what dead substance cannot, — can renew its substance and replen-
ish the energy which it is continually losing, and can according to
the nature of its surroundings vary not only the amount but also
the kind of energy which it sets free. Thus there are two great
divisions of Physiology : one having to do with the renewal of
substance and the replenishment of energy, the other having to
do with the setting free of energy.
§ 4. Now, the body of man (or one of the higher animals) is a
very complicated structure consisting of different kinds of mate-
rial which we call tissues, such as muscular, nervous, connective,
and the like, variously arranged in organs, such as heart, lungs,
muscles, skin, etc., all built up to form the body according to
certain morphological laws. But all this complication, though
advantageous and indeed necessary for the fuller life of man, is
not essential to the existence of life. The amoeba is a living
being ; it renews its substance, replenishes its store of energy, and
sets free energy now in one form, now in another ; and yet the
amoeba may be said to have no tissues and no organs ; at all events
this is true of closely allied but not so well-known simple beings.
Using the more familiar amoeba as a type, and therefore leaving on
one side the nucleus, and any distinction between eudosarc and
ectosarc, we may say that its body is homogeneous in the sense
that if we divided it into small pieces, each piece would be like all
4- PEOTOPLASM.
the others. In another sense it is not homogeneous; for we
know that the amcBba receives into its substance material as food,
and that this food or part of it remains lodged in the body until
it is made use of and built up into the living substance of the
body ; and each piece of the living substance of the body must
have in or near it some of the material which it is about to build
up into itself. Further, we know that the amceba gives out waste
matters, such as carbonic acid and other substances ; and each piece
of the amceba must contain some of these waste matters about to
be, but not yet, discharged from the piece. Each piece of the
amoeba will therefore contain these three things : the actual living
substance, the food about to become living substance, and the
waste matters which have ceased to be living substance.
Moreover, we have reasons to think that the living substance
does not break down into the waste matters which leave the body
at a single bound, but that there are stages in the downward
progress between the one and the other. Similarly, though our
knowledge on this point is less sure, we have reason to think
that the food is not incorporated into the living substance at- a
single step, but that there are stages in the upward progress
from the dead food to the living substance. Each piece of the
body of the amceba will therefore contain substances represent-
ing various stages of becoming living, and of ceasing to be
living, as well as the living substance itself. And we may
safely make this statement though we are quite unable to draw
the line where the dead food on its way up becomes living, or the
living substance on its way down becomes dead.
§ 5. Nor is it necessary for our present purpose to be able to
point out under the microscope, or to describe from a histological
point of view, the parts which are living and the parts which are
dead food or dead waste. The body of the amoeba is frequently
spoken of as consisting of ' protoplasm.' The name was originally
given to the matter forming the primordial utricle of the vegetable
cell as distinguished from the cell wall on the one hand, and from
the fluid contents of the cell or cell sap on the other, and also
we may add from the nucleus. It has since been applied very
generally to such parts of animal bodies as resemble, in their
general features, the primordial utricle. Thus the body of a white
blood corpuscle, or of a gland cell, or of a nerve cell, is said to
consist of protoplasm. Such parts of animal bodies as do not in
their general features resemble the matter of the primordial utricle
are not called protoplasm, or, if they at some earlier stage did bear
such resemblance, but no longer do so, are sometimes, as in the case
of the substance of a muscular fibre, called ' differentiated proto-
plasm.' Protoplasm in this sense sometimes appears, as in the
outer part of most amcebse, as a mass of glassy-looking material,
either continuous or interrupted by more or less spherical spaces
or vacuoles filled with fluid, sometimes as in a gland cell as a more
INTRODUCTION. 5
refractive, cloudy-looking, or finely granular material arranged in a
more or less irregular network, or spongework, the interstices of
which are occupied either by tluid or by some material different from
itself. We shall return however to the features of this 'proto-
plasm ' when we come to treat of white blood corpuscles and other
' protoplasmic ' structures. Meanwhile it is sufficient for our pres-
ent purpose to note that lodged in the protoplasm, discontinuous
with it, and forming no part of it, are in the first place collections
of fluid, of watery solutions of various substances, occupying the
more regular vacuoles or the more irregular spaces of the network,
and in the second place discrete granules of one kind or another,
also forming no part of the protoplasm itself, but lodged either in the
bars or substance of the protoplasm or in the vacuoles or meshes.
Now, there can be little doubt that the fluids and the discrete
granules are dead food or dead waste, but the present state of
our knowledge will not permit us to make any very definite
statement about the protoplasm itself. We may probably conclude,
indeed we may be almost sure, that protoplasm in the above sense
is not all living substance ; that it is made up partly of the real
living substance, and partly of material which is becoming living
or has ceased to be living ; and in the case where protoplasm is
described as forming a network, it is possible that some of the
material occupying the meshes of the network may be, like part of
the network itself, really alive. ' Protoplasm ' in fact, as in the
sense in which we are now using it, and shall continue to use it,
is a iiior])]iological term ; but it must be borne in mind that the
same word ' protoplasm ' is also frequently used to denote what
we have just now called 'the real living substance.' The word
then embodies a physiological idea ; so used it may be applied to
the living substance of all living structures, whatever the micro-
scopical features of those structures ; in this sense it cannot at
present, and possibly never will be recognised by the microscope,
and our knowledge of its nature must be based on inferences.
Keeping then to the phrase ' living substance ' we may say
that each piece of the body of the amoeba consists of living
substance in which are lodged, or with which are built up in
some way or other, food and waste in various stages.
Now, an amoeba may divide itself into two, each half exhibiting
all the phenomena of the whole ; and we can easily imagine the
process to be repeated until the amoeba was divided into a
multitude of exceedingly minute amoebiB, each having all the
properties of the original. But it is obvious, as in the like
division of a mass of a chemical substance, that the division could
not be repeated indefinitely. Just as in division of the chemical
mass we come to the chemical molecule, further division of which
changes the properties of the substance, so in the continued
division of the amoeba we should come to a stage in which further
division interfered with the physiological actions ; we should come
6 DIVISION or LABOUR.
to a physiological unit, corresponding to but greatly more complex
than the chemical molecule. ^ This unit to remain a physiologi-
cal unit and to continue to live must contain not only a portion of
the living substance but also the food for that living substance,
in several at least of the stages, from the initial raw food up to the
final 'living' stages, and must similarly contain various stages of
waste.
§ 6. Now, the great characteristic of the typical amoeba (leav-
ing out the nucleus) is that, as far as we can ascertain, all the physi-
ological units are alike ; they all do the same things. Each and
every part of the body receives food more or less raw and builds
it up into its own living substance ; each and every part of the
body may be at one time quiescent and at another in motion ;
each and every part is sensitive and responds by movement or
otherwise to various changes in its surroundings.
The body of man, in its first stage, while it is as yet an ovum,
if we leave aside the nucleus and neglect differences caused by the
unequal distribution of food material or yolk, may also be said to
be composed of like parts or like physiological units.
By the act of segmentation however the ovum is divided into
parts or cells which early shew differences from each other ; and
these differences rapidly increase as development proceeds. Some
cells put on certain characters and others other characters ; that
is to say, the cells undergo histological differentiation. And this
takes place in such a way that a number of cells lying together
in a group become eventually converted into a tissue ; and the
whole body becomes a collection of such tissues arranged together
according to morphological laws, each tissue having a definite
structure, its cellular nature being sometimes preserved, sometimes
obscured or even lost.
This histological differentiation is accompanied by a 2^^i'ysio-
logical division of lahotir. Each tissue may be supposed to be
composed of physiological units, the units of the same tissue being
alike but differing from the units of other tissues ; and corre-
sponding to this difference of structure, the units of different
tissues behave or act differently. Instead of all the units as in
the amceba doing the same things equally well, the units of one
tissue are told off as it were to do one thing especially well, or
especially fully, and thus the whole labour of the body is divided
among the several tissues.
§ 7. The several tissues may thus be classified according to
the work which they have to do ; and the first great distinction is
into (1) the tissues which are concerned in the setting free of
energy in special ways, and (2) the tissues which are concerned in
replenishing the substance and so renewing the energy of the body.
Each physiological unit of the amceba while it is engaged in
1 Such a physiological unit might be called a somacule.
INTRODUCTION. 7
setting free energy so as to move itself, and by reason of its
sensitiveness so directing that energy as to produce a movement
suitable to the conditions of its surroundings, has at the same
time to bear the labour of taking in raw food, of selecting that
part of the raw food which is useful and rejecting that which
is useless, and of working up the accepted part through a variety
of stages into its own living substance ; that is to say, it has at
the same time that it is feeling and moving to carry on the work
of digesting and assimilating. It has moreover at the same time
to throw out the waste matters arising from the changes taking
place in its own substance, having first brought these waste
matters into a condition suitable for being thrown out.
§ 8. In the body of man, movements, as we shall see, are broadly
speaking carried out by means of muscular tissue, and the changes
in muscular tissue which lead to the setting free of energy in the
form of movement are directed, governed, and adapted to the
surroundings of man, by means of nervous tissue. Eays of light
fall on the nervous substance of the eye called the retina, and set
up in the retina changes which induce in the optic nerve other
changes, which in turn are propagated to the brain as oiervous
impulses, both the excitation and the propagation involving an
expenditure of energy. These nervous impulses reaching the brain
may induce other nervous impulses which travelling down certain
nerves to certain muscles may lead to changes in those muscles
by which they suddenly grow short and pull upon the bones or
other structures to which they are attached, in which case we say
the man starts ; or the nervous impulses reaching the brain may
produce some other effects. Similarly, sound falling on the ear,
or contact between the skin and some foreign body, or some change
in the air or other surroundings of the body, or some change within
the body itself may so affect the nervous tissue of the body that
nervous impulses are started and travel to this point or to that,
to the brain or elsewhere, and eventually may either reach some
muscular tissue and so give rise to movements, or may reach
other tissues and produce some other effect.
The muscular tissue then may be considered as given up to
the production of movement, and the nervous tissue as given
up to the generation, transformation, and propagation of nervous
impulses. In each case there is an expenditure of energy, which
in the case of the muscle, as we shall see, leaves the body partly
as heat, and partly as work done, but in the case of nervous tissue
is wholly or almost wholly transformed into heat before it leaves
the body ; and this expenditure necessitates a replenishment of
energy and a renewal of substance.
§ 9. In order that these master tissues — the nervous and
muscular tissues — may carry on their important works to the best
advantage, they are relieved of much of the labour that falls upon
each physiological unit of the amoeba. They are not presented
8 TISSUES AND OEGANS.
with raw food ; they are not required to carry out the necessary
transformations of their immediate waste matters. The whole of
the rest of the body is engaged (1) in so preparing the raw food,
and so bringing it to the nervous and muscular tissues that these
may build it up into their own substance with the least trouble ;
and (2) in receiving the waste matters which arise in muscular
and nervous tissues, and preparing them for rapid and easy
ejection from the body.
Thus to certain tissues, which we may speak of broadly as
' tissues of digestion,' is allotted the duty of acting on the food and
preparing it for the use of the muscular and nervous tissues ; and
to other tissues, which we may speak of as ' tissues of excretion,'
is allotted the duty of clearing the body from the waste matters
generated by the muscular and nervous tissues.
§ 10. These tissues are for the most part arranged in machines
or mechanisms called organs, and the working of these organs in-
volves movement. The movements of these organs are carried out,
like the other movements of the body, chiefly by means of muscular
tissue governed by nervous tissue. Hence we may make a dis-
tinction between the muscles which are concerned in producing an
effect on the world outside man's body — the muscles by which
man does his work in the world — and the muscles which are con-
cerned in carrying out the movements of the internal organs ; and
we may similarly make a distinction between the nervous tissue
concerned in carrying out the external work of the body and that
concerned in regulating the movements and, as we shall see, the
general conduct of the internal organs. But these two classes of
muscular and nervous tissue though distinct in work and, as we
shall see, often different in structure, are not separated or isolated.
On the contrary, while it is the main duty of the nervous tissue as
a whole (the nervous system, as we may call it) to carry out, by
means of nervous impulses passing hither and thither, what may
be spoken of as the work of man, and in this sense is the master
tissue, it also serves as a bond of union between itself and the
muscles doing external work on the one hand, and the organs of
digestion or excretion on the other, so that the activity and con-
duct of the latter may be adequately adapted to the needs of the
former.
§ 11. Lastly, the food prepared and elaborated by the digestive
organs is carried and presented to the muscular and nervous
tissues in the form of a coniplex fluid known as blood, which
driven by means of a complicated mechanism known as the
vascular system, circulates all over the body, visiting in turn all
the tissues of the body, and by a special arrangement known as
the respiratory mechanism, carrying in itself to the several tissues
a supply of oxygen as well as of food more properly so called.
The motive power of this vascular system is supplied as in the
case of the digestive system by means of muscular tissue, the
INTRODUCTION. 9
activity of which is simihirly governed by the nervous system, and
hence the flow of blood to this part or that part is regulated
according to the needs of the part.
§ 12. The above slight sketch will perhaps suffice to shew
not only how numerous but how varied are the problems with
which Physiology has to deal.
In the first place there are what may be called general prob-
lems, such as. How the food after its preparation and elaboration
into blood is built up into the living substance of the several
tissues ? How the living substance breaks down into the dead
waste ? How the building up and breaking down differ in the
different tissues in such a way that energy is set free in different
modes, — the muscular tissue contracting, the nervous tissue thrill-
ing with a nervous impulse, the secreting tissue doing chemical
work, and the like ? To these general questions the answers which
we can at present give can hardly be called answers at all.
In the second place there are what may be called special
problems, such as. What are the various steps by which the blood
is kept replenished with food and oxygen, and kept free from an
accumulation of waste, and how is the activity of the digestive,
respiratory, and excretory organs, which effect this, regulated and
adapted to the stress of circumstances ? What are the details
of the working of the vascular mechanism by which each and
every tissue is forever bathed with fresh blood, and how is that
working delicately adapted to all the varied changes of the body ?
And, compared with which all other special problems are insignifi-
cant and preparatory only. How do nervous impulses so flit to and
fro within the nervous system as to issue in the movements which
make up what we sometimes call the life of man ? It is to these
special problems that we must chiefly confine our attention, and
we may fitly begin with a study of the blood.
BOOK I.
BLOOD. THE TISSUES OF MOVEMENT. THE
VASCULAE MECHANISM.
CHAPTER I.
BLOOD.
§ 13. The several tissues are traversed by minute tubes, — the
capillary blood vessels, — to which blood is brought by the arteries,
and from which blood is carried away by the veins. These
capillaries form networks the meshes of which, differing in form
and size in the different tissues, are occupied by the elements of
the tissue which consequently lie outside the capillaries.
The blood flowing through the capillaries consists, under normal
conditions, of an almost colourless fluid, the j>/as??ia, in which are
carried a number of bodies, the red and the lohite corpuscles.
Outside the capillary walls, filling up such spaces as exist between
the capillary walls and the cells or fibres of the tissue, or between
the elements of the tissue themselves, is found a colourless fluid,
resembling in many respects the plasma of blood and called
lyriiph. Thus all the elements of the tissue and the outsides of
all the capillaries are bathed with lymph, which, as we shall
see hereafter, is continually flowing away from the tissue along
special channels to pass into lymphatic vessels and thence into
the blood.
As the blood flows through the capillaries certain constituents
of the plasma (together with, at times, white corpuscles, and
under exceptional circumstances red corpuscles) pass through
the capillary wall into the lymph, and certain constituents of the
lymph pass through the capillary wall into the blood within the
capillary. There is thus an interchange of material between
the blood within the capillary and the lymph outside. A similar
interchange of material is at the same time going on between the
lymph and the tissue itself. Hence, by means of the lymph acting
as middleman, a double interchange of material takes place between
the blood within the capillary and the tissue outside the capillary.
In every tissue, so long as life lasts and the blood flows through
the blood vessels, a double stream, now rapid now slow, is passing
from the blood to the tissue and from the tissue to the blood.
The stream from the blood to the tissue carries to the tissue
the material which the tissue needs for building itself up and
for doing its work, including the all-important oxygen. The
14 BLOOD AN INTERNAL MEDIUM. [Book i.
stream from the tissue to the blood carries into the blood certain
of the products of the chemical changes which have been taking
place in the tissue, — products which may be simple waste, to be
cast out of the body as soon as possible, or which may be bodies
capable of being made use of by some other tissue.
A third stream, that from the lymph lying in the chinks and
crannies of the tissue along the lymph channels to the larger
lymph vessels, carries away from the tissue such parts of the
material coming from the blood as are not taken up by the tissue
itself and such parts of the material coming from the tissue as do
not find their way into the blood vessel.
In most tissues, as in muscle for instance, the capillary net-
work is so close set and the muscular fibre lies so near to the
blood vessel that the lymph between the two exists only as a very
thin sheet ; but in some tissues, as in cartilage, the blood vessels
lie on the outside of a large mass of tissue, the interchange be-
tween the central parts of which and the nearest capillary blood
vessel is carried on through a long stretch of lymph passages. But
in each case the principle is the same : the tissue, by the help of
lymph, lives on the blood ; and when in succeeding pages we
speak of changes between the blood and the tissues, it will be
understood, whether expressly stated so or no, that the changes
are effected by means of the lymph. The blood may thus be
regarded as an internal medium bearing the same relations to
the constituent tissues that the external medium, the world, does
to the whole individual. Just as the whole organism lives on the
things around it, its air and its food, so the several tissues live on
the complex fluid by which they are all bathed and which is to
them their immediate air and food.
All the tissues take up oxygen from the blood and give up
carbonic acid to the blood, but not always at the same rate or at
the same time. Moreover the several tissues take up from the
blood and give up to the blood either different things or the same
things at different rates or at different times.
From this it follows, on the one hand, that the composition and
characters of the blood must be for ever varying in different parts
of the body and at different times ; and on the other hand, that
the united action of all the tissues must tend to establish and
maintain an average uniform composition of the whole mass of
blood. The special changes which blood is known to undergo
while it passes through the several tissues will best be dealt with
when the individual tissues and organs come under our considera-
tion. At present it will be sufficient to study the main features
which are presented by blood, brought, so to speak, into a state of
equilibrium by the common action of all the tissues.
Of all these main features of blood, the most striking if not
the most important is the property it possesses of clotting when
shed.
SEC. 1. THE CLOTTING OF BLOOD.
§ 14. Blood, when shed from the blood vessels of a living l3ody,
is perfectly fluid. In a short time it becomes viscid : it flows less
readily from vessel to vessel. The viscidity increases rapidly until
the whole mass of blood under observation becomes a complete
jelly. The vessel into which it has been shed can at this stage be
inverted without a drop of the blood being spilt. The jelly is of
the same bulk as the previously fluid blood, and if carefully shaken
out will present a complete mould of the interior of the vessel.
If the blood in this jelly stage be left untouched in a glass vessel,
a few drops of an almost colourless fluid soon make their appearance
on the surface of the jelly. Increasing in number, and running
together, the drops after a while form a superficial layer of pale
straw-coloured fluid. Later on, similar layers of the same fluid are
seen at the sides and finally at the bottom of the jelly, which,
shrunk to a smaller size and of firmer consistency, now forms a
clot or crassamentum, floating in a perfectly fluid serum. The
shrinking and condensation of the clot, and the corresponding
increase of the serum, continue for some time. The upper surface
of the clot is generally slightly concave. A portion of the clot
examined under the microscope is seen to consist of a feltwork of
fine granular fibrils, in the meshes of which are entangled the red
and white corpuscles of the blood. In the serum nothing can be
seen but a few stray corpuscles, chiefly white. The fibrils are
composed of a substance called fibrin. Hence we may speak
of the clot as consisting of fibrin and corpuscles ; and the act
of clotting is obviously a substitution for the plasma of fibrin
and serum, followed by a separation of the fibrin and corpuscles
from the serum.
In man, blood when shed becomes viscid in about two or
three minutes, and enters the jelly stage in about five or ten
minutes. After the lapse of another few minutes the first drops
of serum are seen, and clotting is generally complete in from one
16 PHEI^OMEN"A OF CLOTTING. [Book i.
to several hours. The times however will be found to vary accord-
ing to circumstances. Among animals the rapidity of clotting
varies exceedingly in different species. The blood of the horse
clots with remarkable slowness ; so slowly indeed that many of the
red and also some of the white corpuscles (both these being speci-
fically heavier than the plasma) have time to sink before viscidity
sets in. In consequence there appears on the surface of the blood
an upper layer of colourless plasma, containing in its deeper por-
tions many colourless corpuscles (which are lighter than the red).
This layer clots like the other parts of the blood, forming the so-
called ' buffy coat.' A similar buffy coat is sometimes seen in the
blood of man, in certain abnormal conditions of the body.
If a portion of horse's blood be surrounded by a cooling
mixture of ice and salt, and thus kept at about 0°C., clotting
may be almost indefinitely postponed. Under these circumstances
a more complete descent of the corpuscles takes place, and a
considerable quantity of colourless transparent plasma free from
blood-corpuscles may be obtained. A portion of this plasma
removed from the freezing mixture clots in the same manner as
does the entire blood. It first becomes viscid and then forms a
jelly, which subsequently separates into a colourless shrunken clot
and serum. This shews that the corpuscles are not an essential
part of the clot.
If a few cubic centimetres of this colourless plasma, or of a
similar plasma which may be obtained from almost any blood by
means which we will presently describe, be diluted with many
times its bulk of a 0-6 p.c. solution of sodium chloride^ clotting is
much retarded, and the various stages may be more easily watched.
As the fluid is becoming viscid, fine fibrils of fibrin will be seen to
be developed in it, especially at the sides of the containing vessel.
As these fibrils multiply in number, the fluid becomes more and
more of the consistence of a jelly and at the same time somewhat
opaque. Stirred or pulled about with a needle, the fibrils shrink
up into a small, opaque, stringy mass ; and a very considerable
bulk of the jelly may by agitation be resolved into a minute
fragment of shrunken fibrin floating in a quantity of what is
really diluted serum. If a specimen of such diluted plasma
be stirred from time to time, as soon as clotting begins, with a
needle or glass rod, the fibrin may be removed piecemeal as it
forms, and the jelly stage may be altogether done away with.
When fresh blood which has not yet had time to clot is stirred or
whipped with a bundle of rods (or anything presenting a large
amount of rough surface), no jelly-like clotting takes place, but
the rods become covered with a mass of shrunken fibrin. Blood
thus whipped until fibrin ceases to be deposited, is found to have
entirely lost its power of clotting.
1 A solution of sodium chloride of this strength will hereafter be spoken of as
'normal saline solution.'
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 17
Putting these facts together, it is very clear that the pheno-
mena of the clotting of blood are caused by the appearance in the
plasma of fine fibrils of fibrin. So long as these are scanty, the
blood is simply viscid. When they become sutticiently numerous,
they give the blood the firmness of a jelly. Soon after their
formation they begin to shrink, and while shrinking enclose in
their meshes the corpuscles but squeeze out the fiuid parts of the
blood. Hence the appearance of the shrunken coloured clot and
the colourless serum.
§ 15. Fibrin, whether obtained by whipping freshly-shed blood,
or by washing either a normal clot, or a clot obtained from colour-
less plasma, exhibits the same general characters. It belongs to
that class of complex unstable nitrogenous bodies called proteids
which form a large portion of all living bodies and an essential
part of all living structures.
Our knowledge of proteids is at present too imperfect, and
probably none of them have yet been prepared in adequate purity,
to justify us in attempting to assign to them any definite formula ;
but it is important to remember their general composition. 100
parts of a proteid contain rather more than 50 parts of carbon,
rather more than 15 of nitrogen, about 7 of hydrogen, and rather
more than 20 of oxygen ; that is to say, they contain about half
their weight of carbon, and only about ^th their weight of nitrogen ;
and yet as we shall see they are eminently the nitrogenous sub-
stances of the body. They usually contain a small quantity
(1 or 2 p.c.) of sulphur, and many also have some phosphorus
attached to them in some way or other. When burnt they leave
a variable quantity of ash, consisting of inorganic salts of which
the bases are chiefly sodium and potassium and the acids chiefly
hydrochloric, sulphuric, phosphoric, and carbonic.
They all give certain reactions, by which their presence may
be recognised ; of these the most characteristic are the following :
Boiled with nitric acid they give a yellow colour, which deepens
into orange upon the addition of ammonia. This is called the
xantlioioroteic test ; the colour is due to a product of decomposi-
tion. Boiled with the mixture of mercuric and mercurous
nitrates known as Millon's reagent they give a pink colour.
Mixed with a strong solution of sodic hydrate they give on the
addition of a drop or two of a very weak solution of cupric sul-
phate a violet colour which deepens on heating. These are artificial
reactions, not throwing much if any light on the constitution of
proteids ; but they are useful as practical tests enabling us to
detect the presence of proteids.
The several members of the proteid group are at present dis-
tinguished from each other chiefly by their respective solubilities,
especially in various saline solutions. Fibrin is one of the least
soluble ; it is insoluble in water, almost insoluble in dilute neutral
saline solutions, very sparingly soluble in more concentrated
2
18 PROTEIDS OF SERUM. [Book i.
neutral saline solutions and in dilute acids and alkalis, but is
easily dissolved in strong acids and alkalis. In the process of
solution it becomes changed into something which is no longer
fibrin. In dilute acids it swells up and becomes transparent, but
when the acid is neutralized returns to its previous condition.
When suspended in water and heated to 100° C. or even to 75° C,
it becomes changed ; it is still less soluble than before. It is said
in this case to be coagulated by the heat ; and as we shall see,
nearly all proteids have the property of being changed in nature,
of undergoing coagulation and so becoming less soluble than
before, by being exposed to a certain high temperature.
Fibrin then is a proteid distinguished from other proteids by
its smaller solubility ; it is further distinguished by its peculiar
filamentous structure, the other proteids when obtained in a solid
form appearing either in amorphous granules or at most in viscid
masses.
§ 16. We may now return to the serum.
This is perfectly fluid, and remains fluid until it decomposes.
It is of a faint straw colour, due to the presence of a special
pigment substance, differing from the red matter which gives
redness to the red corpuscles.
Tested by the xanthoproteic and other tests it obviously
contains a large quantity of proteid matter, and upon examination
we find that at least two distinct proteid substances are present
in it.
If crystals of magnesium sulphate be added to serum and
gently stirred until they dissolve, it will be seen that the serum
as it approaches saturation with the salt becomes turbid instead
of remaining clear, and eventually a white amorphous granular or
flocculent precipitate makes its appearance. This precipitate may
be separated by decantation or filtration, washed with saturated
•solutions of magnesium sulphate, in which it is insoluble, until
it is freed from all other constituents of the serum, and thus
obtained fairly pure. It is then found to be a proteid body,
distinguished by the following characters among others : —
1. It is (when freed from any adherent magnesium sulphate)
insoluble in distilled water ; it is insoluble in concentrated
solutions of neutral saline bodies, such as magnesium sulphate,
sodium chloride, &c., but readily soluble in dilute (e.g. 1 p.c)
solutions of the same neutral saline bodies. Hence from its
solutions in the latter it may be precipitated either by adding
more neutral saline substance or by removing by dialysis the
small quantity of saline substance present. When obtained in a
precipitated form, and suspended in distilled water, it readily
dissolves into a clear solution upon the addition of a small quan-
tity of some neutral saline body. By these various solutions and
precipitations it is not really changed in nature.
2. It readily dissolves in very dilute acids (e.g. in hydro-
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 19
chloric acid even when dihited to far less than 1 p.c), and it is
similarly soluble in dilute alkalis; but in being thus dissolved it is
changed in nature, and the solutions of it in dilute acid and dilute
alkalis give reactions quite different from those of the solution
of the substance in dilute neutral saline solutions. By the acid
it is converted into what is called acid-alhumin, by the alkali
into alhali-albumin, both of which bodies we shall have to study
later on.
3. When it is suspended in water and heated it becomes
altered in character, coagulated, and all its reactions are changed.
It is no longer soluble in dilute neutral saline solutions, not even
in dilute acids and alkalis ; it has become coagulated irrotcid, and
is now even less soluble than fresh fibrin. When a solution of it
in dilute neutral saline solution is similarly heated, a similar
change takes place : a precipitate falls down which on examination
is found to be coagulated proteid. The temperature at which
this change takes place is somewhere about 75° C, though shift-
ing slightly according to the quantity of saline substance present in
the solution.
The above three reactions are given by a number of proteid
bodies forming a group called glolulins, and the particular globulin
present in blood-serum, is called jyaraglohidin.
One of the proteids present in blood-serum is then para-
globulin, characterised by its solubility in dilute neutral saline
solutions ; its insolubility in distilled water and concentrated saline
solutions ; its ready solubility, and at the same time conversion
into other bodies, in dilute acids and alkalis ; and in its becoming
converted into coagulated proteid, and so being precipitated from
its solutions at 75° C.
The amount of it present in blood-serum varies in various
animals, and apparently in the same animal at different times. In
100 parts by weight of serum there are generally present about
8 or 9 parts of proteids altogether ; and of these some 3 or 4, more
or less, may be taken as paraglobulin.
§ 17. If the serum from which the paraglobulin has been
precipitated by the addition of neutral salt, and removed by fil-
tration, be subjected to dialysis, the salt added may be removed,
and a clear, somewhat diluted serum free from paraglobulin may
be obtained.
This still gives abundant proteid reactions, so that the serum
still contains a proteid, or some proteids still more soluble than
the globulins, since they will remain in solution, and are not
precipitated, even when dialysis is continued until the serum is
practically freed from both the neutral salt added to it and the
diffusible salts previously present in the natural serum.
When this serum is heated to 75° C. a precipitate makes its
appearance ; the proteids still present are coagulated at this
temperature.
20 PROTEIDS OF SERUM. [Book i.
We have some reasons for thinking that more than one proteid
is present ; but they are all closely allied to each other, and we
may for the present speak of them as if they were one, and call
the proteid left in serum, after removal of the paraglobulin, by the
name of albumin, or, to distinguish it from other albumins found
elsewhere, serum-albumin. Serum-albumin is distinguished by
being more soluble than the globulins, since it is soluble in dis-
tilled water, even in the absence of all neutral salts. Like the
globulins, though with much less ease, it is converted by dilute
acids and dilute alkalis into acid- or into alkali-albumin.
The percentage amount of serum-albumin in serum may be
put down as 4 or 5, more or less ; but it varies, and sometimes is
less abundant than paraglobulin. In some animals (snakes) it is
said to disappear during starvation.
The more important characters of the three proteids which we
have just studied may be stated as follows : —
Soluble in water and in saline solutions of all
strengths - . serum-albumin.
Insoluble in water, readily soluble in dilute
saline solutions, insoluble in concentrated
saline solutions paraglobulin.
Insoluble in water, hardly soluble at all in
dilute saline solutions, and very little solu-
ble in more concentrated saline solutions . fibrin.
Besides paraglobulin and serum-albumin, serum contains a
very large number of substances, generally in small quantity,
which, since they have to be extracted by special methods, are
called extractives ; of these some are nitrogenous, some non-
nitrogenous. Serum contains in addition important inorganic
saline substances ; but to these we shall return.
§ 18. With the knowledge which we have gained of the pro-
teids of clotted blood we may go back to the question : Clotting
being due to the appearance in blood plasma of a proteid sub-
stance, fibrin, which previously did not exist in it as such, what
are the causes which lead to the appearance of fibrin ?
We learn something by studying the most important external
circumstances which affect the rapidity with which the blood of
the same individual clots when shed. These are as follows : —
A temperature of about 40° C, which is about or slightly above
the temperature of the blood of warm-blooded animals, is perhaps
the most favourable to clotting. A further rise of a few degrees is
apparently also beneficial, or at least not injurious ; but upon a still
further rise the effect changes, and when blood is rapidly heated
to 56° C. no clotting at all may take place. At this temperature
certain proteids of the blood are coagulated and precipitated
before clotting can take place, and with this change the power of
the blood to clot is wholly lost. If however the heating be not
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 21
very rapid, the blood may clot before this change has time to come
on. When the temperature instead of being raised is lowered
below 40° C. the clotting becomes delayed and prolonged ; and at
the temperature of 0° or 1° C. the blood will remain fluid, and yet
capable of clotting when withdrawn from the adverse circumstances,
for a very long, it might almost be said for an indefinite, time.
A small quantity of blood shed into a small vessel clots sooner
than a large quantity shed into a larger one ; and in general the
greater the amount of foreign surface with which the blood comes
in contact the more rapid the clotting. When shed blood is
stirred or " whipped " the fibrin makes its appearance sooner than
when the blood is left to clot in the ordinary way ; so that here
too the accelerating infiuence of contact with foreign bodies makes
itself felt. Similarly, movement of shed blood hastens clotting,
since it increases the amount of contact with foreign bodies. So
also the addition of spongy platinum or of powdered charcoal, or
of other inert powders, to tardily clotting blood, will by infiuence
of surface, hasten clotting. Conversely, blood brought into contact
with pure oil does not clot so rapidly as when in contact with glass
or metal ; and blood will continue to flow for a longer time without
clotting through a tube smeared inside with oil than through a
tube not so smeared. The influence of the oil in such cases is a
physical not a chemical one ; any pure, neutral, inert oil will do.
As far as we know, these influences affect only the rapidity with
which the clotting takes place ; that is, the rapidity with which the
fibrin makes its appearance, not the amount of clot, not the quan-
tity of fibrin formed, though when clotting is very much retarded
by cold changes may ensue whereby the amount of clotting which
eventually takes place is indirectly affected.
Mere exposure to air exerts apparently little influence on the
process of clotting. Blood collected direct from a blood-vessel
over mercury so as wholly to exclude the air, clots, in a general
way, as readily as blood freely exposed to the air. It is only when
blood is much laden with carbonic acid, the presence of which is
antagonistic to clotting, that exclusion of air, by hindering the
escape of the excess of carbonic acid, delays clotting.
These facts teach us that fibrin does not as was once thought
make its appearance in shed blood because the blood when shed
ceases to share in the movement of the circulation, or because the
blood is cooled on leaving the warm body, or because the blood is
then more freely exposed to the air ; they further suggest the view
that the fibrin is the result of some chemical change, the conversion
into fibrin of something which is not fibrin, the change like other
chemical changes being most active at an optimum temperature,
and like so many other chemical changes being assisted by the
influences exerted by the presence of inert bodies.
And we have direct experimental evidence that plasma does
contain an antecedent of fibrin which by chemical change is
converted into fibrin.
22 PLASMA. [Book I.
§ 19. If blood be received direct from the blood-vessels into
one-third its bulk of a saturated solution of some neutral salt such
as magnesium sulphate, and the two gently but thoroughly mixed,
clotting, especially at a moderately low temperature, will be
deferred for a very long time. If the mixture be allowed to stand,
the corpuscles will sink, and a colourless plasma will be obtained
similar to the plasma gained from horse's blood by cold, except
that it contains an excess of the neutral salt. The presence of
the neutral salt has acted in the same direction as cold : it has
prevented the occurrence of clotting. It has not destroyed the
fibrin ; for if some of the plasma be diluted with from five to ten
times its bulk of water, it will clot speedily in quite a normal
fashion, with the production of quite normal fibrin.
The separation of the fluid plasma from the corpuscles and from
other bodies heavier than the plasma is much facilitated by the use of
the centrifugal machine. This consists essentially of a tireless wheel
with several spokes, placed in a horizontal position and made to revolve
with great velocity (1000 revolutions per minute for instance) round
its axis. Tubes of metal or very strong glass are suspended at the ends
of the spokes by carefully adjusted joints. As the wheel rotates with
increasing velocity, each tube gradually assumes a horizontal position,
bottom outwards, without spilling any of its contents. As the rapid
rotation continues the corpuscles and heavier particles are driven to the
bottom of the tube, and if a very rapid movement be continued for a
long time will form a compact cake at the bottom of the tube. When
the rotation is stopped the tubes gradually return to their upright posi-
tion again without anything being spilt, and the clear plasma in each tube
can then be decanted off.
If some of the colourless, transparent plasma, obtained either
by the action of neutral salts from any blood, or by the help of
cold from horse's blood, be treated with some solid neutral salt,
such as sodium chloride, to saturation, a white, flaky, somewhat
sticky precipitate will make its appearance. If this precipitate
be removed, the fluid no longer possesses the power of clotting (or
very slightly so), even though the neutral salt present be removed
by dialysis, or its influence lessened by dilution. With the re-
moval of the substance precipitated, the plasma has lost its power
of clotting.
If the precipitate itself, after being washed with a saturated
solution of the neutral salt (in which it is insoluble) so as to get
rid of all serum and other constituents of the plasma, be treated
with a small quantity of water, it readily dissolves,^ and the
solution rapidly filtered gives a clear, colourless filtrate, which is
at first perfectly fluid. Soon, however, the fluidity gives way to
1 The substance itself is not sohible in distilled water, but a quantity of the
neutral salts always clings to the precipitate, and thus the addition of water virtually
gives rise to a dilute saline solution, in which the substance is readily soluble.
Chap. i.J BLOOD. 23
viscidity, and this in turn to a jelly condition, and finally the jelly
shrinks into a clot floating in a clear fluid ; in other words, the
filtrate clots like plasma. Thus there is present in cooled plasma,
and in plasma kept from clotting by the presence of neutral salts,
a something, precipitable by saturation with neutral salts ; a some-
thing which, since it is soluble in very dilute saline solutions,
cannot be fibrin itself, but which in solution speedily gives rise to
the appearance of fibrin. To this substance its discoverer, Denis,
gave the name of plasminc.
The substance thus precipitated is not however a single body
but a mixture of at least two bodies. If sodium chloride be
carefully added to plasma to an extent of about 13 per cent, a
white, flaky, viscid precipitate is thrown down very much like
plasmine. If after the removal of the first precipitate more sodium
chloride and especially if magnesium sulphate be added, a second
precipitate is thrown down, less viscid and more granular than the
first.
The second precipitate when examined is found to be identical
with the paraglohulin, coagulating at 75° C, which we have
already seen to be a constituent of serum.
The first precipitate is also a proteid belonging to the globulin
group, but differs from paraglobulin not only in being more
readily precipitated by sodium chloride, and in being when
precipitated more viscid, but also in other respects, and especially
in being coagulated at a far lower temperature than paraglobulin,
viz. at 56° C. Now, while isolated paraglobulin cannot by any
means known to us be converted into fibrin, and its presence in
the so-called plasmine does not seem to be essential to the for-
mation of fibrin out of plasmine, the presence in plasmine of the
body coagulating at 56° C. does seem essential to the conversion
of plasmine into fibrin ; and we have reason for thinking that it is
itself converted, in part at least, into fibrin. Hence it has received
the name of fibrinogen.
§ 20. The reasons for this view are as follows.
Besides blood, which clots naturally when shed, there are
certain fluids in the body which do not clot naturally, either in
the body or when shed, but which by certain artificial means may
be made to clot, and in clotting to yield quite normal fibrin.
Thus the so-called serous fluid taken some hours after death^
from the pericardial, pleural, or peritoneal cavities, the fluid found in
the enlarged serous sac of the testis, known as hydrocele fluid, and
other similar fluids, will in the majority of cases, when obtained free
from blood or other admixtures, remain fluid almost indefinitely,
shewing no disposition whatever to clot.- Yet in most cases at
1 If it be removed immediately after death it generally clots readily and firmly,
giving a colourless clot consisting of fibrin and white corpuscles.
- In some specimens, however, a spontaneous coagulation, generally slight, but in
exceptional cases massive, may be observed.
24 FIBRm FERMENT. [Book i.
all events, these fluids, when a little blood, or a piece of blood clot,
or a little serum is added to them, will clot rapidly and firmly,^
giving rise to an unmistakeable clot of normal fibrin, differing only
from the clot of blood in that, when serum is used, it is colourless,
being free from red corpuscles.
Now, blood (or blood clot, or serum) contains many things, to
any one of which the clotting power thus seen might be attributed.
But it is found that in many cases clotting may be induced in the
fluids of which we are speaking by the mere addition and that
even in exceedingly small quantity, of a substance which can be
extracted from blood, or from serum, or from blood clot, or even
from washed fibrin, or indeed from other sources, — a substance
whose exact nature is uncertain, it being doubtful whether it is a
proteid at all, and whose action is peculiar.
If serum, or whipped blood, or a broken-up clot be mixed with
a large quantity of alcohol and allowed to stand some days, the
proteids present are in time so changed by the alcohol as to
become insoluble in water. Hence if the copious precipitate
caused by the alcohol, after long standing, be separated by filtration
from the alcohol, dried at a low temperature, not exceeding 40° C,
and extracte'd with distilled water, the aqueous extract contains
very little proteid matter, — indeed very little organic matter at all.
Nevertheless even a small quantity of this aqueous extract added
alone to certain specimens of hydrocele fluid or other of the fluids
spoken of above, will bring about a speedy clotting. The same
aqueous extract has also a remarkable effect in hastening the
clotting of fluids which, though they will eventually clot, do so
very slowly. Thus, plasma may, by the careful addition of a
certain quantity of neutral salt and water, be reduced to such a
condition that it clots very slowly indeed, taking perhaps days to
complete the process. The addition of a small quantity of the
aqueous extract we are describing will, however, bring about a
clotting which is at once rapid and complete.
The active substance, whatever it be, in this aqueous extract
exists in small quantity only, and its clotting virtues are at once
and for ever lost when the solution is boiled. Further, there is no
reason to think that the active substance actually enters into the
formation of the fibrin to which it gives rise. It appears to belong
to a class of bodies playing an important part in physiological
processes and called ferments, of which we shall have more to say
hereafter. We may therefore speak of it as the fibrin ferment, the
name given to it by its discoverer Alexander Schmidt.
This fibrin ferment is present in and may be extracted from
clotted or whipped blood, and from both the clot ^ and the serum
of clotted blood ; and since in most if not all cases where blood or
■^ In a few cases no coagulation can thus be induced.
2 A powerful solution of fibrin ferment may be readily prepared by simply
extracting a washed blood clot with a 10 p.c. solution of sodium chloride.
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 26
blood clot or serum produces clotting in hydrocele or pericardial
fluid, an exactly similar clotting may be induced by the mere
addition of fibrin ferment, we seem justified in concluding that
the clotting virtues of the former are due to the ferment which
they contain.
Now, when fibrinogen is precipitated from plasma as above
described by sodium chloride, re-dissolved, and reprecipitated, more
than once, it may be obtained in solution, by help of a dilute
neutral saline solution, in an approximately pure condition, at
all events free from other proteids. Such a solution will not clot
spontaneously ; it may remain fluid indefinitely ; and yet on the
addition of a little fibrin ferment it will clot readily and firmly,
yielding quite normal fibrin.
This body fibrinogen is also present and may be separated out
from the specimens of hydrocele, pericardial, and other fluids which
clot on the addition of fibrin ferment ; and when the fibrinogen has
been wholly removed from these fluids they refuse to clot on the
addition of fibrin ferment.
Paraglobulin, on the other hand, whether prepared from
plasmine by separation of the fibrinogen, or from serum, or from
other fluids in which it is found, cannot be converted by fibrin
ferment or indeed by any other means into fibrin. And fibrinogen
isolated as described above, or serous fluids which contain
fibrinogen, can be made, by means of fibrin ferment, to yield
quite normal fibrin in the complete absence of paraglobulin. A
solution of paraglobulin obtained from serum or blood clot will, it
is true, clot pericardial or hydrocele fluids containing fibrinogen,
or indeed a solution of fibrinogen ; but this is apparently due to
the fact that the paraglobulin has in these cases some fibrin
ferment mixed with it ; it is also possible that under certain
conditions the presence of paraglobulin may be favourable to the
action of the ferment.
When the so-called plasmine is precipitated as directed in
§ 19, fibrin ferment is carried down with the fibrinogen and para-
globulin ; and when the plasmine is re-dissolved the ferment is
present in the solution and ready to act on the fibrinogen. Hence
the re-dissolved plasmine clots spontaneously. When fibrinogen
is isolated from plasma by repeated precipitation and solution, the
ferment is washed away from it, and the pure ferment-free fibrm-
ogen, ultimately obtained, does not clot spontaneously.
So far it seems clear that there does exist a proteid body,
fibrinogen, which may by the action of fibrin ferment be directly,
without the intervention of other proteids, converted into the
less soluble fibrin. Our knowledge of the constitution of proteid
bodies is too imperfect to enable us to make any very definite
statement as to the exact nature of the change thus effected ; but
we may say this much: Fibrinogen and fibrin have about the
same elementary composition, fibrin containing a trifle more
26 FIBEINOGEN AND FIBKIK [Book i.
nitrogen. "When fibrinogen is converted into fibrin by means of
fibrin ferment, the weight of the fibrin produced is always less
than that of the fibrinogen which is consumed, and there is always
produced at the same time a certain quantity of another proteid,
iDelonging to the globulin family. There are reasons however
why we cannot speak of the ferment as splitting up fibrinogen
into fibrin and a globulin. It seems more probable that the
ferment converts the fibrinogen first into a body which we might
call soluble fihrin, and then turns this body into veritable fibrin ;
but further inquiries on the subject are needed.
The action of the fibrin ferment on fibrinogen is dependent on
other conditions besides temperature ; for instance, the presence
of a calcium salt seems to be necessary. If blood be shed into a
dilute solution of potassium oxalate, the mixture, which need not
contain more than l p.c. of the oxalate, remains fluid indefinitely,
but clots readily on the addition of a small quantity of a calcium
salt. Apparently the oxalate, by precipitating the calcium salts
present in the Ijlood, prevents the conversion of the fibrinogen
into fibrin. So also a solution of fibrinogen which has been
deprived of its calcium salts, by diffusion for instance, will not clot
on the addition of fibrin ferment similarly deprived of its calcium
salts ; but the mixture clots readily on the addition of a minute
quantity of calcium sulphate. We shall have to speak later on of
a somewhat analogous part played by calcium salts in the curdling
of milk. It may be added that the presence of other neutral
salts, such as sodium chloride, appears to influence clotting.
§ 21.. We may conclude then that the plasma of blood when
shecl, or at all events soon after it has been shed, contains fibrino-
gen; and it also seems probable that the clotting comes about
because the fibrinogen is converted into fibrin by the action of
fibrin ferment ; but we are still far from a definite answer to the
question, why blood remains fluid in the body and yet clots when
shed ?
We have already said that blood or blood plasma, brought up to
a temperature of 56° C. as soon as possible after its removal from
the living blood vessels, gives a proteid precipitate and loses its
power of clotting. This may be taken to shew that blood, as it
circulates in the living blood vessels, contains fibrinogen as such,
and that when the blood is heated to 56° C, which is the coagu-
lating point of fibrinogen, the fibrinogen present is coagulated and
precipitated, and consequently no fibrin can be formed.
Further, while clotted blood undoubtedly contains an abundance
of fibrin ferment, no ferment, or a minimal quantity only, is present
in blood as it leaves the blood vessels. If blood be received directly
from the blood vessels into alcohol, the aqueous extract prepared
as directed above contains no ferment, or merely a trace. Appa-
rently the ferment makes its appearance in the blood as the result
of changes taking place in the blood after it has been shed.
CiiAr. I.] BLOOD. 27
We might from this be indmed to conclude that blood clots
when shed but not before, because, fibrinogen being always present,
the shedding brings about changes which produce fibrin ferment,
not previously existing, and this acting on the fibrinogen gives rise
to fibrin. But we meet with the following difficulty. A very
considerable quantity of very active ferment may be injected into
the blood current of a living animal without necessarily producing
any clotting at all. Obviously, either blood within the blood
vessels does not contain fibrinogen as such, and the fibrinogen
detected by heating the blood to 56° 0. is the result of changes
which have already ensued before that temperature is reached ;
or in the living circulation there are agencies at work which
prevent any ferment which may be introduced into the circula-
tion from producing its usual effects on fibrinogen ; or there are
agencies at work which destroy or do away with the fibrin, little
by little, as it is formed.
§ 22. And indeed when we reflect how complex blood is, and
of what many and great changes it is susceptible, we shall not
wonder that the question we are putting cannot be answered off
hand.
The corpuscles with which blood is crowded are living structures,
and consequently are continually acting upon and being acted
upon by the plasma. The red corpuscles it is true are, as we shall
see, peculiar bodies, with a restricted life and a very specialized
work, and possibly their influence on the plasma is not very great ;
but we have reason to think that the relations between the white
corpuscles and the plasma are close and important.
Then again the blood is not only acting upon and being acted
upon by the several tissues as it flows through the various
capillaries, but along the whole of its course, through the heart,
arteries, capillaries, and veins, is acting upon and being acted upon
by the vascular walls, which like the rest of the body are alive,
and being alive are continually undergoing and promoting change.
That relations of some kind, having a direct influence on the
clotting of blood, do exist between the blood and the vascular
walls is shewn by the following facts.
After death, when all motion of the blood has ceased, the
blood remains for a long time fluid. It is not till some time
afterwards, at an epoch when post-mortem changes in the blood
and in the blood vessels have had time to develope themselves,
that clotting begins. Thus, some hours after death the blood in
the great veins may be found still perfectly fluid. Yet such blood
has not lost its _ power of clotting ; it still clots when removed
from the body, and clots too when received over mercury without
exposure to air, shewing that, though the blood, being highly
venous, is rich in carbonic acid and contains little or no oxygen, its
fluidity is not due to any excess of carbonic acid or absence of oxy-
gen. Eventually it does clot even within the vessels, but perhaps
28 INFLUENCE OF BLOOD VESSELS. [Book i.
never so firmly and completely as when shed. It clots first in the
larger vessels, but remains fluid in the smaller vessels for a very long
time, for many hours in fact, since in these the same bulk of blood
is exposed to the influence of, and reciprocally exerts an influence
on, a larger surface of the vascular walls than in the larger vessels.
And if it be urged that the result is here due to influences exerted
by the body at large, by the tissues as well as by the vascular walls,
this objection will not hold good against the following experiment.
If the jugular vein of a large animal, such as an ox or horse, be
carefully ligatured when full of blood, and the ligatured portion
excised, the blood in many cases remains perfectly fluid, along the
greater part of the length of the piece, for twenty-four or even
forty-eight hours. The piece so ligatured may be suspended in a
framework and opened at the top so as to imitate a living test-tube,
and yet the blood will often remain long fluid, though a portion
removed at any time into a glass or other vessel will clot in a few
minutes. If two such living test-tubes be prepared, the blood
may be poured from one to the other without clotting taking place.
A similar relation of the fluid to its containing living wall is
seen in the case of those serous fluids which clot spontaneously.
If, so soon after death as the body is cold and the fat is solidified,
the pericardium be carefully removed from a sheep by an incision
round the base of the heart, the pericardial fluid (which, as
we have already seen, during life, and some little time after death,
possesses the power of clotting) may be kept in the pericardial bag
as in a living cup for many hours without clotting, and yet a small
portion removed with a pipette clots at once.
This relation between the blood and the vascular wall may be
disturbed or overridden ; clotting may take place or may be induced
within the living blood vessel. When the lining membrane is
injured, as when an artery or vein is sharply ligatured, or when it
is diseased, as for instance in aneurism, a clot is apt to be formed
at the injured or diseased spot ; and in certain morbid conditions
of the body clots are formed in various vascular tracts. Absence
of motion, which in shed blood, as we have seen, is unfavourable
to clotting, is apt within the body to lead to clotting. Thus when
an artery is ligatured, the blood in the tract of artery on the
cardiac side of the ligature, between the ligature and the branch
last given off by the artery, ceasing to share in the circulation,
remains motionless or nearly so, and along this tract a clot forms,
firmest next to the ligature and ending near where the branch is
given off; this perhaps may be explained by the fact that the
walls of the tract suffer in their nutrition by the stagnation of the
blood, and that consequently the normal relation between them
and the contained blood is disturbed.
That the blood within the living blood vessels, though not
actually clotting under normal circumstances, may easily be made
to clot, that the blood is in fact so to speak always on the point
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 29
of clotting, is shewn by the fact that a foreign body, such as a
needle thrust into the interior of a blood vessel or a thread drawn
through and left in a blood vessel, is apt to become covered with
fibrin. Some influence exerted by the needle or thread, whatever
may be the character of that influence, is sufficient to determine a
clotting which otherwise would not have taken place.
The same instability of the blood as regards clotting is strikingly
shewn, in the case of the rabbit at least, by the result of injecting
into the blood vessels a small quantity of a solution of a peculiar
proteid prepared from certain structures such as the thymus body.
Massive clotting of the blood in almost all the blood vessels, small
and large, takes place with great rapidity, leading to the sudden
death of the animal. In contrast to this effect may be mentioned
the result of injecting into the blood vessels of a dog a quantity
of a solution of a body called cdhumose, of which we shall hereafter
have to treat as a product of the digestion of proteid substances,
to the extent of 3 grm. per kilo of body weight. So far from
producing clotting, the injected albumose has such an effect on
the blood that for several hours after the injection shed blood will
refuse to clot of itself and remain quite fluid, though it can be
made to clot by special treatment.
§ 23. All the foregoing facts tend to shew that the blood as it
is flowing through the healthy blood vessels is, so far as clotting is
concerned, in a state of unstable equilibrium, which may at any
moment be upset, even within the blood vessels, and which is upset
directly the blood is shed, with clotting as a result. Our present
knowledge does not permit us to make an authoritative statement
as to the exact nature of this equilibrium. There are reasons how-
ever for thinking that the white corpuscles play an important part
in the matter. Wherever clotting occurs naturally, white corpuscles
are present ; and this is true not only of blood but also of such
specimens of pericardial or other serous fluids as clot naturally.
When horse's blood is kept fluid by being retained within the
jugular vein, as mentioned a little while back, and the vein is
hung upright, the corpuscles both red and white sink, leaving
an upper layer of plasma almost free from corpuscles. This upper
layer will be found to have lost largely its power of clotting spon-
taneously, though the power is at once regained if the white
corpuscles from the layers beneath be returned to it. And many
other arguments, which we cannot enter upon here, may be adduced,
all pointing to the same conclusion, that the white corpuscles play
an important part in the process of clotting. But it would lead us
too far into controversial matters to attempt to define what that
part is, or to explain the exact nature of the equilibrium of which
we have spoken, or to discuss such questions as, Whether the
ordinary white corpuscles, or corpuscles of a special kind, are con-
cerned in the matter ? Whether the corpuscles, when clotting takes
place, give out something, — e.g., fibrinogen or ferment or both or
30 CLOTTING OF BLOOD. [Book i.
something else, — or whether the corpuscles simply in some way or
other assist in the transformation of some previously existing con-
stituents of the plasma ? Whether the influence exerted by the
condition of the vascular wall is exerted directly on the plasma or
indirectly on the corpuscles ? Whether, as some have thought, the
peculiar bodies of which we shall presently speak under the name
of hlood platelets have any share in the matter, and if so what ?
These questions are too involved and the discussion of them too
long to be entered upon here.
What we do know is that in blood soon after it has been shed,
the body which we have called fibrinogen is present, as also the
body which we have called fibrin ferment ; that the latter acting
on the former will produce fibrin ; and that the appearance of fibrin
is undoubtedly the cause of what is called clotting. We seem
justified in concluding that the clotting of shed blood is due to
the conversion by ferment of fibrinogen into fibrin. The further
inference that clotting within the body is the same thing as
clotting outside the body and similarly due to the transformation
of fibrinogen by ferment into fibrin, though probable, is not proved.
We do not yet know the exact nature and condition of the blood
within the' living blood vessels ; and until we know that we cannot
satisfactorily explain why blood in the living blood vessels is
usually fluid but can at times clot.
SEC. 2. THE CORPUSCLES OF THE BLOOD.
The Bed Corpuscles.
§ 24. The redness of blood is due exclusively to the red
corpuscles. The plasma as seen in thin layers within the living
blood vessels appears colourless, as does also a thin layer of serum ;
but a thick layer of serum (and probably of plasma) has a faint
yellowish tinge, due as we have said to the presence of a small
quantity of a special pigment.
The corpuscles appear under the microscope as fairly homo-
geneous, imperfectly translucent biconcave discs with a diameter of
7 to 8 /u, and a thickness of 1 to 2/x. Being discs they are circular
in outline when seen on the flat, but rod-shaped when seen in pro-
file as they are turning over. Being biconcave, with a thicker
rounded rim surrounding a thinner centre, the rays of light in
passing through them, when they are examined by transmitted
light, are more refracted at the rim than in the centre. The effect
of this is that, when viewed at what may be considered the proper
focus, the centre of a corpuscle appears clear, while a slight opacity
marks out indistinctly the inner margin of the thicker rim ; whereas,
when the focus is shifted either up or down, the centre becomes
dark and the rest of the corpuscle clear. Any body of the same
shape, and composed of substance of the same refractive power,
would produce the same optical effects. Otherwise the corpuscle
appears homogeneous without distinction of parts and without
a nucleus. A single corpuscle seen by itself has a very faint
colour, looking yellow rather than red, but when several corpuscles
lie one upon the top of the other the mass is distinctly red.
The red corpuscle is elastic, in the sense that it may be deformed
by pressure or traction, but when the pressure or traction is re-
moved regains its previous form. Its shape is also much influenced
by the physical conditions of the plasma, serum, or fluid in which
for the time being it is. If the plasma or serum be diluted with
water, the disc, absorbing water, swells up into a sphere, becoming
32 STEUCTUEE OF EED COEPUSCLE. [Book i.
a disc again on the removal of the dilution. If the serum be
concentrated, the disc, giving out water, shrinks irregularly and
assumes various forms ; one of these forms is that of a number
of blunted protuberances projecting all over the surface of the
corpuscle, which is then said to be crenate. In a drop of blood
examined under the microscope, crenate corpuscles are often
seen at the edge of the cover slip where evaporation is leading to
concentration of the plasma, or, as it should then perhaps rather
be called, serum. In blood just shed the red corpuscles are apt to
adhere to each other by their flat surfaces, much more than to the
glass or other surface with which the blood is in contact, and hence
arrange themselves in rolls. This tendency however to form rolls
very soon diminishes after the blood is shed.
Though a single corpuscle is somewhat translucent, a compara-
tively thin layer of blood is opaque ; type for instance cannot be
read through even a thin layer of blood.
When a quantity of whipped blood (or blood otherwise de-
prived of fibrin) is frozen and thawed several times it changes
colour, becoming of a darker hue, and is then found to be much
more transparent, so that type can now be easily read through a
moderately thin layer. It is then spoken of as laky Mood. The
same change may be effected by shaking the blood with ether, or
by adding a small quantity of bile salts, and in other ways. Upon
examination of laky blood it is found that the red corpuscles are
" broken up " or at least altered, and that the redness which pre-
viously was confined to them is now diffused through the serum.
Normal blood is opaque because each corpuscle, while permitting
some rays of light (chiefly red) to pass through, reflects many
others ; and the brightness of the hue of normal blood is due to
this reflection of light from the surfaces of the several corpuscles.
Laky blood is transparent because there are no longer intact
corpuscles to present surfaces for the reflection of light, and the
darker hue of laky blood is similarly due to the absence of reflection
from the several corpuscles.
When laky blood is allowed to stand a sediment is formed (and
may be separated by the centrifugal machine) which on exami-
nation is found to consist of discs, or fragments of discs, of a
colourless substance exhibiting under high powers an obscurely
spongy or reticular structure. These colourless thin discs seen flat-
wise often appear as mere rings. The substance composing them
stains with various reagents, and may thus be made more evident.
The red corpuscle, then, consists obviously of a colourless frame-
work, with which in normal conditions a red colouring matter is
associated ; but by various means the colouring matter may be
driven from the framework and dissolved in the serum.
The framework is spoken of as stroma ; it is a modified or
differentiated protoplasm, and upon chemical analysis yields pro-
teid substances, some of them at least belonging to the globulin
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 33
group, and other matters, among which is the peculiar complex
fat called lecithin, of which we shall have to speak in treating
of nervous tissue. In the nucleated red corpuscles of the lower
vertebrata this differentiated stroma, though forming the chief
part of the cell body around the nucleus, is accompanied by a
variable amount of undifferentiated protoplasm ; but the latter in
the mammalian red corpuscle is either absent altogetlier or reduced
to a minimum. Whether any part of this stroma is living, in the
sense of being capable of carrying on a continual double chemical
change, of continually building itself up as it breaks down, is a
question too difficult to be discussed here.
The red colouring matter which in normal conditions is asso-
ciated with this stroma may by appropriate means be isolated, and,
in the case of the blood of many animals, obtained in a crystalline
form. It is called Hmmoglohin, and may by proper methods be
split up into a proteid belonging to the globulin group, and into a
coloured pigment, containing iron, called Hmmatin. Haemoglobin
is therefore a very complex body. It is found to have remarkable
relations to oxygen, and indeed, as we shall see, the red corpuscles
by virtue of their haemoglobin have a special work in respiration ;
they carry oxygen from the lungs to the several tissues. We shall
therefore defer the further study of haemoglobin until we have to
deal with respiration.
The red corpuscle, then, consists of a disc of colourless stroma
with which is associated in a peculiar way the complex coloured
body haemoglobin. Though the haemoglobin, as is seen in laky blood,
is readily soluble in serum (and it is also soluble in plasma), in the
intact normal blood it remains confined to the corpuscle. Obviously
there is some special connection between the stroma and the haemo-
globin ; it is not until the stroma is altered, we may perhaps say
killed (as by repeated freezing and thawing), that it loses its hold
on the haemoglobin, which thus set free passes into solution in the
serum. The disc of stroma when separated from the haemoglobin
has, as we have just said, an obscurely spongy texture ; but we do
not know accurately the exact condition of the stroma in the intact
corpuscle or how it holds the haemoglobin. There is certainly no
definite membrane or envelope to the corpuscle ; for by exposing
blood to a high temperature (60° C.) the corpuscle will break up
into more or less spherical pieces, each still consisting of stroma
and haemoglobin.
The quantity of stroma necessary to hold a quantity of hiemo-
globin is exceedingly small. Of the total solid matter of a
corpuscle more than 90 p.c. is haemoglobin. A red corpuscle in
fact is a quantity of haemoglobin held together in the form of a
disc by a minimal amount of stroma. Hence whatever effect the
stroma 'per se may have upon the plasma, this, in the case of
mammals at all events, must be insignificant : the red corpuscle is
practically simply a carrier of hiiemoglobin.
3
34 NUMBER OF RED CORPUSCLES. [Book i.
§ 25. The average number of red corpuscles in human blood
may be probably put down at about 5 millions in a cubic milli-
meter (the range in different mammals is said to be from 3 to 18
millions), but the relation of corpuscle to plasma varies a good deal
even in health, and very much in disease. Obviously the relation
may be affected (1) by an increase or decrease of the plasma, (2) by
an actual decrease or increase of red corpuscles. Now, the former
must frequently take place. The blood, as we have already urged,
is always being acted upon by changes in the tissues, and indeed
is an index of those changes ; hence the plasma must be con-
tinually changing, though always striving to return to the normal
condition. Thus when a large quantity of water is discharged by
the kidney, the skin, or the bowels, that water comes really from
the blood ; and the drain of water must tend to diminish the bulk
of the plasma, and so to increase the relative number of red
corpuscles, though the effect is probably soon remedied by the
passage of water from the tissues into the blood. So again when
a large quantity of water is drunk, this passes into the blood and
tends temporarily to dilute the plasma (and so to diminish the
relative number of red corpuscles), though this condition is in turn
soon remedied by the passage of the superfluous fluid to the
tissues and excretory organs. The greater or less number of red
corpuscles, then, in a given bulk of blood may be simply due to less
or more plasma ; but we have reason to think that the actual
number of the corpuscles in the blood does vary from time to
time. This is especially seen in certain forms of disease, which
may be spoken of under the general term of anaemia (there being
several kinds of anaemia), in which the number of red corpuscles is
distinctly diminished.
The redness of blood may however be influenced not only by
the number of red corpuscles in each cubic millimeter of blood but
also by the amount of haemoglobin in each corpuscle, and to a less
degree by the size of the corpuscles. If we compare, with a
common standard, the redness of two specimens of blood unequally
red, and then determine the relative number of corpuscles in each,
we may find that the less red specimen has as many corpuscles as
the redder one, or at least the deficiency in redness is greater than
can be accounted for by the paucity of red corpuscles. Obviously
in such a case the red corpuscles have too little ha3moglobin. In
some cases of anaemia the deficiency of haemoglobin in each cor-
puscle is more striking than the scantiness of red corpuscles.
The number of corpuscles in a specimen of blood is determined by
mixing a small but carefully measured quantity of the blood with a
large quantity of some indifferent fluid, — e. p'; a 5 p.c. solution of sodium
sulphate, — and then actually counting the corpuscles in a known minimal
bulk of the mixture.
This perhaps may be most conveniently done by the method generally
known as that of Gowers (Haemacytometer) improved by Malassez. A
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 35
glass slide, in a metal frame, is ruled into minute rectangles, — ^•^'•i mm.
by ^ mm., — so as to give a convenient area of -^^jtli of a square mm.
Three small screws in the frame permit a coverslip to be brought to a
fixed distance, — e. </. ^ mm., from the surface of the slide. The blood
having been diluted, — e.g. to 100 times its volume, • — a small quantity of
the dilutetl (and thorouglily mixed) blood, sufficient to occupy fully the
space between the coverslip and the glass slide when tlie former is
brought to its proper position, is placed on the slide, and the coverslip
brought down. The volume of diluted blood now lying over each of the
rectangles will be j^^th (^Xi) of a cubic mm. ; and if, when the cor-
puscles have subsided, the number of corpuscles lying within a rectangle
be counted, the result will give the number of corpuscles previously
distributed through t^q^^^ '^^ ^ cubic mm. of the diluted blood. This
multiplied l\y 100 will give the number of corpuscles in 1 cubic mm. of
the diluted blood, and again multiplied by 100 the number in 1 cubic
mm. of the entire blood. It is advisable to count the number of
■corpuscles in several of the rectangles, and to take the average. For
the convenience of counting, each rectangle is subdivided into a number
of very small squares, — e.g. into 20, — each with a side oi ^-^^\\\ mm., and
so an area of 4^-oth of a square mm.
Since the actual number of red corpuscles in a specimen of
blood (which may be taken as a sample of the whole blood) is
sometimes more, sometimes less, it is obvious that either red
corpuscles may be temporarily withdrawn from and returned to
the general blood current, or that certain red corpuscles are after
a while made away with, and that new ones take their place.
We have no satisfactory evidence of the former being the case in
normal conditions, whereas we have evidence that old corpuscles
do die and that new ones are born.
§ 26. The red corpuscles, we have already said, are continually
engaged in carrying oxygen, by means of their haemoglobin, from
the lungs to the tissues ; they load themselves with oxygen at the
lungs and unload at the tissues. It is extremely unlikely that this
act should be repeated indefinitely without leading to changes
which may be familiarly described as wear and tear, an*d which
would ultimately lead to the death of the corpuscles.
We shall have to state later on that the liver discharges into
the alimentary canal, as a constituent of bile, a considerable
quantity of a pigment known as hiliruhin, and that this substance
has remarkable relations with, and indeed may be regarded as a
derivative of hcematin, which as we have seen (§ 24) is a product
of the decomposition of hsemoglobin. It appears probable in fact
that the bilirubin of bile (and this as we shall see is the chief
biliary pigment and the source of the other biliary pigments) is
not formed wholly anew in the body but is manufactured in some
way or other out of hrematin derived from hiemoglobin. This
must entail a daily consumption of a considerable quantity of
hemoglobin, and, since we know no other source of haemoglobin
besides the red corpuscles, and have no evidence of red corpuscles
-36 FOKMATION OF EED COEPUSCLES. [Book i.
continuing to exist after having lost their haemoglobin, must
therefore entail a daily destruction of many red corpuscles.
Even in health, then, a number of red corpuscles must be
continually disappearing ; and in disease the rapid and great
diminution which may take place in the number of red corpuscles
shews that large destruction may occur.
We cannot at present accurately trace out the steps of this
disappearance of red corpuscles. In the spleen pulp, red corpuscles
have been seen in various stages of disorganization, some of them
lying within the substance of large colourless corpuscles, and as it
were being eaten by them. There is also evidence that destruction
takes place in the liver itself, and indeed elsewhere. But the
subject has not yet been adequately worked out.
§ 27. This destruction of red corpuscles necessitates the birth
of new corpuscles, to keep up the normal supply of haemoglobin ;
and indeed the cases in which after even great loss of blood by
haemorrhage a healthy ruddiness returns, and that often rapidly,
shewing that the lost corpuscles have been replaced, as well as
the cases of recovery from the disease anaemia, prove that red
corpuscles are, even in adult life, born somewhere in the body.
In the developing embryo of the mammal the red corpuscles of
the blood are not haemoglobin-holding non-nucleated discs of stroma,
but coloured nucleated cells which have arisen in the following way.
In certain regions of the embryo there are formed nests of
nuclei imbedded in that kind of material of which we have already
(§ 5) spoken, and of which we shall have again to speak as un-
differentiated protoplasm. The special features of this undifferen-
tiated protoplasm are due to the manner in which its living basis
(§ 5), in carrying on its continued building up and breaking down,
disposes of itself, its food, and its products. These are for a while
so arranged as to form a colourless mass with minute colourless
solid particles or colourless vacuoles imbedded in it, the whole
having a granular appearance. After a while this granular looking
protoplasm is in large measure gradually replaced by material of
different optical and chemical characters, being for instance more
homogeneous and less " granular " in appearance. This new material
is stroma ; and as it is formed, there is formed with it and in some
way or other held by it a colouring matter, haemoglobin. We
cannot at present say anything definite as to the way in which and
the steps by which the original protoplasm is thus to a large
extent differentiated into stroma and haemoglobin. All we know
is that the existence of what we have called living substance is
necessary to the formation of stroma and haemoglobin. We there-
fore seem justified in speaking of this living substance as manu-
facturing these substances ; but we do not know whether the living
substance turns itself so to speak into stroma or haemoglobin or
both, or whether by some agency, the nature of which is at present
unknown to us, it converts some of the material which is present in
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 37
the protoplasm and which we may regard as food for itself, into
one or other or both of these bodies.
When this differentiation has taken place or while it is still
going on, the material in which the nuclei are imbedded divides
into separate cell bodies for the several nuclei ; and thus the nest
of nuclei is transformed into a group of nucleated red corpuscles,
each corpuscle consisting of a nucleus imbedded in a htemoglobin-
holding stroma, to which is still attached more or less of the original
nndifferentiated protoplasm.
Still later on in the life of the embryo the nucleated red cor-
puscles are replaced by ordinary red corpuscles, by non-nucleated
discs composed almost exclusively of haemoglobin-holding stroma.
How the transformation takes place, and especially how the nucleus
comes to be absent is at present a matter of considerable dispute ;
there is much however to be said for the view that the normal
red corpuscle is a portion only of a cell, that it is a fragment of
cell-substance which has been budded off and so has left the
nucleus behind.
In the adult as in the embryo the red corpuscles appear to be
formed out of preceding coloured nucleated cells.
In the interior of bones is a peculiar tissue called marrow,
which in most parts, being very full of blood vessels, is called red
marrow. In this red marrow the capillaries and minute veins
form an intricate labyrinth of relatively wide passages with very
thin walls, and through this labyrinth the flow of blood is compara-
tively slow. In the passages of this labyrinth are found coloured
nucleated cells, — that is to say, cells the cell-substance of which has
undergone more or less differentiation into haemoglobin and stroma.
And there seems to be going on in red marrow a multiplication of
such coloured nucleated cells, some of which transformed, in some
way or other, into red non-nucleated discs, — that is into ordinary
red corpuscles, • — pass away into the general blood current. In other
words, a formation of red corpuscles, not wholly unlike that which
takes place in the embryo, is in the adult continually going on in
the red marrow of the bones.
According to some observers the coloured nucleated cells arise
by division, in the marrow, from colourless cells, not unlike but
probably distinct in kind from ordinary white corpuscles, the
formation of haemoglobin taking place subsequent to cell division.
Other observers, apparently with reason, urge that, whatever their
primal origin, these coloured nucleated cells arise, during post-
embryonic life, by the division of previous similar coloured cells,
which thus form, in the marrow, a distinct class of cells continually
undergoing division and thus giving rise to cells, some of wdiich
become red corpuscles and pass into the blood stream, while others
remain in the marrow to undergo further division and so to keep
up the supply. Such repeatedly dividing cells may fitly be called
hcematohlasts.
38 WHITE CORPUSCLES. [Book i.
A similar formation of red corpuscles has also been described,,
though with less evidence, as taking place in the spleen, especially
under particular circumstances, such as after great loss of blood.
The formation of red corpuscles is therefore a special process,
taking place in special regions ; we have no satisfactory evidence
that the ordinary white corpuscles of the blood are, as they travel
in the current of the circulation, transformed into red corpuscles.
The red corpuscles then, to sum up, are useful to the body on
account of the hsemoglobin which constitutes so nearly the whole
of their solid matter. What functions the stroma may have besides
the mere, so to speak, mechanical one of holding the hsemoglobin in
the form of a corpuscle, we do not know. The primary use of the
hsemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, and
it would appear that it is advantageous to the economy that the
hsemoglobin should be as it were bottled up in corpuscles rather
than simply diffused through the plasma. How long a corpuscle
may live, fetching and carrying oxygen, we do not exactly know ;
the red corpuscles of one animal {e.g. a bird,) injected into the
vessels of another [e.g. a mammal) disappear within a few days ;
but this affords no measure of the life of a corpuscle in its own
home. Eventually however the red corpuscle dies, its place being
supplied by a new one. The hsemoglobin set free from the dead
corpuscles appears to have a secondary use in forming the pigment
of the bile and possibly other pigments.
Hie White or Colourless Corpuscles.
§ 28. The white corpuscles are far less numerous than the red ;
a specimen of ordinary healthy blood will contain several hundred
red corpuscles to each white corpuscle, though the proportion, even
in health, varies considerably under different circumstances, ranging
from 1 in 300 to 1 in 700. But though less numerous, the white
corpuscles are probably of greater importance to the blood itself
than are the red corpuscles ; the latter are chiefly limited to the
special work of carrying oxygen from the lungs to the tissues, while
the former probably exert a considerable influence on the blood
plasma itself, and help to maintain it in a proper condition.
When seen in a normal condition, and ' at rest ' the white
corpuscle is a small, spherical, colourless mass, varying in size, but
with an average diameter of about 10/x, and presenting in some
cases a finely granular or even hyaline, in others a coarsely granular,
appearance. The surface, even when the corpuscle is quite spheri-
cal, is not always absolutely smooth but may be somewhat irregular,
thereby contributing to the granular appearance ; and at times
these irregularities are exaggerated into protuberances or ' pseudo-
podia ' of varying size or form, the corpuscle in this way assuming
various forms without changing its bulk, and by the assumption
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 39
of a series of forms shifting its place. Of these ' amosboid move-
ments,' as they are called, we shall have to speak later on.
In carrying on these amoeboid movements the corpuscle may
transform itself from a spherical mass into a thin, flat, irregular
plate ; and when this occurs there may be seen at times in the inidst
of the extended finely granular mass or cell body, a smaller body
of different aspect and refractive power, the nucleus. The normal
presence of a nucleus in the white corpuscle may also be shewn hy
treating the corpuscle with dilute acetic acid, which swells up and
renders more transparent the cell body but makes the nucleus more
refractive and more sharply defined, and so more conspicuous, or
by the use of staining reagents, the majority of which stain the
nucleus more readily and more deeply than the cell body. The
nucleus is in some cases a spherical mass about 2 — 3 ^ in dia-
meter, but it differs both in size and in form in different corpuscles ;
of these differences we shall speak presently.
The cell body of the white corpuscle may be taken as a good
example of what we have called undifferentiated protoplasm.
It may perhaps be best considered as consisting of a uniformly
transparent but somewhat refractive material forming the ground
substance or basis, in which occur vacuoles of varying size but
all for the most part minute, and in which are imbedded particles
also of varying size but also for the most part minute. Some
maintain that the ground substance exists in the form of a net-
work, the interstices of which are filled up either with fluid or
with some material different in nature from that of which the
bars of the network are composed ; but without entering into the
discussion of a debated question, we may say that the evidence
for the natural existence of such a network is not convincing.
The imbedded particles are in some cases extremely small, and
for the most part distributed uniformly over the cell body, giving
it the finely granular or even hyaline aspect spoken of above ; in
other cases however the particles are relatively large and ob-
viously discrete, making the corpuscle coarsely granular, the coarse
granules being sometimes confined to one or another part of the
cell body. These particles or granules, whether coarse or fine, vary
in nature : they behave differently towards various staining and
other reagents. Some of them, as shewn by their greater refrac-
tive power, their staining with osmic acid, and their solution by
solvents of fat, are fatty in nature ; others may similarly be shewn
by their reactions to be proteid in nature ; and in certain cases
some of the granules are carbohydrate in nature.
The material in which these granules are imbedded, and which
forms the greater part of the cell body, has no special optical
features. So far as can be ascertained it appears under the micro-
scope to be homogeneous; no definite structure can be detected in
it. It must be borne in mind that the whole corpuscle consists
largely of water, the total solid matter amounting to not much
40 COMPOSITION OF WHITE COEPUSCLES. [Book i-
more than 10 per cent. The transparent material of the cell body
must therefore be in a condition which we may call semifluid, or
semisolid, without being called upon to define what we exactly
mean by these terms. This approach to fluidity appears to be
connected with the great mobility of the cell body as shewn in its
amoeboid movements.
§ 29. When we submit to chemical examination a sufficient
mass of white corpuscles separated out from the blood by special
means and obtained tolerably free from red corpuscles and plasma
(or apply to the white blood corpuscles the chemical results
obtained from the more easily procured lymph corpuscles, which
as we shall see are very similar to and indeed in many ways
closely related to the white corpuscles of the blood), we find that
this small solid matter of the corpuscle consists largely of certain
proteids, or of substances more or less allied to proteids. Our
knowledge of these proteids and other substances is as yet im-
perfect, but we are probably justified in making the following
statement.
There is present, in somewhat considerable quantity, a sub-
stance of a peculiar nature, which since it is confined to the
nuclei of the corpuscles and further seems to be present in all
nuclei, has been called nuclein. This nuclein, which though a
complex nitrogenous body is different in composition and nature
from proteids, is remarkable on the one hand for being a very
stable inert body, and on the other for containing a large quantity
(according to some observers nearly 10 p.c.) of phosphorus, which
appears to enter in a certain way into the structure of the mole-
cule, whereas in the case of proteids the phosphorus, which is not
always present, is, as it were, attached to the molecule.
The substance however which is present in the greatest quan-
tity is one also at present not thoroughly understood, which
though it appears to exist in the cell body apart from the nucleus,
and indeed to form a large part of the solid matter of the cell
body, has since it seems to be a compound of nuclein and albumin
(or some other proteid) been called nudeo-alhumin. It, like
nuclein, contains a considerable quantity of phosphorus, by which
as well as by other features it is distinguished from the globulins,
though in some respects it seems allied to that class of proteids,
and to a somewhat similar proteid, myosin, of which we shall have
to speak later on as a constituent of muscle.
Besides these two bodies, the white corpuscles also contain a
globulin which, under the name of cell globulin, has been distin-
guished from the globulin or paraglobulin of blood, as well as a
body or bodies like to or identical with serum albumin.
Next in importance to the proteids, as constant constituents of
the white corpuscles, come certain fats. Among these the most
conspicuous is the complex fatty body lecithin.
In the case of many corpuscles at all events we have evidence
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 41
of the presence of a member of the large group of carbohydrates,
comprising starches and sugar, — viz., the starch-like body (jlijcogcn,
which we shall have to study more fully hereafter. This glycogen
may exist in the living corpuscle as glycogen, but it is very apt
after the death of the corpuscle to become changed by hydration
into some form of sugar, such as maltose or dextrose.
Lastly, the ash of the white corpuscles is characterised by
containing a relatively large quantity of potassium and of phos-
phates and by being relatively poor in chlorides and in sodium.
But in this respect the corpuscle is merely an example of what
seems to be a general rule (to which however there may be
exceptions), that while the elements of the tissues themselves are
rich in potassium and phosphates, the blood plasma or lymph on
which they live abounds in chlorides and sodium salts.
§ 30. In the broad features above mentioned, the white blood
corpuscle may be taken as a picture and example of all living
tissues. If we examine the histological elements of any tissue,
whether we take an epithelium cell, or a nerve cell, or a cartilage
cell, or a muscular fibre, we meet with very similar features.
Studying the element morphologically, we find a nucleus ^ and a
cell body, the nucleus having the general characters described
above with frequently other characters introduced, and the cell
body consisting of at least more than one kind of material, — the
materials being sometimes so disposed as to produce the optical
effect simply of a transparent mass in which granules are imbedded,
in which case we speak of the cell body as protoplasmic, but at
•other times so arranged that the cell body possesses differentiated
structure. Studying the element from a chemical point of view
we find proteids always present, and among these bodies identical
with or more or less closely allied to such proteids as globulin and
myosin, we generally have evidence of the presence also of fat of
■some kind and of some member or members of the carbohydrate
group ; and the ash always contains potassium and phosphates,
with sulphates, chlorides, sodium, and calcium, to which may be
added magnesium and iron.
We stated in the Introduction that living matter is always
undergoing chemical change ; this continued chemical change we
may denote by the term metcibolism. We further urged that so
long as living matter is alive, the chemical change or metabolism
is of a double kind. On the one hand, the living substance is
continually breaking down into simpler bodies, with a setting free
of energy ; this part of the metabolism we may speak of as made
up of kataholic changes. On the other hand, the living substance
is continually building itself up, embodying energy into itself and
so replenishing its store of energy ; this part of the metabolism
we may speak of as made up of anaholic changes. We also urged
that in every piece of living tissue there might be (1) the actual
1 The existence of multi nuclear structures does uot affect the present argument.
42 METABOLISM. [Book i.
living substance itself, (2) material which is present for the pur-
pose of becoming, and is on the way to become, living substance,
— that is to say, food undergoing or about to undergo anabolic
changes, and (3) material which has resulted from, or is resulting
from, the breaking down of the living substance, — that is to say,
material which has undergone or is undergoing katabolic changes,
and which we speak of under the general term ' waste.' In using
the word " living substance," however, though we may for con-
venience sake speak of the really living part as a substance, we
must remember that in reality it is not a substance in the chemical
sense of the word, but material undergoing a series of changes.
If, now, we ask the question, which part of the body of the
white corpuscle (or of a similar element of another tissue) is the
real living substance, and which part is food or waste, we ask a
question which we cannot as yet definitely answer. We have at
present no adequate morphological criteria to enable ns to judge,
by optical characters, what is really living and what is not.
One thing we may perhaps say : the material which appears
in the cell body in the form of distinct granules, merely lodged
in the more transparent material, cannot be part of the real living
substance ; it must be either food or waste. Some of these granules
are fat, and we have at times an opportunity of observing that
they have been introduced into the corpuscle from the surrounding
plasma. The white corpuscle, as we have said, has the power of
executing amoeboid movements ; it can creep round objects,
envelope them with its own substance, and so put them inside
itself. The granules of fat thus introduced may be subsequently
extruded or may disappear within the corpuscle ; in the latter
case they are obviously changed, and apparently made use of
by the corpuscle. In other words, these fatty granules are ap-
parently food material, on their way to be worked up into the
living substance of the corpuscle.
But we have also evidence that similar granules of fat may
make their appearance wholly within the corpuscle ; they are pro-
ducts of the activity of the corpuscle. We have further reason
to think that in some cases, at all events, they arise from the
breaking down of the living substance of the corpuscle, — that they
are what we have called waste products.
But all the granules visible in a corpuscle are not necessarily
fatty in nature ; some of them may undoubtedly be granules of
proteid or allied matter, and it is possible that some of them may
at times be of carbohydrate or other nature. In all cases however
they are either food material or waste products. And what is
true of the easily distinguished granules is also true of other-
substances, in solution or in a solid form, but so disposed as not
to be optically recognised.
Hence a part, and it may be no inconsiderable part, of the
body of a white corpuscle may be not living substance at all, but
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 43
either food or waste. Further, it does not necessarily follow that
the whole of any quantity of material, fatty or otherwise, intro-
duced into the corpuscle from without, should actually be built up
into and so become part of the living substance. The changes from
raw food to living substance are, as we have already said, probably
many ; and it may be that after a certain number of changes, few
or many, part only of the material is accepted as worthy of being
made alive, and the rest, being rejected, becomes at once waste
matter ; or the material may, even after it has undergone this or
that change, never actually enter into the living substance but all
become waste matter. We say waste matter, but this does not
mean useless matter. The matter so formed may without entering
into the living substance be of some subsidiary use to the corpuscle ;
or, as probably more often happens, being discharged from the cor-
puscle, may be of use to some other part of the body. We do not
know how the living substance builds itself up, but we seem com-
pelled to admit that, in certain cases at all events, it is able in
some way or other to produce changes on material while that
material is still outside the living substance as it were, before it
enters into and indeed without its ever actually entering into the
composition of the living substance. On the other hand, we must
equally admit that some of the waste substances are the direct
products of the katabolic changes of the living substance itself, and
were actually once part of the living substance. Hence we ought
perhaps to distinguish the products of the activity of living matter
into waste products proper, the direct results of katabolic changes,
and into by-products which are the results of changes effected by
the living matter outside itself and which cannot therefore be con-
sidered as necessarily either anabolic or katabolic.
Concerning the chemical characters of the living matter itself
we cannot at present make any very definite statement. We may
say that proteid substance enters in some way into its structure
and indeed forms a large part of it, but we are not justified in
saying that the living substance consists only of proteid matter in
a peculiar condition. And indeed the persistency with which
some representative of fatty bodies and some representative of
carbohydrates always appear in living tissue, would perhaps rather
lead us to suppose that these equally with proteid material were
essential to its structure. Again, though the behaviour of the
nucleus as contrasted with that of the cell body leads us to
suppose that the living substance of the former is a different kind
of living substance from that of the latter, we do not know exactly
in what the difference consists. The nucleus, as we have seen,
contains nudein, which perhaps we may regard as a largely modi-
fied proteid ; but a body which is remarkable for its stability, for
the difficulty with which it is changed by chemical reagents,
cannot be regarded as an integral part of the essential mobile
living substance of the nucleus.
44 OEIGIN OF WHITE CORPUSCLES. [Book i.
In this connection it may be worth while again to call attention
to the fact that the corpuscle contains a very large quantity indeed
of water, viz. about 90 p.c. Part of this, we do not know how much,
probably exists in a more or less definite combination with the
protoplasm, somewhat after the manner of, to use what is a mere
illustration, the water of crystallization of salts. If we imagine a
whole group of different complex salts continually occupied in turn
in being crystallized and being decrystallized, the water thus
engaged by the salts will give us a rough image of the water which
passes in and out of the substance of the corpuscle as the result of
its metabolic activity. We might call this " water of metabolism."
Another part of the water, carrying in this case substances in
solution, probably exists in spaces or interstices too small to be
seen with even the highest powers of the microscope. Still another
part of the water similarly holding substances in solution exists at
times in definite spaces visible under the microscope, more or less
regularly spherical, and called vacuoles.
We have dwelt thus at length on the white corpuscle in the
first place because, as we have already said, what takes place in it
is in a sense a picture of what takes place in all living structures,
and in the second place because the facts which we have mentioned
help us to understand how the white corpuscle may carry on in
the blood a work of no unimportant kind ; for from what has been
said it is obvious that the white corpuscle is continually acting
upon and being acted upon by the plasma.
§ ^ " " "
puscles we must learn what is known of their history.
In successive drops of blood taken at different times from the
same individual, the number of colourless corpuscles will be found
to vary very much, not only relatively to the red corpuscles, but
also absolutely. They must therefore 'come and go.'
In treating of the lymphatic system we shall have to point out
that a very large quantity of fluid called lymph, containing a very
considerable number of bodies very similar in their general cha-
racters to the white corpuscles of the blood, is being continually
poured into the vascular system at the point where the thoracic
duct joins the great veins on the left side of the neck, and to
a less extent where the other large lymphatics join the venous
system on the right side of the neck. These corpuscles of lymph,
which, as we have just said, closely resemble, and indeed are with
difficulty distinguished from the white corpuscles of the blood,
but of which. When they exist outside the vascular system, it
will be convenient to speak of as leucocytes, are found along the
whole length of the lymphatic system, but are more numerous
in the lymphatic vessels after these have passed through the
lymphatic glands. These lymphatic glands are partly composed
of what is known as adenoid tissue, — a special kind of connective
tissue arranged as a delicate network. The meshes of this are
Chap, i.] I'.LOOD. 45
crowded with colourless nucleated cells, which though varying in
size, are for the most part small, the nucleus being surrounded
by a relatively small quantity of cell-substance. Many of these
cells shew signs that they are undergoing cell division, and we have
reason to think that cells so formed, acquiring a larger amount of
cell-substance, become ordinary leucocytes. In other words, leuco-
cytes multiply in the lymphatic glands, and leaving the glands by
the lymphatic vessels, make their way to the blood. Patches and
tracts of similar adenoid tissue, not arranged however as distinct
glands but similarly occupied by developing leucocytes and simi-
larly connected with lymphatic vessels, are found in various parts
of the body, especially in the mucous membranes. Moreover, the
leucocytes appear to multiply by division during their abode in
the various lymph passages. Hence we may conclude that from
various parts of the body, the lymphatics are continually bringing
to the blood an abundant supply of leucocytes, and that these
become the ordinary white corpuscles of the blood. This is
probably the chief source of the white corpuscles, for though the
white corpuscles have been seen dividing in the blood itself, no
large increase, so far as we know, takes place in that way.
§ 32. It follows that since white corpuscles are thus continu-
ally being added to the blood, white corpuscles must as continually
either be destroyed, or be transformed, or escape from the interior
of the blood vessels ; otherwise the blood would soon be blocked
with white corpuscles.
Some do leave the blood vessels. In treating of the circulation
we shall have to point out that white corpuscles are able to pierce
the walls of the capillaries and minute veins and thus to make
their way from the interior of the blood vessels into spaces filled
with lymph, — the " lymph spaces," as they are called, of the tissue
lying outside the blood vessels. This is spoken of as the " migra-
tion of the white corpuscles." In an " inflamed area " large
numbers of white corpuscles are thus drained away from the
blood into the lymph spaces of the tissue ; and it is probable that
a similar loss takes place, more or less, under normal conditions.
These migrating corpuscles may, by following the devious tracts
of the lymph, find their way back into the blood ; some of them
however may remain, and undergo various changes. Thus, in
inflamed areas, when suppuration follows inflammation, the white
corpuscles which have migrated may become ' pus corpuscles ; ' or,
where thickening and growth follow upon inflammation, may,
according to many authorities, become transformed into temporary
or permanent tissue, especially connective tissue ; but this trans-
formation into tissue is disputed. When an inflammation subsides
without leaving any effect a few corpuscles only will be found in
the tissue ; those which had previously migrated must therefore
have been disposed of in some way or other.
In speaking of the formation of red corpuscles (§ 27) we saw
46 WOEK OF WHITE CORPUSCLES. [Book i.
that not only it is not proved that the nucleated corpuscles which
give rise to red corpuscles are ordinary white corpuscles, but that'
in all probability the real hasmatoblasts, the parents of red cor-
puscles, are special corpuscles developed in the situations where the
manufacture of red corpuscles takes place. So far therefore from
assuming, as is sometimes done, that the white corpuscles of the
blood are all of them on their way to become red corpuscles, it
may be doubted whether any of them are. In any case however,
«ven making allowance for those which migrate, a very consider-
able number of the white corpuscles must ' disappear ' in someway
or other from the blood stream, and we may perhaps speak of
their disappearance as being a 'destruction' or ' dissolution.' We
have as yet no exact knowledge to guide us in this matter, but
we can readily imagine that, upon the death of the corpuscle, the
substances composing it, after undergoing changes, are dissolved
by and become part of the plasma. If so, the corpuscles as they
■die must repeatedly influence the composition and nature of the
plasma.
But if they thus affect the plasma in their death, it is even
more probable that they influence it during their life. Being
alive they must be continually taking in and giving out. As we
have already said they are known to ingest, after the fashion of an
amoeba, solid particles of various kinds such as fat or carmine,
present in the plasma, and probably digest such of these particles
as are nutritious. But if they ingest these solid matters they
probably also carry out the easier task of ingesting dissolved
matters. If however they thus take in, they must also give out ,
and thus by the removal on the one hand of various substances
from the plasma, and by the addition on the other hand of other
substances to the plasma, they must be continually influencing the
plasma. We have already said that the white corpuscles in shed
blood as they die are supposed to play an important part in the
clotting of blood ; similarly they may during their whole life be
engaged in carrying out changes in the proteids of the plasma
which do not lead to clotting, but which prepare the proteids for
their various uses in the body.
Pathological facts afford support to this view. The disease
called leucocythsemia (or leukfemia) is characterised by an increase
of the white corpuscles, both absolute and relative to the red
corpuscles, the increase, due to an augmented production or
possibly to a retarded destruction, being at times so great as to
give the blood a pinkish grey appearance, like that of blood mixed
with pus. We accordingly find that in this disease the plasma is
in many ways profoundly affected and fails to nourish the tissues.
As a further illustration of the possible actions of the white
corpuscles we may state that, in certain diseases in which minute
organisms, such as bacteria, make their appearance in the blood
and tissues, white corpuscles may attack and devour these bacteria.
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 47
thus acting as " phagocytes," and in this way, or otherwise, by
exerting some influence on the bacteria or the products of their
activity, modify the course of the disease of which the bacteria are
the essential cause.
If the white corpuscles are thus engaged during their life
in carrying on important labours, we may expect them to differ
in appearance according to their condition as determined by their
work. On the other hand, we may suppose that there are distinct
kinds of white corpuscles, having different functions and possibly
different origins and histories.
We may in human blood distinguish the following forms of
white corpuscles. The most common form of corpuscle is one, the
cell substance of which is finely or rather obscurely granular, — that
is to say, the granules are both small and not sharply defined by
difference in refractive power from the ground substance (Fig.
Pig. 1. DiFrERENT Forms of White Corpuscles From Human Blood.
(Magnified one thousand diameters.)
A. Ordinary, finely or obscurely granular corpuscle, with irregularly shaped
nucleus. A'. The same stained to shew nuclear network. B. Hyaline corpuscle
with spherical or oval nucleus. C. Immature corpuscle with scanty cell substance.
D. Large corpuscle with conspicuous, coarse, discrete granules staining very readily
with eosine : eosinophile cell. D'. The same stained to shew nuclear network.
Ji. Corpuscle with discrete granules, not staining readily with eosine, but staining
readily with basic dyes such as methyl-blue.
1, A). The nucleus of this form of corpuscle is irregular in shape,
being lobed or even composed of two, three, or more parts united
by narrow threads.
Less common than the above is a corpuscle (Fig. 1, B') the cell-
substance of which as a rule appears almost or even quite hyaline
and the nucleus of which is spherical, and shews very distinctly,
when appropriately stained, a ' nuclear network,' — that is to say,
appears to consist of a network of stained threads (' chromatin'
threads) and of an unstained or less deeply-stained material filling
up the meshes of the network. Such a nuclear network is also
present in the obscurely granular cell just spoken of, but appears
not to be seen so readily and has been overlooked.
Both these cells exhibit amoeboid movements, and both are
able, after the fashion of an amoeba, to ingest solid matters from
48 BLOOD PLATELETS. [Book i.
the plasma ; both are cells which eat, and both therefore may be
spoken of as "phagocytic." But the hyaline cell appears, under
ordinary circumstances, to be more active in its movements and
more ready to ingest solid matters than the obscurely granular
cell. In the case of both cells, the matters ingested inay be
changed by the action of the cell-substance, broken up, and
partially dissolved ; they may be digested in fact. And both
forms may contain granules or particles, the result of material so
ingested.
A small cell, characterized by the scanty amount of cell-
substance (Fig. 1, C) surrounding the nucleus, which is spherical,
and which exhibits a nuclear network, seems to be a young or
immature corpuscle, — possibly a young form of the hyaline cell.
Very scanty in the blood under normal circumstances but
abundant in certain parts of the lymph system is a corpuscle
(Fig. 1, D) of somewhat large size with an irregular or lobed
nucleus, and with a cell-substance the striking feature of which
is that it is laden with numerous coarse, obviously discrete
granules. These granules moreover stain very rapidly and deeply
with the dye eosine ; hence these corpuscles have been called
' eosinophile cells.' The smaller obscure granules of the obscurely
granular corpuscle do not stain readily with eosine, though they do
stain with certain other special dyes. The eosinophile corpuscle
is under ordinary circumstances sluggish in its amoeboid move-
ments and is not known to ingest solid particles ; indeed we have
reason to think that the eosinophile granules are not to be regarded
as food particles taken in from without, but that they are the
result of the metabolism of the cell-substance, — that they are
formed by the cell itself. We may probably look upon them as
being of the same order with the granules which we shall study
later on as characteristic of secreting cells.
Lastly, a very infrequent corpuscle is one (Fig. 1, E) which
resembles the eosinophile corpuscle in having a lobed or irregular
nucleus, and in having the cell substance more or less loaded with
discrete granules ; but the granules are small and do not stain
eagerly with eosine, though they do stain readily with certain
basic dyes, such as methyl-blue.
What are the exact relations of these several forms, how far
they are to be regarded as distinct kinds or merely phases of the
same kind, must be left for future inquiry.
Blood Platelets.
§ 33. In a drop of blood examined with care immediately
after removal, may be seen a number of exceedingly small bodies
(2 yu, to 3 /It in diameter) frequently disc-shaped but sometimes of a
rounded or irregular form, homogeneous in appearance when quite
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 49
fresh but apt to assume a faintly granular aspect. They are
called Mood platelets. They have been supposed by some to become
developed into and indeed to be early stages of the red corpuscles,
and hence have been called ha^matoblasts ; but this view has not
been confirmed ; indeed, as we have seen (§ 27), the real htemato-
blasts or developing red corpuscles are of quite a different nature.
They speedily undergo change after removal from the body,
apparently dissolving in the plasma ; they break up, part of their
substance disappearing, while the rest becomes granular. Their
granular remains are apt to run together, forming in the plasma the
shapeless masses which have long been known and described as
" lumps of protoplasm." By appropriate reagents, however these
platelets may be fixed and stained in the condition in which they
appear after leaving the body.
The substance composing them is peculiar ; and though we
may perhaps speak of them as consisting of living material, their
nature is at present obscure. They may be seen within the living
blood vessels, and therefore must be regarded as real parts of the
blood and not as products of the changes taking place in blood
after it has been shed.
When a needle or thread or other foreign body is introduced
into the interior of a blood vessel, they are apt to collect upon, and
indeed are the precursors of the clot which in most cases forms
around, the needle or thread. They are also found in the tliromhi
or plugs which sometimes form in the blood vessels as the result of
disease or injury. Indeed it has been maintained that what are
called white thromhi (to distinguish them from red thrombi, which
are plugs of corpuscles and fibrin) are in reality aggregations of
blood platelets ; and for various reasons blood platelets have been
supposed to play an important part in the clotting of blood, carrying
out the work which in this respect is by others attributed to the
white corpuscles. But no very definite statement can at present
be made about this ; and indeed the origin and whole nature
of these blood platelets is at present obscure.
SEC. 3. THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BLOOD.
§ 34. "We may now pass briefly in review the chief chemical
characters of blood, remembering always that, as we have already
urged, the chief chemical interests of blood are attached to the
changes which it undergoes in the several tissues ; these will be
considered in connection with each tissue at the appropriate place.
The average specific gravity of human blood is 1055, varying
from 1045 to 1075 within the limits of health.
The reaction of blood as it flows from the blood vessels is
found to be distinctly though feebly alkaline. If a drop be placed
on a piece of faintly-red highly-glazed litmus paper, and then
wiped off, a blue stain will be left.
The whole blood contains a certain quantity of the gases,
oxygen, carbonic acid, and nitrogen, which are held in the blood in
a peculiar way, and which are given off from blood when exposed
to a vacuum or to an atmosphere of suitable composition ; the
relative amounts differ in different kinds of blood, and so serve
especially to distinguish arterial from venous blood. These gases
of blood we shall study in connection with respiration.
The normal blood consists of corpuscles and plasma.
If the corpuscles be supposed to retain the amount of water
proper to them, blood may, in general terms, be considered as
consisting by weight of from about one-third to somewhat less
than one-half of corpuscles, the rest being plasma. As we have
already seen, the number of corpuscles in a specimen of blood is
found to vary considerably, not only in different animals and in
different individuals, but in the same individual at different times.
The plasma is resolved by the clotting of the blood into serum
and fibrin.
§ 35. The serum contains in 100 parts
Proteid substances about 8 or 9 parts.
Fats, various extractives, and saline matters „ 2 or 1 „
Water „ 90
Chap, i.] BLOOD. 51
The proteids are paraglohidhi and serum albumin (there being
probably more than one kind of serum albumin) in varying pro-
portion. We may perhaps, roughly speaking, say that they occur
in about equal quantities.
Conspicuous and striking as are the results of clotting, mas-
sive as appears to be the clot which is formed, it must be remem-
bered that by far the greater part of the clot consists of corpuscles.
The amount by weight of fibrin required to bind together a number
of corpuscles in order to form even a large firm clot is exceedingly
small. Thus the average quantity by weight of fibrin in human
blood is said to be '2 p.c. ; the amount however which can be
obtained from a given quantity of plasma varies extremely, the
variation being due not only to circumstances affecting the blood,
but also to the method employed.
The fats, which are scanty, except after a meal or in certain
pathological conditions, consist of the neutral fats, stearin, palmitin,
and olein, with a certain quantity of their respective alkaline soaps.
The peculiar complex fat lecithin occurs in very small quantities
only ; the amount present of the peculiar alcohol cholesterin which
has so fatty an appearance is also small. Among the extractives
present in serum may be put down nearly all the nitrogenous
and other substances which form the extractives of the body and
of food, such as urea, kreatin, sugar, lactic acid, &c. A very
large number of these have been discovered in the blood under
various circumstances, the consideration of which must be left for
the present. The peculiar odour of blood or of serum is probably
■due to the presence of volatile bodies of the fatty acid series. The
faint yellow colour of serum is due to a special yellow pigment.
The most characteristic and important chemical feature of the
saline constitution of the serum is the preponderance, at least in
man and most animals, of sodium salts over those of potassium.
In this respect the serum offers a marked contrast to the corpuscles.
Less marked, but still striking, is the abundance of chlorides and
the poverty of phosphates in the serum as compared with the
•corpuscles. The salts may in fact briefly be described as consisting
chiefly of sodium chloride, with some amount of sodium carbonate,
or more correctly sodium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride, with
small quantities of sodium sulphate, sodium phosphate, calcium
phosphate, and magnesium phosphate. And of even the small
quantity of phosphates found in the ash, part of the phosphorus
■exists in the serum itself, not as a phosphate but as phosphorus in
some organic body.
§ 36. The red corpuscles contain less water than the serum,
the amount of solid matter being variously estimated at from 30 to
40 or more p.c. The solids are almost entirely organic matter, the
inorganic salts amounting to less than 1 p.c. Of the organic matter
again by far the larger part consists of haemoglobin. In 100 parts
of the dried organic matter of the corpuscles of human blood, about
52 • COMPOSITION OF BLOOD. [Book i.
90 parts are hsemoglobin, about 8 parts are proteid substances,
and about 2 parts are other substances. Of these other substances
one of the most important, forming about a quarter of them and
apparently being always present, is lecithin. Cholesterin appears
also to be normally present. The proteid substances which form
the stroma of the red corpuscles appear to belong chiefly to the
globulin family. As regards the inorganic constituents, the cor-
puscles are distinguished by the relative abundance of the salts
of potassium and of phosphates. This at least is the case in man ;
the relative quantities of sodium and potassium in the corpuscles
and serum respectively appear however to vary in different
animals ; in some the sodium salts are in excess even in the
corpuscles.
§ 37. The proteid matrix of the white corpuscles, we have
stated to be composed of myosin (or an allied body), paraglobulin,
and possibly other proteids. The nuclei contain nuclein. The
white corpuscles are found to contain in addition to proteid ma-
terial, lecithin and other fats, glycogen, extractives, and inorganic
salts, there being in the ash as in that of the red corpuscles a
preponderance of potassium salts and of phosphates.
The main facts of interest, then, in the chemical composition of
the blood are as follows: The red corpuscles consist chiefly of
hsemoglobin. The organic solids of serum consist partly of serum-
albumin, and partly of paraglobulin. The serum or plasma
contrasts, in man at least, with the corpuscles, inasmuch as the
former contains chiefly chlorides and sodium salts while the latter
are richer in phosphates and potassium salts. The extractives of
the blood are remarkable rather for their number and variability
than for their abundance, the most constant and important being
perhaps urea, kreatin, sugar, and lactic acid.
SEC. 4. THE QUANTITY OF BLOOD, AND ITS
DISTRIBUTION IN THE BODY.
§ 38. The quantity of blood contained in the whole vascular
system is a balance struck between the tissues which give to and
those which take away from the blood. Thus the tissues of the
alimentary canal largely add to the blood water and the material
derived from food, while the excretory organs largely take away
water and the other substances constituting the excretions. Other
tissues both give and take •, and the considerable drain from the
blood to the lymph spaces which takes place in the capillaries is
met by the flow of lymph into the great veins.
From the result of a few observations on executed criminals it
has been concluded that the total quantity of blood in the human
body is about ^th of the body weight. But in various animals,
the proportion of the weight of the blood to that of the body has
been found to vary very considerably in different individuals , and
probably this holds good for man also, — at all events within cer-
tain limits.
In the same individual the quantity probably does not vary
largely. A sudden drain upon the water of the blood by great
activity of the excretory organs, as by profuse sweating, or a
sudden addition to the water of the blood, as by drinking large
quantities of water or by injecting fluid into the blood vessels, is
rapidly compensated by the passage of water from the tissues to
the blood or from the iDlood to the tissues. As we have already
said, the tissues are continually striving to keep up an average
composition of the blood, and in so doing keep up an average
quantity. In starvation the quantity (and quality) of the blood
is maintained for a long time at the expense of the tissues, so
that after some days deprivation of food and drink, while the fat,
the muscles, and other tissues have been largely diminished, the
quantity of blood remains nearly the same.
54 QUANTITY OF BLOOD. [Book i.
The total quantity of blood present in an animal body is estimated
in the following way : As much blood as possible is allowed to escape-
from the vessels ; this is measured directly. The vessels are then
washed out with water or normal saline solution, and the washings
carefully collected, mixed, and measured. A known quantity of blood
is diluted with water or normal saline solution until it possesses the
same tint as a measured specimen of the washings. This gives the
amount of blood (or rather of haemoglobin) in the measured specimen,
from which the total quantity in the whole washings is calculated.
Lastly, the whole body is carefully minced and washed free from blood.
The washings are collected and filtered, and the amount of blood in
them is estimated as before by comparison with a specimen of diluted
blood. The quantity of blood, as calculated from the two washings,,
together with the escaped and directly measured blood, gives the total
quantity of blood in the body.
The method is not free from objections, but other methods are open
to still graver objections.
The blood is in round numbers distributed as follows : —
About one-fourth in the heart, lungs, large arteries, and veins,
liver
„ „ „ „ skeletal muscles,
„ „ „ „ other organs.
Since in the heart and great blood vessels the blood is simply
in transit, without undergoing any great changes (and in the
lungs, so far as we know, the changes are limited to respiratory
changes), it follows that the changes which take place in the blood
passing through the liver and skeletal muscles far exceed those
which take place in the rest of the body.
CHAPTER 11.
THE CONTEACTILE TISSUES.
§ 39. In order that the blood may nourish the several tissues
it is carried to and from them by the vascular mechanism ; and
this carriage entails active movements. In order that the blood
may adequately nourish the tissues, it must be replenished by food
from the alimentary canal, and purified from waste by the excretory
organs ; and both these processes entail movements. Hence before
we proceed further we must study some of the general characters
of the movements of the body.
Most of the movements of the body are carried out by means
of the muscles of the trunk and limbs, which being connected with
the skeleton are frequently called skeletal muscles. A skeletal
muscle when subjected to certain influences suddenly shortens,
bringing its two ends nearer together; and it is the shortening
which, by acting upon various bony levers or by help of other
mechanical arrangements, produces the movement. Such a tem-
porary shortening, called forth by certain influences and due as we
shall see to changes taking place in the muscular tissue forming
the chief part of the muscle, is technically called a contraction of
the muscle ; and the muscular tissue is spoken of as a contractile
tissue. The heart is chiefly composed of muscular tissue, differing
in certain minor features from the muscular tissue of the skeletal
muscles ; and the beat of the heart is essentially a contraction of
the musclar tissue composing it, a shortening of the peculiar
muscular fibres of which the heart is chiefly made up. The
movements of the alimentary canal and of many other organs are
similarly the results of the contraction of the muscular tissue
entering into the composition of those organs, of the shortening of
certain muscular fibres built up into those organs. In fact almost
all the movements of the body are the results of the contraction of
muscular fibres, of various nature and variously disposed.
56 THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. [Book i.
Some few movements however are carried out by structures
which cannot be called muscular. Thus in the pulmonary passages
and elsewhere movement is effected by means of cilia attached to
epithelium cells ; and elsewhere, as in the case of the migrating
white corpuscles of the blood, transference from place to place in
the body is brought about by amceboid movements. But, as we
shall see, the changes in the epithelium cell or white corpuscle
which are at the bottom of ciliary or amoeboid movements are in
all probability fundamentally the same as those which take place
in a muscular fibre when it contracts. They are of the nature of
a contraction, and hence we may speak of all these as different
forms of contractile tissue.
Of all these various forms of contractile tissue the skeletal
muscles, on account of the more complete development of their
functions, will be better studied first ; the others, on account
of their very simplicity, are in many respects less satisfactorily
understood.
All the ordinary skeletal muscles are connected with nerves.
We have no reason for thinking that they are thrown into con-
traction, under normal conditions, otherwise than by the agency of
nerves.
Muscles and nerves being thus so closely allied, and having
besides so many properties in common, it will conduce to clearness
and brevity if we treat them together.
SEC. 1. THE PHENOMENA OF MUSCLE AND NERVE.
Muscular and Nervous IrritaMlity.
§ 40. The skeletal muscles of a frog, the brain and spinal
cord of which have been destroyed, do not exhibit any spontaneous
movements or contractions, even though the nerves be otherwise
C[uite intact. Left undisturbed the whole body may decompose
without any contraction of any of the skeletal muscles having
been witnessed. Neither the skeletal muscles nor the nerves
distributed to them possess any power of automatic action.
If however a muscle be laid bare and be more or less violently
disturbed, — if for instance it be pinched, or touched with a hot
wire, or brought into contact with certain chemical substances,
or subjected to the action of galvanic currents, — it will move, that
is contract, whenever it is thus disturbed. Though not exhibiting
any spontaneous activity, the muscle is (and continues for some
time after the general death of the animal to be) irritable.
Though it remains quite quiescent when left untouched, its
powers are then dormant only, not absent. These require to be
roused or ' stimulated ' by some change or disturbance in order
that they may manifest themselves. The substances or agents
which are thus able to evoke the activity of an irritable muscle
are spoken of as stimuli.
But to produce a contraction in a muscle the stimulus need
not be applied directly to the muscle ; it may be applied indirectly
by means of the nerve. Thus, if the trunk of a nerve be pinched,
or subjected to sudden heat, or dipped in certain chemical sub-
stances, or acted upon by various galvanic currents, contractions
are seen in the muscles to which branches of the nerve are
distributed.
The nerve like the muscle is irritable ; it is thrown into a state
of activity by a stimulus ; but unlike the muscle it does not itself
contract. The stimulus does not give rise in the nerve to any
visible change of form ; but that changes of some kind or other
58 MUSCULAE IKRITABILITY. [Book i.
are set up and propagated along the nerve down to the muscle is
shewn by the fact that the muscle contracts when a part of the
nerve at some distance from itself is stimulated. Both nerve and
muscle are irritable, but only the muscle is contractile, — i. e., mani-
fests its irritability by a contraction. The nerve manifests its
irritability by transmitting along itself, without any visible altera-
tion of form, certain molecular changes set up by the stimulus.
We shall call these changes thus propagated along a nerve,
'nervous impulses.'
§ 41. We have stated above that the muscle may be thrown
into contractions by stimuli applied directly to itself. But it
might fairly be urged that the contractions so produced are in
reality due to the fact that the stimulus, although apparently
applied directly to the muscle, is, after all, brought to bear on some
or other of the many fine nerve-branches, which as we shall see are
abundant in the muscle, passing among and between the muscular
fibres in which they finally end. The following facts however go
far to prove that the muscular fibres themselves are capable of
being directly stimulated without the intervention of any nerves.
When a frog (or other animal) is poisoned with urari, the nerves
may be subjected to the strongest stimuli without causing any
contractions in the muscles to which they are distributed ; yet
even ordinary stimuli applied directly to the muscle readily cause
contractions. If before introducing the urari into the system,
a ligature be passed underneath the sciatic nerve in one leg, — for
instance the right, — and drawn tightly round the whole leg to the
exclusion of the nerve, it is evident that the urari when injected
into the back of the animal, will gain access to the right sciatic
nerve above the ligature, but not below, while it will have free
access to the rest of the body, including the whole left sciatic. If,
as soon as the urari has taken effect, the two sciatic nerves be
stimulated, no movement of the left leg will be produced by stimu-
lating the left sciatic, whereas strong contractions of the muscles of
the right leg below the ligature will follow stimulation of the right
sciatic, whether the nerve be stimulated above or below the ligature.
Now, since the upper parts of both sciatics are equally exposed to
the action of the poison, it is clear that the failure of the left nerve
to cause contraction is not attributable to any change having taken
place in the upper portion of the nerve, else why should not the
right, which has in its upper portion been equally exposed to the
action of the poison, also fail ? Evidently the poison acts on some
parts of the nerve lower down. If a single muscle be removed from
the circulation (by ligaturing its blood vessels), previous to the
poisoning with urari, that muscle will contract when any part of the
nerve going to it is stimulated, though no other muscle in the body
will contract when its nerve is stimulated. Here the whole nerve
right down to the muscle has been exposed to the action of the
poison; and yet it has lost none of its power over the muscle. On
Chap, ii.] THE CONTEACTILE TISSUES. 59
the other hand, if the muscle be allowed to remain in the body,
and so be exposed to the action of the poison, but the nerve be
divided high up and the part connected with the muscle gently
lifted up before the urari is introduced into the system, so that no
blood flows to it and so that it is protected from the influence of
the poison, stimulation of the nerve will be found to produce no
contractions in the muscle, though stimuli applied directly to the
muscle at once cause it to contract. From these facts it is clear
that urari poisons the ends of the nerve within the muscle long
before it affects the trunk ; and it is exceedingly probable that it
is the very extreme ends of the nerves (possibly the end-plates, or
peculiar structures in which the nerve fibres end in the muscular
fibres, — for urari poisoning, at least when profound, causes a slight
but yet distinctly recognisable effect in the microscopic appearance
of these structures) which are affected. The phenomena of urari
poisoning therefore go far to prove that muscles are capable of
being made to contract by stimuli applied directly to the muscular
fibres themselves ; and there are other facts which support this
view.
§ 42. When in a recently killed frog we stimulate by various
means and in various ways the muscles and nerves, it will be
observed that the movements thus produced, though very various,
may be distinguished to be of two kinds. On the one hand, the
result may be a mere twitch, as it were, of this or that muscle ;
on the other hand, one or more muscles may remain shortened,
contracted for a considerable time, — a limb for instance being
raised up or stretched out, and kept raised up or stretched out for
many seconds. And we find upon examination that a stimulus
may be applied either in such a way as to produce a mere twitch,
— a passing, rapid contraction which is over and gone in a fraction
of a second, — or in such a way as to keep the muscle shortened or
contracted for so long time as, up to certain limits, we may choose.
The mere twitch is called a single or simjjle muscular contraction ;
the sustained contraction, which as we shall see is really the result
of rapidly repeated simple contractions, is called a tetanic con-
tractian.
§ 43. In order to study these contractions adequately, we must
have recourse to the ' graphic method ' as it is called, and obtain a
tracing or other record of the change of form of the muscle. To
do this conveniently, it is best to operate with a muscle isolated
from the rest of the body of a recently killed animal, and careful! v
prepared in such a way as to remain irritable for some time. The
muscles of cold blooded animals remain irritable after removal
from the body far longer than those of warm blooded animals, and
hence those of the frog are generally made use of. We shall study
presently the conditions which determine this maintenance of the
irritability of muscles and nerves after removal from the body.
A muscle thus isolated, with its nerve left attached to it, is
60
ELECTEICAL STIMULI.
[Book i.
called a muscle-nerve preparation. The most convenient muscle
for this purpose in the frog is perhaps the gastrocnemius, which
should be dissected out so as to leave carefully preserved the
attachment to the femur above, some portion of the tendon (tendo
achillis) below, and a considerable length of the sciatic nerve with
its branches going to the muscle. Fig. 2.
Fig. 2. A Muscle-nerve Prepakation.
m, the muscle, gastrocnemius of frog ; n, the sciatic nerve, all the branches
being cut away except that supplying the muscle ; f, femur ; cL clamp ; t. a. tendo
achillis ; sp. c. end of spinal canal.
§ 44. We may apply to such a muscle-nerve preparation the
various kinds of stimuli spoken of above, — mechanical, such as
pricking or pinching ; thermal, such as sudden heating ; chemical,
such as acids or other active chemical substances, or electrical ;
and these we may apply either to the muscle directly, or to the
nerve, thus affecting the muscle indirectly. Of all these stimuli
by far the most convenient for general purposes are electrical
stimuli of various kinds ; and these, except for special purposes,
are best applied to the nerve, and not directly to the muscle.
Of electrical stimuli again, the currents, as they are called,
generated by a voltaic cell are most convenient, though the
electricity generated by a rotating magnet, or that produced by
friction, may be employed. Making use of a cell or battery of cells,
Daniells, G-rove's, Leclanch^, or any other, we must distinguish
between the current produced by the cell itself (the constant
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 61
atrrent as we shall call it) and the induced current obtained from
the constant current by means of an induction coil, as it is called ;
for the physiological effects of the two kinds of current are in
many ways different.
It may perhaps be Avorth while to remind the reader of the following
facts : —
In a galvanic battery, the substance (plate of zinc for instance)
which is acted upon and used up by the liquid is called the positive
element, and the substance which is not so acted upon and used up
(plate &c. of copper, platinum, or carbon, &c.) is called the negative
element. A galvanic action is set up when the positive (zinc) and the
negative (copper) elements are connected outside the battery by some
conducting material, such as a wire, and the current is said to flow in a
circuit or circle from the zinc or positive element to the copper or
negative element hiside the hattenj, and then from the copper or negative
element back to the zinc or positive element through the wire outside
the battery. If the conducting wire be cut through, the current ceases
to flow ; but if the cut ends be brought into contact, the current is re-
established and continues to flow so long as the contact is good. The
ends of the wires are called ' poles,' or when used for physiological
purposes, in which case they may be fashioned in various ways, are
spoken of as electrodes. When the poles are brought into contact or
are connected by some conducting material, galvanic action is set up,
and the current flows through the battery and wires ; this is spoken of
as " making the current " or " completing or closing the circuit." When
the poles are drawn apart from each other, or when some non-conducting
material is interposed between them, the galvanic action is arrested ;
this is spoken of as "breaking the current" or "opening the circuit."
The current passes from the wire connected with the negative (copper)
element in the battery to the wire connected with the positive (zinc)
element in the battery ; hence the pole connected with the copper
(negative) element is called the positive pole, and that connected with
the zinc (positive) element is called the negative pole. When used for
physiological purposes the positive pole becomes the positive electrode,
and the negative pole the negative electrode. The positive electrode is
often spoken of as the anode (ana, up), and the negative electrode as
the kathode (kata, down).
A piece of nerve of ordinary length, though not a good conductor,
is still a conductor, and when placed on the electrodes, completes the
circuit, permitting the current to pass through it ; in order to remove
the nerve from the influence of the current it must be lilted off" from
the electrodes. This is obviously inconvenient ; and hence it is us\ial
to arrange a means of. opening or closing the circuit at some point along
one of the two wires. This may be done in various ways, — by fastening
one part of the wire into a cup of mercury and so by dipping the other
part of the wire into the cup to close the circuit and make the current,
and by lifting it out of the mercury to open the circuit and break the
current ; or by arranging, between the two parts of the wires, a
moveable bridge of good conducting material such as brass, which can
be put down to close the circuit or raised up to open the circuit ; or in
62
INDUCTION COIL.
[Book i.
other ways. Such a means of closing and opening a circuit and so of
making or breaking a current is called a hey. ■
A key which is frequently used by physiologists goes by the name of
du Bois-Eeymond's key ; though undesirable in many respects it has
the advantage that it can be used in two different ways. It may be
a,rranged as in A, Fig. 3. In this case, when the brass bridge of K,
the key is put down (dotted outline in the figure), so as to form a
means of good conduction between the brass plates to which the wires
■are screwed, the circuit is closed and the current passes from the posi-
tive pole (end of the negative — copper — element) to the positive electrode
or anode, An. through the nerve, to the negative electrode or kathode
Xat. and thence back to the negative pole (end of the positive — zinc —
IFiu. 3. Diagram of Dd Bois-Eeymond Key used, A, for Making and Breaking,
B, FOR Short Circuiting.
element) in the battery ; on raising the brass bridge (continuous outline
in the figure) the circuit is opened, the current broken, and no current
passes through the electrodes. Or it may be arranged as in B. In
this case if the brass bridge be ' down,' the resistance offered by it is so
small compared with the resistance offered by the nerve between the
electrodes, that the whole current from the battery passes through the
bridge, back to the battery, and none, or only an infinitesimal portion,
passes into the nerve. When on the other hand the bridge is raised,
and so the conduction between the two sides suspended, the current is
not able to pass directly from one side to the other, but can and does
pass along the wire through the nerve back to the battery. Hence in
arrangement A, ' putting down the key ' as it is called makes a current
in the nerve, and ' raising ' or ' opening the key ' breaks the current. In
arrangement B, however, putting down the key diverts the current from
the nerve by sending it through the bridge, and so back to the battery ;
the current instead of making the longer circuit through the electrodes
makes the shorter circuit through the key ; hence this is called ' short
circuiting.' When the bridge is raised the current passes through the
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. ' 63
nerve dh the electrodes. Thus ' initting down ' and ' raising or ' opening '
the key liave contrary eflects in A and B. In B, it will be observed,
the battery is always at work, the current is always flowing either
through the electrodes (key up) or through the key (key down); in
A, the battery is not at work until the circuit is made by putting
down the key. And in many cases it is desirable to take so to speak
a sample of the current while the battery is in full swing rather than
just as it begins to work. Moreover in B the electrodes are, when the
key is down, wholly shut off from the current ; whereas in A, when
the key is up, one electrode is still in direct connection with the battery ;
and this connection, leading to what is known as unipolar action, may
give rise to stimulation of the nerve. Hence the use of the key in
the form B.
Other forms of key may be used. Thus in the Morse key {F, Fig.
4) contact is made by pressing down a lever handle (Jia); when the
pressure is removed, the handle, driven up by a spring, breaks contact.
In the arrangement shewn in the figure one wire from the battery
being brought tt) the binding screw h, while the binding screw a is
connected with the other wire, putting down the handle makes connec-
tion between a and 6, and thus makes a current. By arranging the wires
in the several binding screws in a diti'erent way, the making contact by
depressing the handle may be used to short circuit.
In an " induction coil," Figs. 4 and 5, the wire connecting the two
elements of a battery is twisted at some part of its course into a close
spiral, called the lorimary coil. Thus in Fig. 4 the wire cc'" connected
with the copper or negative plate c.p. of the battery, E^ joins the
primary coil pr. c, and then passes on as y'", through the " key " F,
to the positive (zinc) plate 2.^:>. of the battery. Over this primary coil,
but quite unconnected with it. slides another coil, — the secondary coil, s.c. ;
the ends of the wire forming this coil, y" and x", are continued on in
the arrangement illustrated in the figure as y' and y, and as x' and x,
and terminate in electrodes. If these electrodes are in contact or con-
nected with conducting material, the circuit of the secondary coil is said
to be closed ; otherwise it is open.
In such an arrangement it is found that at the moment when
the primary circuit is closed, — i. e. when the primary current is "made,"
a secondary " induced " current is, for an exceedingly brief period of
time, set up in the secondary coil. Thus in F'ig. 3 when, by moving
the "key " F, y'" and x'" (previously not in connection with" each other)
are put into connection and the primary current thus made, at that
instant a current appears in the wires y" x" kc, but almost immediately'
disappears. A similar almost instantaneous current is also developed
when the primary current is " broken," but not till then. So long as
the primary current flows with uniform intensity, no current is induced
in the secondary coil. It is only when the primary current is either
made or broken, or suddenly varies in intensity, that a current appears
in the secondary coil. In each case the current is of very brief
duration, gone in an instant almost, and may therefore be spoken of as
" a shock," an induction shock, — being called a " making shock " when
it is caused by the making, and a "breaking shock" when it is caused
by the breaking, of the primary circuit. The direction of the current
64
INDUCTION COIL.
[Book i.
iiiiii^
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 65
Fig. 4. Diagram illustrating Apparatus arranged for Experiments
AviTii MuscLii and Nerve.
A. The moist chamber containino; the muscle-nerve preparation. The muscle
m, supported by the clamp r/., which firmly grasps the end of the femur /; is
connected by means of the IS hook s and a thread with the lever /, placed below
the moist chamber. The nerve n, with the portion of the spinal column n' still
attached to it, is placed on tho electrode-holder el, in contact with the wires
X, I/. The wiiole of the interior of the ghass case g/. is kept saturated with
moisture, and the electrode-holder is so constructed that a piece of moistened
blotting-paper may be placed on it without coming into contact with the
nerve.
B. The revolving cylinder bearing the smoked paper on which the lever writes.
C. Du Bois-Reymond's key arranged for short-circuiting. The wires x and y of
the electrode-holder are connected through binding screws in the floor of the
moist chamber with the wires x', if , and tliese are secured in the kev, one on
either side. To the same key are attached the wires x" y" coming "from the
secondary coils .s. c. of the induction-coil D. This secondary coil can be made to
slide up and down over the primary coil pr. c, with which are connected the two
wires x'" and /". x'" is counected directly with one pole, for instance the copper
pole c. p. of the battery E. y'" is carried to a binding screw a of the Morse key
F, and is continued as //'^ from another binding screw 6 of the key to the zinc
pole z. p. of the battery.
Supposing everything to be arranged, and the battery charged, on depressing the
handle ha, of the Morse key F, a current will be made in the primary coil pr. c,
passing from c. p. through x'" to pr. c, and thence through ?/'" to a, thence to b,
and so through ?/'^' to z. p. On removing the finger from the handle of F, a spring
thrusts up the handle, and the primary circuit is in consequence immediately
broken.
At the instant that the primary current is either made or broken, an induced
current is for the instant developed in the secondary coil s. c. If the cross bar h in
the du Bois-Reymond's key be raised (as shewn in the thick line in the figure), the
wires x" x' x, the nerve between the electrodes and the wires ?/, tj', y" form the
complete secondary circuit, and the nerve consequently experiences a making or
breaking induction-shock whenever the primary current is made or broken. If the
cross bar of the du Bois-Reymond's key be shut down, as in the dotted line h' in the
figure, the resistance of the cross bar is so slight compared with that of the nerve
and of the wires going from the key to the nerve, that the whole secondary (induced)
current passes from x" to y" (or from y" to x"), along the cross bar, and' practically
none passes into the nerve. The nerve being thus " short-circuited." is not affected
by any changes in the current.
The figure is intended merely to illustrate the general method of studying muscular
contraction ; it is not to be supposed that the details here given are universally
adopted or indeed the best for all purposes.
in the making shock is opposed to that of the primary current ; thus in
the figure while the primary current flows from x'" to y'", the induced
making shock flows from y to x. The current of the breaking shock
on the other hand flows in the same direction as the primary current
from X to .y, and is therefore in direction the reverse of the making
shock. Compare Fig. 4, where arrangement is shewn in a diagrammatic
manner.
The current from the battery, upon its first entrance into the
primary coil, as it passes along each twist of that coil, gives rise in the
neighbouring twists of the same coil to a momentary induced current
having a direction opposite to its own, and therefore tending to weaken
itself. It is not until this ' self-induction ' has passed ofl" that the
5
66
INDUCTION COIL.
[Book
current in the primary coil is established in its full strength. Owing
to this delay in the full establishment of the current in the primary
coil, the induced current in the secondary coil is developed more slowly
Fig. 5. Diagram of an Induction Coil.
+ positive pole, end of negative element; — negative pole, end of positive
element of battery ; K, du Bois-Reymond's key ; pr. c. primary coil, current shewn by
feathered arrow ; sc. c. secondary coil, current shewn by unfeathered arrow.
than it would be were no such ' self-induction ' present. On the other
hand, when the current from the battery is ' broken,' or ' shut off ' from
the primary coil, no such delay is offered to its disappearance, and
consequently the induced current in the secondary coil is developed
with unimpeded rapidity. "We shall see later on that a rapidly de-
veloped current is more effective as a stimulus than is a more slowly
developed current. Hence the making shock, where rapidity of pro-
duction is interfered with by the self-induction of the primary coil, is
less effective as a stimulus than the breaking shock, whose development
is not thus interfered with.
The strength of the induced current depends, on the one hand, on
the strength of the current passing through the primary coil, — that is,
on the strength of the battery. It also depends on the relative position
of the two coils. Thus, if a secondary coil is brought nearer and nearer
to the primary coil and made to overlap it more and more, the
induced current becomes stronger and stronger, though the current
from the battery remains the same. With an ordinary battery, the
secondary coil may be pushed to some distance away from the primary
coil, and yet shocks sufficient to stimulate a muscle will be obtained.
For this purpose however the two coils should be in the same line ;
when the secondary coil is placed cross-wise, at right angles to the
primary, no induced current is developed, and at intermediate angles
the induced current has intermediate strengths.
When the primary current is repeatedly and rapidly made and
broken, the secondary current being developed with each make and
with each break, a rapidly recurring series of alternating currents is
developed in the secondary coil and passes through its electrodes. We
shall frequently speak of this as the intemipted induction current, or
more briefly the interrupted current ; it is sometimes spoken of as the
Chap, u.]
THE CONTKACTILE TISSUES.
67
faradaic current, and the api^lication of it to any tissue is spoken of as
faradization.
Such a repeated breaking and making of the primary current may
be effected in many various ways. In the instrument commonly used
for the purpose, the primary current is made and broken by means of a
vibrating steel slip working against a magnet ; hence the instrument is
called a magnetic interruptor. See Fig. 6.
Fig. 6. The Magnetic Interruptor.
The two wires x and y from the battery are connected with the two
brass pillars a and d hj means of screws. Directly contact is thus
made, the current, indicated in the figure by the thicTc interrupted line,
passes in the direction of the arrows, up tlie pillar a, along the steel
spring h, as far as the screw c, the point of which, armed with platinum,
is in contact with a small platinum plate on h. The current passes
from h through c and a connecting wire into the primary coil ]). Upon
its entering into the primary coil, an induced (making) current is for
the instant developed in the secondary coil (not shewn in the figure).
From the primary coil p the current passes, b}'- a connecting wire,
through the double spiral m, and, did nothing happen, would continue
to pass from m by a connecting wire to the pillar d, and so by the wire
y to the battery. The whole of this course is indicated by the thick
interrupted line with its arrows.
As the current however passes through the spirals m, the iron cores
of these are made magnetic. They in consequence draw down the iron
bar e, fixed at the end of the spring b, the flexibility of the spring
allowing this. But when e is drawn down, the platinum plate on the
upper surface of b is also drawn away from the screw c, and thus the
current is "broken " at b. (Sometimes the screw/ is so arranged that
when e is drawn down a platinum ])late on the under surface of b is
brought into. contact with the platinum-armed point of the screw /.
68
INDUCTION COIL.
[Book i.
The current then passes from b not to c but to /, and so down the
pillar d, in the direction indicated by the thi7i interrupted line, and out
to the battery by the wire y, and is thus cut off from the primary coil.
But this arrangement is unnecessary.) At the instant that the cur-
rent is thus broken and so cut off from the primary coil, an induced
(breaking) current is for the moment developed in the secondary coil.
But the current is cut off not only from the primary coil, but also
from the spirals m ; in consequence their cores cease to be magnetised,
the bar e ceases to be attracted by them, and the spring h, by virtue of
its elasticity, resumes its former position in contact with the screw c.
This return of the spring however re-establishes the current in the
primary coil and in the spirals, and the spring is drawn down, to be
released once more in the same manner as before. Thus as long as
the current is passing along x, the contact of h with c is alternately
being made and broken, and the current is constantly passing into and
being shut off from p, the periods of alternation being determined by
the periods of vibration of the spring b. With each passage of the
current into, or withdrawal from the primary coil, an induced (making
and, respectively, breaking) current is developed in a secondary coil.
As thus used, each 'making shock,' as explained above, is less
powerful than the corresponding ' breaking shock ; ' and indeed it
sometimes happens that instead of each make as well as each break
acting as a stimulus, giving rise to a contraction, the ' breaks ' only are
effective, the several ' makes' giving rise to no contractions.
By what is known as Helmholtz's arrangement, Fig. 7, however,
Fig. 7. The Magnetic Inteeruptor avith Helmholtz arrangement for equal-
izing THE Make and Break Shocks.
the making and breaking shocks may be equalized. For this purpose
the screw c is raised out of reach of the excursions of the spring b, and
CiiAP. Ji.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 69
a moderately thick wire iv, offering a certain amount only of resistance,
is interposed between the upper binding screw a' on the pillar a, and
the binding screw c' leading to the primary coil. Under these arrange-
ments the current from the battery passes through a', along the inter-
posed wire to c', through the primary coil and thus as before to vi.
As before, by the magnetization of m, e is drawn down and b brought
in contact with/. As the result of this contact, the current from the
battery can now pass by or, /, and d (shewn by the thin interrupted line)
back to the battery ; but not the whole of the current, some of it can
still pass along the wire iv to the primary coil, the relative amount
being determined by the relative resistances offered by the two courses.
Hence at each successive magnetization of vi, the current in the
primary coil does not entirely disappear when h is brought in contact
with/,- it is only so far diminished that vi ceases to attract e, and
hence by the release of 6 from / the whole current once more passes
along IV. Since at what corresponds to the ' break ' the current in
the primary coil is diminished only, not absolutely done away with,
self-induction makes its appearance at the ' break ' as well as at the
' make ; ' thus the ' breaking ' and ' making ' induced currents or shocks
in the secondary coil are equalized. They are both reduced to the
lower efficiency of the ' making ' shock in the old arrangement ;
hence to produce the same strength of stimulus with this arrange-
ment a stronger current must be applied or the secondaiy coil pushed
over the primary coil to a greater extent than with the other arrange-
ment.
The Phenomena of a Simple Muscular Contraction.
§ 45. If the far end of the nerve of a muscle-nerve preparation
(Figs. 2 and 4) be laid on electrodes connected with the secondary
coil of an induction-machine, the passage of a single induction-
shock, which may be taken as a convenient form of an almost mo-
mentary stimulus, will produce no visible change in the nerve, but
the muscle will give a twitch, a short, sharp contraction, — i. e., will
for an instant shorten itself, becoming thicker the while, and then
return to its previous condition. If one end of the muscle be attached
to a lever, while the other is fixed, the lever will by its movements
indicate the extent and duration of the shortening. If the point
of the lever be brought to bear on some rapidly travelling surface,
on which it leaves a mark (being for this purpose armed with a
pen and ink if the surface be plain paper, or with a bristle or
finely pointed piece of platinum foil if the surface be smoked glass
or paper), so long as the muscle remains at rest the lever will
describe an even line, which we may call the base line. If how-
ever the muscle shortens, the lever will rise above the base line
and thus describe some sort of curve above the base line. Now,
70
A SIMPLE MUSCULAE CONTEACTIOK [Book i.
it is found that when a single induction-shock is sent through the
nerve the twitch which the muscle gives causes the lever to de-
scribe some such curve as that shewn in Fig. 8 ; the lever (after a
brief interval immediately succeeding the opening or shutting the
key, of which we shall speak presently) rises at first rapidly but
afterwards more slowly, shewing that the muscle is correspondingly
shortening, then ceases to rise, shewing that the muscle is ceasing
Fig. 8. A Muscle-curve from the Gastrocnemius of the Frog.
This curve, like all succeeding ones, unless otherwise indicated, is to be read
from left to right, — that is to say, while the lever and tuning-fork were stationary
the recording surface was travelling from right to left.
a indicates the moment at which the induction-shock is sent into the nerve ; b the
commencement, c the maximum, and d the close of the contraction.
Below the muscle-curve is the curve drawn by a tuning-fork making 100 double
vibrations a second, each complete curve representing therefore one-hundredth of
a second.
to grow shorter ; then descends, shewing that the muscle is length-
ening again ; and finally, sooner or later, reaches and joins the base
line, shewing that the muscle after the shortening has regained
its previous natural length. Such a curve described by a muscle
during a twitch or simple muscular contraction, caused by a single
induction-shock or by any other stimulus producing the same effect,
is called a curve of a simple muscular contraction or, more shortly,
a " muscle-curve." It is obvious that the exact form of the curve
described by identical contractions of a muscle will depend on the
rapidity with which the recording surface is travelling. Thus if
the surface be travelling slowly the up-stroke corresponding to
the shortening will be very abrupt and the down-stroke also very
steep, as in Fig. 9, which is a curve from a
gastrocnemius muscle of a frog, taken with a
slowly moving drum, the tuning-fork being
the same as that used in Fig. 8 ; indeed with
a very slow movement, the two may be hardly
separable from each other. On the other
hand, if the surface travel very rapidly the
curve may be immensely long drawn out, as
in Fig. 10, which is a curve from a gastro-
cnemius muscle of a frog, taken with a very
rapidly moving pendulum myograph, the tuning-fork marking
about 500 vibrations a second. On examination, however, it will
Fig. 9.
Chap, ii.]
THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES.
71
be found that both these extreme curves are funda-
mentally the same as the medium one, when
account is taken of the different rapidities of the
travelling surface in the several cases.
In order to make the ' muscle-curve ' complete,
it is necessary to mark on the recording surface the
exact time at which the induction-shock is sent into
ihe nerve, and also to note the speed at which the
recording surface is travelling.
In the pendulum myograph the rate of move-
ment can be calculated from the length of the
pendulum ; but even in this it is convenient, and
in the case of the spring myograph and revolving
cylinder is necessary, to measure the rate of move-
ment directly by means of a vibrating tuning-fork
or of some body vibrating regularly. Indeed it is
best to make such a direct measurement with each
curve that is taken.
A tuning-fork, as is known, vibrates so many
times a second according to its pitch. If a tuning-
fork, armed with a light marker on one of its prongs
and vibrating say 100 a second, — i.e., executing a
double vibration, moving forwards and backwards,
100 times a second, — be brought while vibrating to
make a tracing on the recording surface immedi-
ately below the lever belonging to the muscle, we
can use the curve or rather curves described by the
tuning-fork to measure the duration of any part or
of the whole of the muscle-curve. It is essential
that at starting the point of the marker of the
tuning-fork should be exactly underneath the marker
of the lever, or rather, since the point of the lever
as it moves up and down describes not a straight
line but an arc of a circle of which its fulcrum is
the centre and itself (from the fulcrum to the tip
of the marker) the radius, that the point of the
marker of the tuning-fork should be exactly on
the arc described by the marker of the lever, either
above or below it, as may prove most convenient.
If then at starting the tuning-fork marker be thus
on the arc of the lever marker, and we note on the
curve of the tuning-fork the place where the arc
of the lever cuts it at the beginning and at the end
of the muscle-curve, as at Fig. 8, we can count the
number of vibrations of the tuning-fork which have
taken place between the two marks, and so ascer-
tain the whole time of the muscle-curve ; if for
instance there have been 10 double vibrations, each
Fig. 10
12
PENDULUM MYOGRAPH.
[Book i.
Fig 11. The Pendulum Myograph.
The figure is diagrammatic, the essentials onl}'^ of the instrument being shewn.
The smoked glass plate A swings with the pendulum B on carefully adjusted
Chap. ii.J THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES 73
bearings at C. The contrivances by wliicli the glass plate can be removed and
replaced at pleasure are not shewn. A second glass ])late so arranged that the
first glass plate may be moved u]) and down without altering the swing of the
pendulum is also omitted. Before commencing an ex])erimeiit the pendulum is
raised up (in the figure to the right), and is kept in that positi(jn by the tooth a
catching ou the spring-catch /;. On depressing the catch b the glass plate is set
free, swings into the new position indicated by the dotted lines, and is held in that
position by the tooth a' catching on the catch //. In the course of its swing the
tooth a' coming into contact with tlie jjrojecting steel rod r, ivnocks it on one side
into the position indicated by the dotted line c'. The rod c is in electric continuity
with the wire x of the primary coil of an induction-machine. The screw d is
similarly in electric continuity with the wire /y of the same primary coil. The
screw d and the rod c are armed with platinum at the points in whicli they are in
contact, and both are insulated by means of the ebonite block e. As long as c and d
are in contact the circuit of the primary coil to which x and y belong is closed.
When in its swing the tooth a' knocks c away from d, at that instant the circuit is
broken, and a ' breaking ' shock is sent through the electrodes connected with the
secondary coil of the machine, and so through the nerve. The lever /, the end only
of which is shewn in the figure, is brought to bear on the glass plate, and when at
rest describes a straight line, or more exactly an arc of a circle of large radius. The
tuning-fork /, the ends only of the two limbs of which are shewn in the figure
placed immediately below the lever, serves to mark the time.
occupying yj^- sec, the whole curve has taken Jg- sec. to make.
In the same way we can measure the duration of the rise of the
curve or of the fall, or of any part of it.
Though the tuning-fork may, by simply striking it, be set
going long enough for the purposes of an observation, it is
convenient to keep it going by means of an electric current and
a magnet, very much as the spring in the ' magnetic interrupter '
(Fig. 6) is kept going.
It is not necessary to use an actual tuning-fork ; any rod,
armed with a marker, which can be made to vibrate regularly,
and whose time of vibration is known, may be used for the pur-
pose ; thus a reed, made to vibrate by a blast of air, is sometimes
employed.
The exact moment at which the induction-shock is thrown
into the nerve may be recorded on the muscle-curve by means of
a ' signal,' which may be applied in various ways.
A light steel lever armed with a marker is arranged over a small
coil by means of a light spring in such a way that wlien the coil by
the passage of a current through it becomes a magnet it pulls the
lever down to itself; on the current being broken, and the magneti-
zation of the coil ceasing, the lever by lielp of the spring flies up. The
marker of such a lever is placed immediately under (i.e., at some point
on the arc described by) the marker of the muscle (or other) lever.
Hence by making a current in the coil and putting the signal lever
down, or by breaking an already existing current, and letting the
signal lever fly up, we can make at pleasure a mark corresponding to
any part we please of the muscle (or other) curve.
If in order to magnetize the coil of the signal, we use, as we may
do, the primary current which generates the induction-shock, the break-
ing or making of the primary current, whichever we use to produce the
74 GRAPHIC RECORD OF A CONTRACTIOK. [Book i.
induction-shock, will make the signal lever fly up or come down.
Hence we shall have on the recording surface, under the muscle, a
mark indicating the exact moment at which the primary current was
broken or made. Now, the time taken up hy the generation of the
induced current and its passage into the nerve between the electrodes
is so infinitesimally small, that we may, without appreciable error, take
the moment of the breaking or making of the primary current as
the moment of the entrance of the induction-shock into the nerve.
Thus we can mark below the muscle-curve, or, by describing the arc of
the muscle lever, on the muscle-curve itself, the exact moment at which
the induction-shock falls into the nerve between the electrodes, as is
done at a in Figs. 8, 9, 10.
In the pendulum myograph a separate signal is not needed. If,
having placed the muscle lever in the position in which we intend to
make it record, we allow the glass plate to descend until the tooth a'
just touches the rod c (so that the rod is just about to be knocked
down, and so break the primary circuit) and make on the base line,
which is meanwhile being described by the lever marker, a mark to
indicate where the point pf the marker is under these circumstances,
and then bring back the plate to its proper position, the mark which
we have made will mark the moment of the breaking of the primary
circuit and so of the entrance of the induction-shock into the nerve.
For it is just when, as the glass plate swings down, the marker of the
lever comes to the mark which we have made that the rod c is knocked
back and the primary current is broken.
Fig. 12.
Diagram of an Arrangement of a Vibrating Tuning-fork
WITH A Desprez Signal.
The current flows along the wire /connected with the positive (+) pole or end
of the negative plate {N) of the battery, through the tuning-fork, down the pin
connected with the end of the lower prong, to the mercury in the cup Hg, and so by
a wire (shewn in the figure as a black line bent at right angles) to the binding
screw e. From this binding screw part of the current flows through the coil a
between the prongs of the tuning-fork, and thence by the wire c to the binding
screw a, while another part flows through the wire g, through the coil of the
Desprez signal back by the wire b, to the binding screw a. From the binding
screw a the current passes back to the negative {— ) pole or end of the positive
element (P) of the battery. As the current "flows through the coil of the Desprez
signal from g to 6, the core of coil becoming magnetized draws to it the marker of
the signal. As the current flows through the coil d, the core of that coil, also
becoming magnetized, draws up the lower prong of the fork. But the pin is so
adjusted that the drawing up of the prong lifts the point of the pin out of the
mercury. In consequence, the current, being thus broken at Hg, flows neither
through d nor through the Desprez signal. In consequence, the core of the Desprez
thus ceasing to be magnetized, the marker flies back, being usually assisted by a
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 75
spring (not shewn in the figure). But, in consequence of the current ceasing to flow
throu<4'h (/, the core of d ceases to lift uj) the prong, and the pin, in the descent of
tiie prong, makes contact once more with the mercury. The re-establishment of tlie
current, however, once more acting on the two coils, again pulls upon the marker of
the signal, and again, by magnetizing the core of d, pulls u]) the prong and once
more breaks the current. Thus the current is continually made and broken, the
rapidity of the interruptions being determined by the vibration jjeriods of tlie
tuning-fork, and tlie lever of the signal rising and falling synchronously with the
movements of the tuning-fork.
A 'signal' like the above, in an improved form known as Desprez's,
may be iisecl also to record time, and thus the awkwardness of bringing
a large tuning-fork up to the recording surface obviated. For this pur-
pose the signal is introduced into a circuit, the current of which is
continually being made and broken by a tuning-fork (Fig. 11). The
tuning-fork, once set vibrating, continues to make and break the current
at each of its vibrations, and, as stated above, is kept vibrating by the
current. But each make or break caused by the tuning-fork affects
also the small coil of the signal, causing the lever of the signal to fall
down or fly up. Thus tlie signal describes vibration curves synchronous
with those of the tuning-fork driving it. The signal may similarly be
worked by means of vibrating agents other than a tuning-fork.
Various recording surfaces may be used. The form most generally
useful is a cylinder covered with smoked paper, and made to revolve by
clockwork or otherwise ; such a cylinder driven by clockwork is shewn
in Fig. 4, B. By using a cylinder of large radius with adequate gear,
a high speed, some inches for instance in a second, can be obtained. In
the spring myograph a smoked glass plate is thrust rapidly forward
along a groove, by means of a spring suddenly thrown into action. In
the pendulum myograph, Fig. 10, a smoked glass plate attached to tlie
lower end of a long frame, swinging like a pendulum, is suddenly let go
at a certain height, and so swings rapidly through an arc of a circle.
The disadvantage of the last two methods is that the surface travels at
a continually changing rate, whereas, in the revolving cylinder, careful
construction and adjustment will secure a very uniform rate.
§ 46. Having thus obtained a time record, and an indication
of the exact moment at which the induction-shock falls into the
nerve, we may for present purposes consider the muscle-curve
complete. The study of such a curve, as for instance that shewn
in Fig. 8, taken from the gastrocnemius of a frog, teaches us the
following facts : —
1. That although the passage of the induced current from
electrode to electrode is practically instantaneous, its effect, meas-
ured from the entrance of the shock into the nerve to the return
of the muscle to its natural length after the shortening, takes
an appreciable time. In the figure, the whole curve from a to cl
takes up about the same time as eleven double vibrations of the
tuning-fork. Since each double vibration here represents 100th of
a second, the duration of the whole curve is rather more than
TO s®^-
76 MUSCLE-CURVE. [Book i.
2. In the first portion of this period, from a to h, there is no
visible change, no raising of the lever, no shortening of the muscle.
3. It is not until 5 — that is to say, after the lapse of about
■^-^ sec. — that the shortening begins. The shortening as shewn
by the curve is at first slow, but soon becomes more rapid, and
then slackens again until it reaches a maximum at c ; the whole
shortening occupying rather more than -^^-^ sec.
4. Arrived at the maximum of shortening, the muscle at once
begins to relax, the lever descending at first slowly, then more
rapidly, and at last more slowly again, until at d the muscle has
regained its natural length ; the whole return from the maximum
of contraction to the natural length occupying rather more than
10 0 ^®^'
Thus a simple muscular contraction, a simple spasm or twitch,
produced by a momentary stimulus, such as a single induction-
shock, consists of three main phases : —
1. A phase antecedent to any visible alteration in the muscle.
This phase, during which invisible preparatory changes are taking
place in the nerve and muscle, is called the latent •period.''
2. A phase of shortening, or, in the more strict meaning of
the word, contraction.
3. A phase of relaxation or return to the original length.
In the case we are considering, the electrodes are supposed
to be applied to the nerve at some distance from the muscle.
Consequently the latent period of the curve comprises not only
the preparatory actions which may be going on in the muscle
itself, but also the changes necessary to conduct the immediate
effect of the induction-shock, from the part of the nerve between
the electrodes along a considerable length of nerve down to the
muscle. It is obvious that these latter changes might be elimi-
nated by placing the electrodes on the muscle itself, or on the
nerve close to the muscle. If this were done, the muscle and
lever being exactly as before, and care were taken that the
induction-shock entered into the nerve at the new spot, at the
moment when the point of the lever had reached exactly the same
point of the travelling surface as before, two curves would be
gained having the relations shewn in Fig. 13. The two curves
resemble each other in almost all points, except that in the curve
taken with the shorter piece of nerve, the latent period, the
distance a to & as compared with the distance a to V is shortened :
the contraction begins rather earlier. A study of the two curves
teaches us the following two facts : —
1. Shifting the electrodes from a point of the nerve at some
distance from the muscle to a point of the nerve close to the
muscle, has only shortened the latent period a very little. Even
when a very long piece of nerve is taken, the difference in the two
curves is very small, and, indeed, in order that .it may be clearly
recognized or measured, the travelling surface must be made to
Chap, ii.] THE CONTIIACTILE TISSUES. 77
travel very rapidly. It is obvicnis, therefore, that by far the greater
part of the latent period is taken up liy changes in the muscle
Fig. 13. Curves illustrating the Measurement of the Velocity of a
Nervous Impulse.
The same muscle-nerve preparatiou is stimulated (1) as far as possible from the
muscle, (2) as uear as possible to the muscle ; both contractious are registered in
exactly the same way.
In (I), the stimulus enters the nerve at the time indicated by the line a, the con-
traction begins at b' ; the whole latent period therefore is indicated by the distance
from a to b'.
In (2), the stimulus enters the nerve at exactly the same time a ; the contraction
begins at b : the latent period therefore is indicated by the distance between a and b.
The time taken up l)y the nervous impulse in passing along the length of nerve
between 1 and 2 is therefore indicated by the distance between b and b', which may
be measured by the tuning-fork curve below ■ each double vibration of the tuning-
fork corresponds to ^^^ or 0083 sec.
itself, changes antecedent to the shortening becoming actually
visible. Of course, even when the electrodes are placed close to
the muscle, the latent period includes the changes going on in the
short piece of nerve still lying between the electrodes and the
muscular fibres. To eliminate this with a view of determining
the latent period in the muscle itself, the electrodes might be
placed directly on the muscle poisoned with urari. If this were
done, it would be found that the latent period remained about the
same, — that is to say, that in all cases the latent period is chiefly
taken up by changes in the muscular as distinguished from the
nervous elements.
2. Such difference as does exist between the two curves in
the figure, indicates the time taken up by the propagation, along
the piece of nerve, of the changes set up at the far end of the nerve
by the induction-shock. These changes we have already spoken
of as constituting a nervous impulse ; and the above experiment
shews that it takes a small but yet distinctly apprecialDle time
for a nervous impulse to travel along a nerve. In the figure the
difference between the two latent periods, the distance between b
and h', seems almost too small to measure accurately ; but if a
long piece of nerve be used for the experiment, and the recording
surface be made to travel very fast, the difference between the
duration of the latent period when the induction-shock is sent in
at a point close to the muscle, and that when it is sent in at a
point as far away as possible from the muscle, may be satisfactorily
measured in fractions of a second. If the length of nerve between
78 VELOCITY OF NEEVOUS IMPULSE. [Book i.
the two points be accurately measured, the rate at which a nervous
impulse travels along the nerve to a muscle can thus be easily
calculated. This has been found to be in the frog about 28, and
in man about 33 metres per second, but varies considerably,
especially in warm-blooded animals.
Thus when a momentary stimulus, such as a single induction-
shock, is sent into a nerve connected with a muscle, the following
events take place : a nervous impulse is started in the nerve, and
this travelling down to the muscle produces in the muscle first the
invisible changes which occupy the latent period, secondly the
changes which bring about the visible shortening or contraction
proper, and thirdly the changes which bring about the relaxation
and return to the original length. The changes taking place in
these several phases are changes of living matter : they vary with
the condition of the living substance of the muscle, and only take
place so long as the muscle is alive. Though the relaxation which
brings back the muscle to its original length is assisted by the
muscle being loaded with a weight, or otherwise stretched, this is
not essential to the actual relaxation, and with the same load the
return will vary according to the condition of the muscle ; the
relaxation must be considered as an essential part of the whole
contraction, no less than the shortening itself.
§ 47. Not only, as we shall see later on, does the whole con-
traction vary in extent and character according to the condition of
the muscle, the strength of the induction-shock, the load which the
muscle is bearing, and various attendant circumstances, but the
three phases may vary independently. The latent period may be
longer or shorter, the shortening may take a longer or shorter
time to reach the same height, and especially the relaxation may
be slow or rapid, complete or imperfect. Even when the same
strength of induction-shock is used, the contraction may be short
and sharp, or very long drawn out, so that the curves described on
a recording surface, travelling at the same rate in the two cases,
appear very different ; and, under certain circumstances, as when a
muscle is fatigued, the relaxation, more particularly the last part
of it, may be so slow, that it may be several seconds before the
muscle really regains its original length. We may add that the
latent period, which in an ordinary experiment on a frog's gastro-
cnemius is so conspicuous, may, under certain circumstances, be so
shortened as almost, if not wholly, to disappear. Indeed, it is
maintained by some that the occurrence of the latent period is
not an essential feature of the whole act.
Hence, if we say that the duration of a simple muscular con-
traction of the gastrocnemius of a frog under ordinary circumstances
is about Y^Q- sec, of which ^^^ is taken up by the latent period, j^q
by the contraction, and -^^q by the relaxation, these must be taken
as ' round numbers,' stated so as to be easily remembered. The
duration of each phase as well as of the whole contraction varies in
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 79
different animals, in different muscles of the same animal, and in
the same muscle under different conditions.
The muscle-curve which we have been discussing is a curve of
changes in the length only of the muscle ; but if the muscle, instead
of being suspended, were laid fiat on a glass plate, and a lever laid
over its belly, we should find, upon sending an induction-shock
into the nerve, that the lever was raised, shewing that the muscle
during the contraction became thicker. And if we took a graphic
record of the movements of the lever, we should obtain a curve
very similar to the one just discussed; after a latent period the
lever would rise, shewing that the muscle was getting thicker, and
afterwards would fall, shewing that the muscle was becoming thin
again. In other words, in contraction the lessening of the muscle
lengthwise is accompanied by an increase crosswise ; indeed, as we
shall see later on, the muscle in contracting is not diminisiied in
bulk at all (or only to an exceedingly small extent, about -[o-J^-o of
its total bulk), but makes up for its diminution in length by
increasing in its other diameters.
§ 48. A single induction-shock is, as we have said, the most
convenient form of stimulus for producing a simple muscular con-
traction, but this may also be obtained by other stimuli, provided
that these are sufficiently sudden and short in their action, as, for
instance, by a prick of, or sharp blow on, the nerve or muscle. For
the production of a single, simple muscular contraction, the changes
in the nerve leading to the muscle must be of such a kind as to
constitute what may be called a single nervous impulse, and any
stimulus which will evoke a single nervous impulse only may be
used to produce a simple muscular contraction.
As a rule, however, most stimuli other than single induction-
shocks tend to produce in a nerve several nervous impulses, and,
as we shall see, the nervous impulses which issue from the central
nervous system, and so pass along nerves to muscles, are, as a rule,
not single and simple, but complex. Hence, as a matter of fact,
a simple muscular contraction is within the living body a com-
paratively rare event (at least as far as the skeletal muscles are
concerned,) and cannot easily be produced outside the body other-
wise than by a single induction-shock. The ordinary form of
muscular contraction is not a simple muscular contraction, but the
more complex form known as a tetanic contraction, to the study
of which we must now turn.
Tetanic Contractions.
§ 49. If a single induction-shock be followed at a certain
interval by a second shock of the same strength, the first simple
contraction will be followed by a second simple contraction, both
80
TETANUS.
[Book
contractions being separate and distinct ; and, if the shocks be
repeated, a series of rhythmically-recurring, separate, simple con-
tractions may be obtained. If, however, the interval between two
shocks be made short, — if, for instance, it be made only just long
enough to allow the first contraction to have passed its maximum
before the latent period of the second is over, — the curves of the
two contractions will bear some such relation to each other as
that shewn in Fig. 14. It will be observed that the second curve
is almost in all respects like the first, except that it starts, so to
speak, from the first curve instead of from the base-line. The
second nervous impulse has acted on the already contracted
muscle, and made it contract again just as it would have done if
there had been no first impulse, and the muscle had been at rest.
The two contractions are added together, and the lever is raised
nearly double the height it would have been by either alone. If
in the same way a third shock follows the second at a sufficiently
Fig. 14. Tracing of a Double Muscle-curve.
While the muscle (gastrocnemius of frog) was engaged in the first contraction
(whose complete course, had nothing intervened, is indicated by the dotted line), a
second induction-shock was thrown in, at such a time that the secoud contraction
began just as the first was beginning to decline. The second curve is seen to start
from the first, as does the first from the base-line.
short interval, a third curve is piled on the top of the second ; the
same with a fourth, and so on. A more or less similar result
would occur if the second contraction began at another phase
of the first. The combined effect is, of course, greatest when
the second contraction begins at the maximum of the first, being
less both before and afterwards.
Hence, the result of a repetition of shocks will depend largely
on the rate of repetition. If, as in Fig. 15, the shocks follow each
other so slowly that one contraction is over, or almost over, before
the next begins, each contraction will be distinct, or nearly distinct,
and there will be little or no combined effect.
Fig. 15. Muscle-cubve. Single Induction-shock repeated slowly.
ClIAP. II.]
THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES.
81
If, however, the shocks be repeated more rapidly, as in Fig. 16,
each succeeding contraction will start from some part of the
preceding one, and the lever will be raised to a greater height at
each contraction.
Fig. 16. Muscle-curve. Single Induction-shock repeated more rapidly.
If the frequency of the shocks be still further increased, as in
Fig. 17, the rise due to the combination of contraction will be still
more rapid, and a smaller part of each contraction will be visible
on the curve.
Fig. 17. Muscle-curve. Single Induction-shock repeated still more rapidly.
In each of these three curves it will be noticed that the
character of the curve changes somewhat during its development.
The change is the result of commencing fatigue, caused by the
repetition of the contractions, the fatigue manifesting itself by an
increasing prolongation of each contraction, shewn especially in a
delay of relaxation, and by an increasing diminution in the height
of the contraction. Thus in Fig. 15 the contractions, quite distinct
at first, become fused later ; the fifth contraction, for instance, is
prolonged so that the sixth begins before the lever has reached
the base line ; yet the summit of the sixth is hardly higher than
the summit of the fifth, since the sixth, though starting at a higher
level, is a somewhat weaker contraction. So, also, in Fig. 16, the
lever rises rapidly at first, but more slowly afterw%ards, owing to an
increasing diminution in the height of the single contractions. In
Fig. 17 the increment of rise of the curve due to each contraction
diminishes very rapidly, and though the lever does continue to
6
82 TETANUS. [Book i.
rise during the whole series, the ascent, after about the sixth
contraction, is very gradual indeed, and the indications of the
individual contractions are much less marked than at first.
Hence, when shocks are repeated with sufficient rapidity, it
results that, after a certain number of shocks, the succeeding
impulses do not cause any further shortening of the muscle, any
further raising of the lever, but merely keep up the contraction
already existing. The curve thus reaches a maximum, which it
maintains, subject to the depressing effects of exhaustion, so long
as the shocks are repeated. When these cease to be given, the
muscle returns to its natural length.
When the shocks succeed each other still more rapidly than
in Fig. 17, the individual contractions, visible at first, may become
fused together and wholly lost to view in the latter part of the
curve. When the shocks succeed each other still more rapidly
(the second contraction beginning in the ascending portion of
the first), it becomes difficult or impossible to trace out any of
the single contractions.^ The curve then described by the lever
is of the kind shewn in Fig. 18, where the primary current of an
Fig. 18. Tetanus produced with the ordinary Magnetic Interruptor of an
Induction-machine. (Recording surface travelling slowly.)
The interrupted current is thrown in at a.
induction-machine was rapidly made and broken by the magnetic
interruptor. Fig. 5. The lever, it will be observed, rises at a (the
recording surface is travelling too slowly to allow the latent period
to be distinguished), at first very rapidly, — in fact, in an unbroken
and almost a vertical line, — and so very speedily reaches the maxi-
mum, which is maintained so long as the shocks continue to be
given ; when these cease to be given, the curve descends, at first
very rapidly, and then more and more gradually towards the base
line, which it reaches just at the end of the figure.
This condition of muscle, brought about by rapidly repeated
shocks, this fusion of a number of simple twitches into an
1 The ease with which the individual contractions can be made out depends in
part, it need hardly be said, on the rapidity with which the recording surface travels.
CiiAi'. II.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 83
apparently smooth, continuous effort, is known as tetanus, or
tetanic contraction. The above facts are most clearly shewn
when induction-shocks, or at least galvanic currents in some
form or other, are employed. They are seen, however, what-
ever be the form of stimulus employed. Thus, in the case of
mechanical stimuli, while a single quick blow may cause a single
twitch, a pronounced tetanus may be obtained by rapidly striking
successively fresh portions of a nerve. With chemical stimulation,
as when a nerve is dipped in acid, it is impossible to secure a
momentary application ; hence tetanus, generally irregular in
character, is the normal result of this mode of stimulation. In
the living body, the contractions of the skeletal muscles, brought
about either by the will or otherwise, are generally tetanic in
character. Even very short, sharp movements, such as a sudden
jerk of a limb, or a wink of the eyelid, are, in reality, examples of
tetanus of short duration.
If the lever, instead of being fastened to the tendon of a muscle
hung vertically, be laid across the belly of a muscle placed in a
horizontal position, and the muscle be thrown into tetanus by a
repetition of induction-shocks, it will be seen that each shortening
of the muscle is accompanied by a corresponding thickening, and
that the total shortening of the tetanus is accompanied by a cor-
responding total thickening. And, indeed, in tetanus we can
observe more easily than in a single contraction that the muscle in
contracting changes in form only, not in bulk. If a living muscle,
or group of muscles, be placed in a glass jar, or chamber, the closed
top of which is prolonged into a narrow glass tube, and the
chamber be so filled with water (or, preferably, with a solution of
sodium chloride, -6 p. c. in strength, usually called " normal saline
solution," which is less injurious to the tissue than simple water)
that the water rises up into the narrow tube, it is obvious that any
change in the bulk of the muscle will be easily shewn by a rising
or falling of the column of fluid in the narrow tube. It is found
that when the muscle is made to contract, even in the most
forcible manner, the change of level in the height of the column
which can be observed is practically insignificant : there appears
to be a fall indicating a diminution of bulk to the extent of about
one ten-thousandth of the total bulk of the muscle. So that we
may fairly say that in a tetanus, and hence in a simple contraction,
the lessening of the length of the muscle causes a corresponding
increase in the other directions : the substance of the muscle is
displaced not diminished.
§ 50. So far we have spoken simply of an induction-shock, or
of induction-shocks, without any reference to their strength, and
of a living or irritable muscle, without any reference to the degree
or extent of its irritability; but induction-shocks may vary in
strength, and the irritability of the muscle may vary.
If we slide the secondary coil a long way from the primary
84 VARIATIONS OF IRRITABILITY. [Book i.
coil, and thus make use of extremely feeble induction-shocks, we
shall probably find that these shocks, applied even to a quite fresh
muscle-nerve preparation, produce no contraction. If we then
gradually slide the secondary coil nearer and nearer the primary
coil, and keep on trying the effects of the shocks, we shall find
that, after a while, in a certain position of the coils, a very feeble
contraction makes its appearance. As the secondary coil comes
still nearer to the primary coil, the contractions grow greater and
greater. After a while, however, and that, indeed, in ordinary
circumstances very speedily, increasing the strength of the shock
no longer increases the height of the contraction; the maximum
contraction of which the muscle is capable with such shocks
however strong has been reached.
If we use a tetanizing or interrupted current, we shall obtain
the same general results ; we may, according to the strength of the
current, get no contraction at all, or contractions of various extent
up to a maximum, which cannot be exceeded. Under favourable
conditions the maximum contraction may be very considerable :
the shortening in tetanus may amount to three-fifths of the total
length of the muscle.
The amount of contraction then depends on the strength of
the stimulus, whatever be the stimulus ; but this holds good
within certain limits only ; to this point however we shall return
later on.
§ 61. If, having ascertained in a perfectly fresh muscle-nerve
preparation the amount of contraction produced by this and that
strength of stimulus, we leave the preparation by itself for some
time, say for a few hours, and then repeat the observations, we
shall find that stronger stimuli, stronger shocks, for instance, are
required to produce the same amount of contraction as before ; that
is to say, the irritability of the preparation, the power to respond
to stimuli, has in the meanwhile diminished. After a further
interval, we should find the irritability still further diminished :
even very strong shocks would be unable to evoke contractions
as large as those previously caused by weak shocks. At last we
should find that no shocks, no stimuli, however strong, were able
to produce any visible contraction whatever. The amount of
contraction, in fact, evoked by a stimulus depends not only on the
strength of the stimulus but also on the degree of irritability of
the muscle-nerve preparation.
Immediately upon removal from the body, the preparation
possesses a certain amount of irritability, not differing very
materially from that which the muscle and nerve possess while
within, and forming an integral part of the body ; but after re-
moval from the body the preparation loses irritability, the rate of
loss being dependent on a variety of circumstances ; and this goes
on until, since no stimulus which we can apply will give rise to
a contraction, we say the irritability has wholly disappeared.
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 85
We might take this disappearance of irritability as marking
the death of the preparation, but it is followed sooner or later by
a curious change in the muscle, which is called rigor mortis, and
which we shall study presently ; and it is convenient to regard
this rigor mortis as marking the death of the muscle.
The irritable muscle, then, when stimulated either directly, the
stimulus being applied to itself, or indirectly, the stimulus being
applied to its nerve, responds to the stimulus by a change of
form which is essentially a shortening and thickening. By the
shortening (and thickening), the muscle in contracting is able to
do work, to move the parts to which it is attached ; it thus sets
free energy. We have now to study more in detail how this
energy is set free and the laws which regulate its expenditure.
SEC. 2. ON THE CHANGES WHICH TAKE PLACE
IN A MUSCLE DUKING A CONTEACTION.
The Change in Form.
§ 52. Gross structure of muscle. An ordinary skeletal muscle
consists of elementary muscle fibres, bound together in variously
arranged bundles by connective tissue, which carries blood vessels,
nerves and lymphatics. The same connective tissue, besides sup-
plying a more or less distinct wrapping for the whole muscle, forms
the two ends of the muscle, being here sometimes scanty, as where
the muscle appears to be directly attached to a bone, and a small
amount only of connective tissue joins the muscular fibres to the
periosteum, sometimes abundant, as when the connective tissue,
in which the muscular fibres immediately end, is prolonged into
a tendon.
Each elementary fibre, which varies even in the mammal in
length and breadth (in the frog the dimensions vary very widely),
but may be said on an average to be 30 or 40 mm. in length
and 20 /a to 30 /x in breadth, consists of an elastic, homogeneous, or
faintly fibrillated sheath of peculiar nature, the sarcolemma, which
embraces and forms an envelope for the striated muscular substance
within. Each fibre, cylindrical in form, giving a more or less
circular outline in transverse section, generally tapers off at each
end in a conical form.
At each end of the fibre the sarcolemma, to which in life the
muscular substance is adherent, becomes continuous with fibrillse
of connective tissue, the nature and properties of which we shall
study in a succeeding chapter. When the end of the fibre lies at
the end of the muscle, these connective tissue fibrillte pass directly
into the tendon (or into the periosteum, &c.), and in some cases of
small muscles, which are no longer than their constituent fibres,
each fibre may thus join at each end of itself, by means of its
sarcolemma, the tendon or other ending of the muscle. In a very
large number of muscles however the muscle is far longer than
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 87
any of its fibres, and there may even be whole bundles of fibres in
the middle of the muscle which do not reach to either end. In
such case the connective tissue, in which the sarcolemma ends,
is continuous with the connective tissue, which, running between
the fibres and between the bundles, binds the fibres into small
bundles, and the smaller bundles into larger bundles.
The contraction of a muscle is the contraction of all, or some, of
its elementary fibres, the connective tissue being jjassive ; hence,
while those fibres of the muscle which end directly in the tendon,
in contracting pull directly on the tendon, those which do not so
end pull indirectly on the tendon, by means of the connective
tissue between the bundles, which connective tissue is continuous
with the tendon.
The blood vessels run in the connective tissue between the
bundles and between the fibres, and the capillaries form more or
less rectangular networks immediately outside the sarcolemma.
Lymphatic vessels also run in the connective tissue, in the lymph
spaces of which they begin ; the structure and functions of these
lymphatic vessels and lymph spaces we shall study later on. Each
muscular fibre is thus surrounded by lymph spaces and capillary
blood vessels, but the active muscular substance of the fibre is
separated from these by the sarcolemma; hence the interchange
between the blood and the muscular substance is carried on,
backwards and forwards, through the capillary wall, through some
of the lymph spaces, and through the sarcolemma.
Each muscle is supplied by one or more branches of nerves
composed of medullated fibres, with a certain proportion of non-
medullated fibres. These branches, running in the connective
tissue, divide into smaller branches and twigs between the bundles
and fibres. Some of the nerve fibres are distributed to the blood
vessels, and others end in a manner of which we shall speak later
on in treating of muscular sensations ; but by far the greater part
of the medullated fibres end in the muscular fibres, the arrange-
ment being such that every muscular fibre is supplied with at
least one medullated nerve fibre, which joins the muscular fibre
somewhere about the middle, between its two ends, or sometimes
nearer one end, in a special nerve ending, of which we shall
presently have to speak, called an end-plate. The nerve fibres
thus destined to end in the muscular fibres divide as they enter
the muscle, so that what, as it enters the muscle, is a single
nerve fibre, may, by dividing, end as several nerve fibres in several
muscular fibres. Sometimes two nerve fibres join one muscular
fibre, but in this case the end-plate of each nerve fibre is still at
some distance from the end of the muscular fibre. It follows
that when a muscular fibre is stimulated by means of a nerve fibre,
the nervous impulse travelling down the nerve fibre falls into the
muscular fibre, — not at one end, but at about its middle ; it is the
middle of the fibre which is affected first by the nervous impulse,
88 THE WAVE OF CONTRACTION. [Book i.
and the changes in the muscular substance, started in the middle
of the muscular fibre, travel thence to the two ends of the fibre.
In an ordinary skeletal muscle, however, as we have said, the
fibres and bundles of fibres begin and end at different distances
from the ends of the muscle, and the nerve or nerves going to
the muscle divide and spread out in the muscle in such a way
that the end-plates, in which the individual fibres of the nerve
end, are distributed widely over the muscle at very different
distances from the ends of the muscle. Hence, if we suppose
a single nervous impulse, such as that generated by a single
induction-shock, or a series of such impulses, to be started at
the same time at some part of the trunk of the nerve, in each of
the fibres of the nerve going to the muscle, these impulses will
reach very different parts of the muscle at about the same time,
and the contractions which they set going will begin, so to speak,
nearly all over the whole muscle at the same time, and will not all
start in any particular zone or area of the muscle.
§ 53. The wave of contraction. We have seen, however, that
under the influence of urari the nerve fibre is unable to excite
contractions in a muscular fibre, although the irritability of the
muscular fibre itself is retained. Hence, in a muscle poisoned by
urari, the contraction begins at that part of the muscular substance
which is first affected by the stimulus, and we may start a con-
traction in what part of the muscle we please by properly placing
the electrodes.
Some muscles, such, for instance, as the sartorius of the frog,
though of some length, are composed of fibres which run parallel
to each other from one end of the muscle to the other. If such a
muscle be poisoned with urari so as to eliminate the action of the
nerves, and stimulated at one end (an induction-shock sent through
a pair of electrodes placed at some little distance apart from each
other at the end of the muscle may be employed, but better
results are obtained if a mode of stimulation, of which we shall
have to speak presently, viz. the application of the " constant cur-
rent," be adopted), the contraction which ensues starts from the
end stimulated, and travels thence along the muscle. If two
levers be made to rest on, or be suspended from, two parts of such
a muscle placed horizontally, the parts being at a known distance
from each other and from the part stimulated, the progress of the
contraction may be studied.
The movements of the levers indicate in this case the thicken-
ing of the fibres which is taking place at the parts on which
the levers rest, or to which they are attached ; and if we take
a graphic record of these movements, bringing the two levers to
mark, one immediately below the other, we shall find that the
lever nearer the part stimulated begins to move earlier, reaches its
maximum earlier, and returns to rest earlier than does the farther
lever. The contraction, started by the stimulus, in travelling along
Chap, ii.] THE CONTKACTILE TISSUES. 89
the muscle from the part stimulated, reaches the nearer lever some
little time before it reaches the farther lever, and has passed by
the nearer lever some little time before it has passed by the
farther lever ; and the fartlier apart the two levers are, the greater
will be the difference in time between their movements. In other
words, the contraction travels along the muscle in the form of a
wave, each part of the muscle in succession from the end
stimulated swelling out and shortening as the contraction reaches
it, and then returning to its original state. And what is true of
the collection of parallel fibres, which we call the muscle, is also
true of each fibre, for the swelling at any part of the muscle is
only the sum of the swelling of the individual fibres ; if we were
able to take a single long fibre, and stimulate it at one end, we
should be able, under the microscope, to see a swelling or bulging,
accompanied by a corresponding shortening, — i. e. to see a con-
traction sweep along the fibre from end to end.
If, in the graphic record of the two levers just mentioned,
we count the number of vibrations of the tuning-fork which
intervene between the mark on the record which indicates the
beginning of the rise of the near lever (that is, the arrival of the
contraction wave at this lever), and the mark which indicates the
beginning of the rise of the far lever, this will give us the time
which it has taken the contraction wave to travel from the near to
the far lever. Let us suppose this to be -005 sec. Let us suppose
the distance between the two levers to be 15 mm. The con-
traction wave then has taken -005 sec. to travel 15 mm. ; that is
to say, it has travelled at the rate of 3 meters per sec. And, indeed,
we find by this, or by other methods, that in the frog's muscles the
contraction wave does travel at a rate which may be put down as
from 3 to 4 meters a second, though it varies under different con-
ditions. In the warm blooded mammal the rate is somewhat
greater, and may probably be put down at five meters a second
in the excised muscle, rising possibly to ten meters in a muscle
within the living body.
If, again, in the graphic record of the two levers we count, in
the case of either lever, the number of vibrations of the tuning-
fork which intervene between the mark where the lever begins to
rise and the mark where it has finished its fall and returned to the
base line, we can measure the time intervening between the
contraction wave reaching the lever, and leaving the lever on its
way onward ; that is to say, we can measure the time which it has
taken the contraction wave to pass over the part of the muscle on
which the lever is resting. Let us suppose this time to be, say,
•1 sec. But a wave which is travelling at the rate of 3 m. a
second and takes 1 sec. to pass over any point must be 300 mm.
long. And, indeed, we find that in the frog the length of the
contraction wave may be put down as varying from 200 to
400 mm. ; and in the mammal it is not very different.
Now, as we have said, the very longest muscular fibre is stated
90 THE WAVE OF CONTEACTION. [Book i.
to be at most only about 40 mm. in length ; hence, in an ordinary
contraction, during the greater part of the duration of the con-
traction the whole length of the fibre will be occupied by the
contraction wave. Just at the beginning of the contraction there
will be a time when the front of the contraction wave has reached,
for instance, only half-way down the fibre (supposing the stimulus
to be applied, as in the case we have been discussing, at one end
only), and just at the end of the contraction there will be a time,
for instance, when the contraction has left the half of the fibre
next to the stimulus, but has not yet cleared away from the other
half. But nearly all the rest of the time every part of the fibre
will be in some phase or other of contraction, though the parts
nearer the stimulus will be in more advanced phases than the
parts farther from the stimulus.
This is true when a muscle of parallel fibres is stimulated
artificially at one end of the muscles, and when, therefore, each
fibre is stimulated at one end. It is, of course, all the more true
when a muscle of ordinary construction is stimulated by means of
its nerve. The stimulus of the nervous impulse impinges, in this
case, on the muscle fibre at the end-plate which, as we have said,
is placed towards the middle of the fibre, and the contraction
wave travels from the end-plate in opposite directions toward
each end, and has, accordingly, only about half the length of the
fibre to run in. All the more, therefore, must the whole fibre be
in a state of contraction at the same time.
It will be observed that in what has just been said the
contraction wave has been taken to include not only the con-
traction proper, the thickening and shortening, but also the
relaxation and return to the natural form ; the first part of the
wave, up to the summit of the crest, corresponds to the shortening
and thickening, the decline from the summit onwards corresponds
to the relaxation. But we have already insisted that the relax-
ation is an essential part of the whole act, — indeed, in a certain
sense, as essential as the shortening itself.
§ 54. Minute structure of muscular fibre. So far we have
been dealing with the muscle as a whole and as observed with
the naked eye, though we have incidentally spoken of fibres.
We have now, confining our attention exclusively to skeletal
muscles, to consider what microscopic changes take place during
a contraction, what are the relations of the histological features
of the muscle fibre to the act of contraction.
The long, cylindrical sheath of sarcolemma is occupied by
muscle substance. After death the muscle-substance may separate
from the sarcolemma, leaving the latter as a distinct sheath, but
during life the muscle-substance is adherent to the sarcolemma,
so that no line of separation between the two can be made out ;
the movements of the one follow exactly all the movements of the
other.
Scattered in the muscle-substance, but, in the mammal, lying
Chap, it.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 91
for the most part close under the sarcolemma, are a number of
nuclei, oval in shape with their long axes parallel to the length of
the fibre. Around each nucleus is a thin layer of granular looking
substance, very similar in appearance to that forming the body of
a white blood corpuscle, and like that often spoken of as un-
differentiated protoplasm. A small quantity of the same granular
substance is prolonged for some distance, as a narrow conical
streak from each end of the nucleus, along the length of the fibre.
With the exception of these nuclei with their granular looking
bed and the end-plate or end-plates, to be presently described, all
the rest of the space enclosed by the sarcolemma from one end of
the fibre to the other appears to be occupied by a peculiar material,
striated muscle-substance.
It is called striated because it is marked out, and that along
the whole length of the fibre, by transverse bands, stretching right
across the fibre, of substance which is very transparent, hright sub-
stance, alternating with similar bands of substance which has a dim
cloudy appearance, dim substance ; that is to say the fibre is marked
out along its whole length by alternative bright bands and dim
hands. The bright bands are on an average about 1 yu. or 1'5 /a and
the dim bands about 2-5 /x or 3 yn thick. By careful focussing, both
bright bands and dim bands may be traced through the whole
thickness of the fibre, so that the whole fibre appears to be com-
posed of bright discs and dim discs placed alternately, one upon
the other, along the whole length of the fibre, the arrangement
being broken by the end-plate, and here and there by the nuclei.
When a muscular fibre is treated with dilute mineral acids,
it is very apt to break up transversely into discs, the sarcolemma
being dissolved, or so altered as easily to divide into fragments
corresponding to the discs ; and a disc may thus be obtained so
thin as to comprise only a single dim or bright band, or a band
dim or bright, with a thin layer of bright or dim substance above
and below it, the cleavage having taken place along the middle of
a band.
When treated with certain reagents, alcohol, chromic acid, &c.,
the fibre is very apt to split up (and the splitting up may be
assisted by " teasing ") longitudinally into columns of variable
thickness, some of which, however, may be exceedingly thin, and
are then sometimes spoken of as ' fibrillar.' Both these discs and
fibrillffi are artificial products, the results of a transverse or
longitudinal cleavage of the dead, hardened, or otherwise prepared
muscle-substance. They may, moreover, be obtained in almost
any thickness -or thinness, and these discs and fibrillin do not by
themselves prove much beyond the fact that the fibre tends to
cleave in the two directions.
The living fibre, however, though at times quite glassy looking,
the bright bands appearing like transparent glass and the dim
bands like ground glass, is at other times marked with longitudinal
92 MINUTE STRUCTUEE OF MUSCLE. [Book i.
lines giving rise to a longitudinal striation, sometimes conspicuous
and occasionally obscuring the transverse striation. In the muscles
of some insects each dim band has a distinct palisade appearance,
as if made up of a number of ' fibrillse,' or ' rods,' placed side by
side and imbedded in some material of a different nature ; more-
over, these fibrill* or rods may, with greater difficulty, be traced
through the bright, bands, and that at times along the whole
length of the fibre. And there is a great deal of evidence, into
which we cannot enter here, which goes to prove that in all
striated muscle, mammalian muscle included, the muscle-substance
is really composed of longitudinally placed natural fibrillar of a
certain nature, imbedded in an interfilrillar substance of a different
nature. In mammalian muscle and vertebrate muscle generally,
these fibrillse are exceedingly thin, and in most cases are not
sharply defined by optical characters from their interfibrillar bed ;
in insect muscles, and some other muscles, they are relatively large,
well defined and conspicuous. The artificial fibrillae obtained by
teasing may, perhaps, in some cases where they are exceedingly
thin correspond to these natural fibrilhe, but in the majority of
cases they certainly do not.
In certain insect muscles each bright band has in it two (or
sometimes more) dark lines which are granular in appearance and
may be resolved by adequate magnifying power into rows of
granules. Since they may by focussing be traced through the
whole thickness of the fibre, the lines are the expression of discs.
Frequently the lines in the bright bands are so conspicuous as to
contribute a greater share to the transverse striation of the fibre
than do the dim bands. Similar granular lines (rows or rather
discs of granules), may also be seen, though less distinctly, in-
vertebrate, including mammalian, muscle.
Besides these granular lines whose position in the bright band
is near to the dim bands, often appearing to form, as it were, the
upper edge of the dim band below and the lower edge of the dim
band above, there may be also sometimes traced another transverse
thin line, in the very middle of the bright band. This line, like the
other lines (or bands), is the expression of a disc, and has been held
by some observers to represent a membrane stretched across the
whole thickness of the fibre, and adherent at the circumference
with the sarcolemma ; in this sense it is spoken of as Krause's
TYierrhbrane. The reasons for believing that the line really repre-
sents a definite membrane do not, however, appear to be adequate.
It may be spoken of as the " intermediate line."
When a thin transverse section of frozen muscle is examined
quite fresh under a high power, the muscle-substance within the
sarcolemma is seen to be marked out into a number of small, more
or less polygonal areas, and a similar arrangement into areas may
also be seen in transverse sections of prepared muscle, though the
features of the areas are somewhat different from those seen in the
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 93
fresh, living fibre. These areas are spoken of as " Cohnheim's
areas ; " they are very much Larger than the diameter of a fibrilla
as indicated by the h)ngitudinal striation, and, indeed, correspond
to a whole bundle of such fibrilhe. Their existence seems to
indicate that the fibrilla; are arranged in longitudinal prisms,
separated from each other by a larger amount of interfibrillar
substance than that uniting together the individual fibrilhe form-
ing each prism.
Lastly, it may be mentioned that not only are the various
granular lines at times visible with difficulty, or quite invisible, but
that even the distinction between dim and bright bands is on
occasion very faint or obscure, the whole muscle-substance, apart
from the nuclei, appearing almost homogeneous.
Without attempting to discuss the many and various interpre-
tations of the above and other details concerning the minute
structure of striated muscular fibre, we may here content ourselves
with the following general conclusions.
(1) That the muscle-substance is composed of longitudinally
disTposedJih'illce (probably cylindrical in general form, and probably
arranged in longitudinal prisms) imbedded in an interfibrillar
substance, which appears to be less differentiated than the fibrillse
themselves, and which is probably continuous with the undifferen-
tiated protoplasm round the nuclei. The interfibrillar substance
stains more readily with gold chloride than do the fibrillte, and
hence, in gold chloride, specimens appear as a sort of meshwork,
with longitudinal spaces corresponding to the fibrillae.
(2) That the interfibrillar substance is, relatively to the fibrillre,
more abundant in the muscles of some animals than in those
of others : being, for instance, very conspicuous in the muscles
of insects, in which animals we should naturally expect the less
differentiated material to be more plentiful than in the muscles of
the more highly developed mammal.
(3) That the fibrillte and interfibrillar substance having dif-
ferent refractive powers, some of the optical features of muscle may
be due, on the one hand, to the relative proportion of fibrillar to
interfibrillar substance, and on the other hand to the fibrillae not
being cylindrical throughout the length of the fibre, but constricted
at intervals, and thus becoming beaded or moniliform. For in-
stance, the rows of granules spoken of above are by some regarded
as corresponding to aggregations of interfibrillar material filling
up the spaces where the fibrilhe are most constricted. And,
indeed, some authors maintain that the whole striation is simply
an optical effect due to the disposition of the surface of the fibre.
It does not seem possible at the present time to make any
statement which will satisfactorily explain all the various appear-
ances met with.
§ 55. We may now return to the question, What happens
when a contraction wave sweeps over the fibre ?
94 MICROSCOPIC CHANGES. [Book i.
Muscular fibres may be examined, even under high powers of the
microscope, wliile they are yet living and contractile ; the contrac-
tion itself may be seen, but the rate at which the wave travels is
too rapid to permit satisfactory observations being made as to the
minute changes which accompany the contraction. It frequently
happens, however, that when living muscle has been treated with
certain reagents, as, for instance, with osmic acid vapour, and sub-
sequently prepared for examination, fibres are found in which a
bulging, a thickening and shortening, over a greater or less part of
the length of the fibre, has been fixed by the osmic acid or other
reagent. Such a bulging obviously differs from a normal contraction
in being confined to a part of the length of the fibre, whereas, as
we have said, a normal wave of contraction, being very much longer
than any fibre, occupies the whole length of the fibre at once. We
may, however, regard this bulging as a very short, a very abbre-
viated wave of contraction, and assume that the changes visible in
such a short bulging also take place in a normal contraction.
Admitting this assumption, we learn from such preparations
that in the contracting region of the fibre, while both dim and
bright bands become broader across the fibre, and correspondingly
thinner along the length of the fibre, a remarkable change takes
place between the dim bands, bright bands, and granular lines.
We have seen that in the fibre at rest the intermediate line in
the bright band is in most cases inconspicuous ; in the contracting
fibre, on the contrary, a dark line in the middle of the bright
band in the position of the intermediate line becomes very distinct.
As we pass along the fibre from the beginning of the contraction
wave, to the summit of the wave, where the thickening is greatest,
this line becomes more and more striking, until at the height
of the contraction, it becomes a very marked dark line, or thin
'dark band. Pari passu with this change, the distinction between
the dim and bright bands becomes less and less marked ; these
appear to become confused together, until, at the height of the
contraction, the whole space between each two now conspicuous
dark lines is occupied by a substance which can be called neither
dim nor bright, but which, in contrast to the dark line, appears
more or less bright and transparent. So that in the contracting
part there is, at the height of the contraction, a reversal of the
state of things proper to the part at rest. The place occupied
by the bright band, in the state of rest, is now largely filled by
a conspicuous dark line, which previously was represented by the
inconspicuous intermediate line, and the place occupied by the
conspicuous dim band of the fibre, at rest, now seems by com-
parison with the dark line the brighter part of the fibre. The
contracting fibre is like the fibre at rest striated, but its striation
is different in its nature from the natural striation of the resting
fibre ; and it is held by some that in the earlier phases of the
contraction, while the old natural striation is being replaced
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 95
by the new striation, there is a stage in which all striation
is lost.
We may add that the outline of the sarcolemnia, which in the
fibre at rest is quite even, becomes, during the contraction, indented
opposite the intermediate line, and bulges out in the interval
between each two intermediate lines, the bulging and indentation
becoming more marked the greater the contraction.
§ 56. We can learn something further about this remarkable
change by examining the fibre under polarized light.
When ordinary light is sent through a Nicol prism (which is a
rhomb of Iceland spar divided into two in a certain directioji, tlie
halves being subsequently cemented together in a special way), it
undergoes a change in passing through the prism and is said to be
polarized. One effect of this polarization is that a ray of light which
has passed througli one Nicol prism will or will not pass through a
second Nicol, according to the relative position of the two prisms.
Thus, if the second Nicol be so placed that what is called its " optic
axis" be in a line with or parallel to the optic axis of the first Nicol,
the light passing through the first Nicol will also pass through the
second. But if the second Nicol be rotated until its optic axis is at
right angles with the optic axis of the first Nicol, none of the light
passing through the former will pass through the latter ; the prisms
in this position are said to be ' crossed.' In intermediate positions
more or less light passes through the second Nicol, according to the
angle between the two optic axes.
Hence when one Nicol is placed beneath the stage of a microscope
so that the light from the mirror is sent through it, and another Nicol
is placed in the eye-piece, the field of the microscope will appear dark
when the eye-piece Nicol is rotated so that its optic axis is at
right angles to the optic axis of the lower Nicol, and, consequently,
the light passing through the lower Nicol is stopped by it. If, however,
the optic axis of the eye-piece Nicol be parallel to that of the lower
Nicol, the light from the latter will pass through the former, and the
field will be bright; and, as the eye-piece is gradually rotated from one
position to the other, the brightness of the field will diminish or
increase.
Both the Nicols are composed of doubly refractive material. If
now a third doubly refractive material be placed on the stage, and,
therefore, between the two Nicols, the light passing through the lower
Nicol will (in a certain position of the doubly refractive material on
the stage, that is to say, when its optic axes have a certain position)
pass through it, and also through the crossed Nicol in the eye-piei-e.
Hence the doubly refractive material on the stage (or such parts of it
as are in the proper position in respect to their optic axes) will, when
the eye-piece Nicol is crossed, ap[)ear illuminated and bright on a dark
field. In this way the existence of doubly . refractive material in a
preparation may be detected.
When muscle prepared and mounted in Canada balsam is
examined in the microscope between Nicol prisms, one on the
96 MUSCLE UNDER POLAEIZED LIGHT. [Book i.
stage below the object, and the other in the eye-piece, the fibres
stand out as bright objects on the dark ground of the field when
the axes of the prisms are crossed. On closer examination it is
seen that the parts which are bright are chiefly the dim bands.
This indicates that it is the dim bands which are doubly refractive,
anisotropic, or are chiefly made up of anisotropic substance ; there
seems, however, to be some slight amount of anisotropic substance
in the bright bands though these as a whole appear singly refrac-
tive or isotropic. The fibre accordingly appears banded or striated
with alternate bands of anisotropic and isotropic material. Accord-
ing to most authors, such an alternation of anisotropic and (chiefly)
isotropic bands which is obvious in a dead and prepared fibre
exists also in the living fibre ; but some maintain that the living
fibre is uniformly anisotropic.
ISTow, when a fibre contracts, in spite of the confusion previously
mentioned between dim and bright bands, there is no confusion
between the anisotropic and isotropic material. The anisotropic,
doubly refractive bands, bright under crossed Nicols, occupying
the position of the dim band in the resting fibre, remain doubly
refractive, bright under crossed Nicols, even at the very height of
the contraction. The isotropic, singly refractive, bands, dark
under crossed Nicols, occupying the position of the bright bands
in the fibre at rest, remain isotropic and dark under crossed Nicols,
at the very height of the contraction. All that can be seen is
that the singly refractive isotropic bands become very thin indeed
during the contraction, while the anisotropic bands, though, of
course, becoming thinner and broader in the contraction, do not
become so thin as do the isotropic bands ; in other words, while
both bands become thinner and broader, the doubly refractive
anisotropic band seems to increase at the expense of the singly
refractive isotropic band.
§ 57. We call attention to these facts because they shew how
complex is the act of contraction. The mere broadening and
shortening of each section of the fibre is, at bottom, a translocation
of the molecules of the muscle-substance. If we imagine a com-
pany of 100 soldiers ten ranks deep, with ten men in each rank,
rapidly, and yet by a series of gradations, to extend out into a
double line with 50 men in each line, we shall have a rough image
of the movement of the molecules during a muscular contraction.
But, from what has been said, it is obvious that the movement, in
striated muscle at least, is a very complicated one ; in other forms
of contractile tissue it may be, as we shall see, more simple. Why
the movement is so complicated in striated muscle, what purposes
it serves, why the skeletal muscles are striated, we do not at present
know. Apparently, where swift and rapid contraction is required,
the contractile tissue is striated muscle ; but how the striation
helps, so to speak, the contraction we do not know. We cannot say
what share in the act of contraction is to be allotted to the several
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 97
parts. Since during a contraction the fibre bulges out more opposite
to each dim disc, and is indented opposite to each bright disc, since
the dim disc is more largely composed of anisotropic material than
the rest of the fibre, and since the anisotropic material in the
position of the dim disc increases during a contraction, we might,
perhaps, infer that the dim disc rather than the bright disc is the
essentially active part. Assuming that the fibrillar substance is
more abundant in the dim discs, while the interfibrillar substance
is more abundant in the bright discs, and that the fibrillar sub-
stance is anisotropic (and hence the dim discs largely anisotropic),
while the interfibrillar substance is isotropic, we might also be
inclined to infer it is the fibrillar and not the interfibrillar sub-
stance which really carries out the contraction; but even this
much is not yet definitely proved.
One thing must be remembered. The muscle-substance, though
it possesses the complicated structure, and goes through the re-
markable changes which we have described, is, while it is living
and intact, in a condition which we are driven to speak of as
semifluid. The whole of it is essentially mobile. The very act of
contraction indeed shews this ; but it is mobile in the sense that no
part of it, except, of course, the nuclei and sarcolemma, neither dim
nor bright substance, neither fibrillar nor interfibrillar substance
can be regarded as a hard and fast structure. A minute nema-
toid worm has been seen wandering in the midst of the substance
of a living contractile fibre ; as it moved along, the muscle sub-
stance gave way before it, and closed up again behind it, dim bands
and bright bands all falling back into their proper places. We
may suppose that in this case the worm threaded its way in a
fluid interfibrillar substance between and among highly extensible
and elastic fibrillae. But even on such a view, and still more on
the view that the fibrillar substance also was broken and closed
up again, the maintenance of such definite histological features, as
those which we have described, in material so mobile can only be
effected, even in the fibre at rest, at some considerable expenditure
of energy ; which energy, it may be expected, has a chemical source.
During the contraction there is a still further expenditure of energy,
some of which, as we have seen, may leave the muscle as ' work
done ; ' this energy likewise may be expected to have a chemical
source. We must therefore now turn to the chemistry of muscle.
Tlie Chemistry of Muscle.
§ 58. We said, in the Introduction, that it was difiicult to
make out with certainty the exact chemical differences between
dead and living substance. Muscle, however, in dying, undergoes
a remarkable chemical change, which may be studied with com-
parative ease. We have already said that all muscles, within a
certain time after removal from the body, or, if still remaining part
^8 CHEMISTRY OF MUSCLE. [Book i.
■of the body, within a certain time after ' general ' death of the
body, lose their irritability, and that the loss of irritability, which,
■even when rapid, is gradual, is succeeded by an event which is
somewhat more sudden, viz. the entrance into the condition known
as rigor mortis. The occurrence of rigor mortis, or cadaveric rigidity,
as it is sometimes called, which may be considered as the token of
the death of the muscle, is marked by the following features. The
living muscle possesses a certain translucency, the rigid muscle is
distinctly more opaque. The living muscle is very extensible and
elastic, it stretches readily and to a considerable extent when a
weight is hung upon it, or when any traction is applied to it, but
speedily and, under normal circumstances, completely returns to
its original length when the weight or traction is removed ; as we
shall see, however, the rapidity and completeness of the return
depends on the condition of the muscle, a well-nourished, active
muscle regaining its normal length much more rapidly and com-
pletely than a tired and exhausted muscle. A dead, rigid muscle
is much less extensible, and at the same time much less elastic ;
the muscle now requires considerable force to stretch it, and when
the force is removed, does not, as before, return to its former
length. To the touch the rigid muscle has lost much of its former
softness, and has become firmer and more resistant. The entrance
into rigor mortis is, moreover, accompanied by a shortening or
contraction, which may, under certain circumstances, be con-
siderable. The energy of this contraction is not great, so that any
actual shortening is easily prevented by the presence of even a
slight opposing force.
Now, the chemical features of the dead, rigid muscle are also
strikingly different from those of the living muscle.
§ 59. If a dead muscle, from which all fat, tendon, fascia, and
connective tissue have been as much as possible removed, and
which has been freed from blood by the injection of 'normal' saline
solution, be minced and repeatedly washed with water, the washings
will contain certain forms of albumin, and certain extractive bodies,
of which we shall speak directly. When the washing has been
continued until the wash-water gives no proteid reaction, a large
portion of muscle will still remain undissolved. ■ If this be treated
with a 10 p.c. solution of a neutral salt, ammonium chloride being
the best, a large portion of it will become dissolved ; the solution,
however, is more or less imperfect, and filters with difficulty. If the
filtrate be allowed to fall, drop by drop, into a large quantity of
distilled water, a white, flocculent matter will be precipitated.
^This flocculent precipitate is myosin. Myosin is a proteid, giving
the ordinary proteid reactions, and having the same general
elementary composition as other proteids. It is soluble in dilute
saline solutions, especially those of ammonium chloride, and may
be classed in the globulin family, though it is not so soluble as
paraglobulin, requiring a stronger solution of a neutral salt to
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 99
dissolve it; thus while soluble in a 5 or 10 p.c. solution of such a
salt, it is far less soluble in a 1 p.c. solution, which, as we have
seen, readily dissolves paraglobulin. From its solutions in neutral
saline solution it is precipitated by saturation with a neutral
salt, preferably sodium chloride, and may be purified by being
washed with a saturated solution, dissolved again in a weaker
solution, and reprecipitated by saturation. Dissolved in saline
solutions, it readily coagulates when heated, i.e. is converted into
coagulated proteid, and it is worthy of notice that it coagulates
at a comparatively low temperature, viz. about 56° C. ; this, it will
be remembered, is the temperature at which fibrinogen is co-
agulated, whereas paraglobulin, serum albumin, and many other
proteids do not coagulate until a higher temperature, 75° C, is
reached. Solutions of myosin are precipitated by alcohol, and the
precipitate, as in the case of other proteids, becomes, by continued
action of the alcohol, altered into coagulated insoluble proteid.
We have seen that paraglobulin, and, indeed, any member of
the globulin group, is very readily changed by the action of dilute
acids into a body called acid albumin, characterised by not being
soluble either in water or in dilute saline solutions, but readily
soluble in dilute acids and alkalis, from its solutions in either of
which it is precipitated by neutralisation, and by the fact that the
solutions in dilute acids and alkalis are not coagulated by heat.
When, therefore, a globulin is dissolved in dilute acid, what takes
place is not a mere solution but a chemical change ; the globulin
cannot be got back fronl the solution, it has been changed into
acid-albumin. Similarly, when globulin is dissolved in dilute alkalis
it is changed into alkali albumin ; and, broadly speaking, alkali
albumin precipitated by neutralisation can be changed by solution
with dilute acids into acid albumin, and acid albumin by dilute
alkalis into alkali albumin.
Now, myosin is similarly, and even more readily than is
globulin, converted into acid albumin, and by treating a muscle,
either washed or not, directly with dilute hydrochloric acid, the
myosin may be converted into acid albumin and dissolved out.
Acid albumin obtained by dissolving muscle in dilute acid used to
be called syntonin, and it used to be said that a muscle contained
syntonin ; the muscle, however, contains myosin, not syntonin, hut
it may be useful to retain the word syntonin to denote acid albumin
obtained by the action of dilute acid on myosin. By the action
of dilute alkalis, myosin may similarly be converted into alkali
albumin.
From what has been stated above, it is obvious that myosin has
many analogies with fibrin, and we have yet to mention other
striking analogies ; it is, however, much more soluble than fibrin,
and, speaking generally, it may be said to be intermediate in its
character between fibrin and globulin. On keeping, and especially
on drying, its solubility is much diminished.
100 MUSCLE PLASMA. [Book i.
Of the substances which are left in washed muscle, from which
all the myosin has been extracted by ammonium chloride solution,
little is known. If washed muscle be treated directly with dilute
hydrochloric acid, a large part of the material of the muscle passes,
as we have said, at once into syntonin. The quantity of syntonin
thus obtained may be taken as roughly representing the quantity
of myosin previously existing, in the muscle. A more prolonged
action of the acid may dissolve out other proteids, besides myosin,
left after the washing. The portion insoluble in dilute hydro-
chloric acid consists, in part, of the gelatine yielding and other
substances of the sarcolemma, and of the connective and other
tissues between the bundles, of the nuclei of these tissues, and of
the fibres themselves, and, in part, possibly, of some portions of
the muscle substance itself. We are not, however, at present in a
position to make any very definite statement as to the relation of
the myosin to the structural features of muscle. Since the dim
bands are rendered very indistinct by the action of 10 p.c. sodium
chloride solution, we may perhaps infer that myosin enters largely
into the composition of the dim bands, and, therefore, of the
fibrillse ; but it would be hazardous to say much more than this.
§ 60. Living muscle may be frozen, and yet, after certain
precautions will, on being thawed, regain its irritability, or, at all
events, will for a time be found to be still living in the sense that
it has not yet passed into rigor mortis. We may, therefore, take
living muscle which has been frozen as still living.
If living contractile mtcscle, freed as much as possible from
blood, be frozen, and, while frozen, minced, and rubbed up in a
mortar with four times its weight of snow, containing 1 p.c. of
sodium chloride, a mixture is obtained which at a temperature
just below 0° C. is sufficiently fluid to be filtered, though with
difficulty. The slightly opalescent filtrate, or muscle plasma, as it
is called, is at first quite fluid, but will, when exposed to the
ordinary temperature, become a solid jelly, and afterwards separate
into a clot and serum. It will, in fact, clot like blood plasma,
with this difference, that the clot is not firm and fibrillar, but
loose, granular and flocculent. During the clotting, the fluid, which
before was neutral or slightly alkaline, becomes distinctly acid.
The clot is myosin. It gives all the reactions of myosin obtained
from dead muscle.
The serum contains an albumin very similar to, if not identical
with, serum albumin, a globulin differing somewhat from, and
coagulating at a lower temperature than paraglobulin, and which,
to distinguish it from the globulin of blood, has been called myo-
glohulin, some other proteids which need not be described here,
and various ' extractives ' of which we shall speak directly. Such
muscles as are red also contain a small quantity of haemoglobin, and
of another allied pigment, called histohcematin, to which pigments,
indeed, their redness is due.
Chap. II,] THE CONTKACTILE TISSUES. 101
Thus, while dead muscle contains myosin, albumin, and other
proteids, extractives, and certain insoluble matters, together with
gelatinous and other substances not referable to the muscle
substance itself, living muscle contains no myosin, but some
substance or substances which bear somewhat the same relation to
myosin that the antecedents of fibrin do to fibrin, and which give
rise to myosin upon the death of the muscle. There are indeed
reasons for thinking that the myosin arises from the conversion of
a previously existing body, which may be called myosinogen, and
that the conversion takes place, or may take place, by the action
of a special ferment, the conversion of myosinogen into myosin
being very analogous to the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin.
We may, in fact, speak of rigor mortis as characterised by a
clotting of the muscle plasma, comparable to the clotting of
blood plasma, but differing from it inasmuch as the product is not
fibrin but myosin. The rigidity, the loss of suppleness, and the
diminished translucency appear to be, at all events, largely, though
probably not wholly, due to the change from the fluid plasma to the
solid myosin. We might compare a living muscle to a number
of fine, transparent, membranous tubes containing blood plasma.
When this blood plasma entered into the ' jelly ' stage of clotting,
the system of tubes would present many of the phenomena of rigor
mortis. They would lose much of their suppleness and translucency,
and acquire a certain amount of rigidity.
§ 61. There is, however, one very marked and important
difference between the rigor mortis of muscle and the clotting
of blood. Blood during its clotting undergoes a slight change
only in its reaction ; but muscle during the onset of rigor mortis
becomes distinctly acid.
A living muscle at rest is in reaction neutral, or, possibly from
some remains of lymph adhering to it, faintly alkaline. If, on the
other hand, the reaction of a thoroughly rigid muscle be tested, it
will be found to be most distinctly acid. This development of an
acid reaction is witnessed not only in the solid, untouched fibre, but
also in expressed muscle plasma ; it seems to be associated in some
way with the appearance of the myosin.
The exact causation of this acid reaction has not at present
been clearly worked out. Since the coloration of the litmus pro-
duced is permanent, carbonic acid, which, as we shall immediately
state, is set free at the same time, cannot be regarded as the active
acid, for the reddening of litmus produced by carbonic acid speedily
disappears on exposure. On the other hand, it is possible to ex-
tract from rigid muscle a certain quantity of lactic acid, or rather
of a variety of lactic acid known as sarcolactic acid ^ ; and we may
probably regard the acid reaction of rigid muscle as due to a new
1 There are many varieties of lactic acid, which are isomeric, having the same
composition C3H5O3, but differ in their reactions and especially in the solubility of
their zinc salts. The variety present in muscle is distinguished as sarcolactic acid.
102 EIGOE MOETIS. [Book i.
formation, or to an increased formation of this sarcolactic acid.
There is reason, however, to think that the establishment of the
acid reaction is not a perfectly simple process, but a more or less
complex one, other substances besides sarcolactic acid intervening.
Coincident with the appearance of this acid reaction, though
as we have said, not the direct cause of it, a large development of
carbonic acid takes place when muscle becomes rigid. Irritable
living muscular substance, like all living substance, is continually
respiring, that is to say, is continually consuming oxygen and
giving out carbonic acid. In the body, the arterial blood going to
the muscle gives up some of its oxygen, and gains a quantity of
carbonic acid, thus becoming venous as it passes through the
muscle capillaries. Even after removal from the body, the living
muscle continues to take up from the surrounding atmosphere a
certain quantity of oxygen, and to give out a certain quantity of
carbonic acid.
At the onset of rigor mortis there is a very large and sudden
increase in this production of carbonic acid, in fact an outburst, as it
were, of that gas. This is a phenomenon deserving special attention,
Knowing that the carbonic acid, which is the outcome of the re-
spiration of the whole body, is the result of the oxidation of carbon-
holding substances, we might very naturally suppose that the
increased production of carbonic acid attendant on the development
of rigor mortis is due to the fact that during that event a certain
quantity of the carbon-holding constituents of the muscle are
suddenly oxidized. But such a view is negatived by the following
facts. In the first place, the increased production of carbonic acid
during rigor mortis is not accompanied by a corresponding in-
crease in the consumption of oxygen. In the second place, a
muscle (of a frog for instance) contains in itself no free or loosely
attached oxygen ; when subjected to the action of a mercurial air-
pump it gives off no oxygen to a vacuum, offering in this respect
a marked contrast to blood ; and yet, when placed in an atmosphere
free from oxygen, it will not only continue to give off carbonic
acid while it remains alive, but will also exhibit, at the onset of
rigor mortis, the same increased production of carbonic acid that
is shewn by a muscle placed in an atmosphere containing oxygen.
It is obvious that in such a case the carbonic acid does nob arise
from the direct oxidation of the muscle substance, for there is no
oxygen present at the tiTne to carry on that oxidation. We are
driven to suppose that, during rigor mortis, some complex body,
containing in itself ready formed carbonic acid, so to speak, is split
up, and thus carbonic acid is set free, the process of oxidation by
which that carbonic acid was formed out of the carbon-holding
constituents of the muscle having taken place at some anterior
date.
Living, resting muscle, then, is alkaline or neutral in reaction,
and the substance of its fibres contains a plasma capable of clotting.
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 103
Dead, rigid muscle on the other hand is acid in reaction, and no
longer contains a plasma capable of clotting, but is laden witli the
solid myosin. Further, the change from the living irritable con-
dition to that of rigor mortis is accompanied by a large and sudden
development of carbonic acid.
It is found, moreover, that there is a certain amount of parallel-
ism between the intensity of the rigor mortis, the degree of acid
reaction, and the quantity of carbonic acid given out. If we
suppose, as we fairly may do, that the intensity of the rigidity is
dependent on the quantity of myosin deposited in the fibres, and
the acid reaction to the development, if not of lactic acid, at least
of some other substance, the parallelism between the three products,
myosin, acid-producing substance, and carbonic acid, would suggest
the idea that all three are the results of the splitting-up of the
same highly complex substance. No one has at present, however,
succeeded in isolating or in otherwise definitely proving the exist-
ence of such a body, and though the idea seems tempting, it may
in the end prove totally erroneous.
§ 62. As to the other proteids of muscle, such as the albumin
and the globulin, we know as yet nothing definite concerning the
parts which they play, and the changes which they undergo in
the living muscle or in rigor mortis.
Besides the fat which is found, and that not unfrequently in
abundance, in the connective tissue between the fibres, there is
also present in the muscular substance within the sarcolemma,
always some, and at times a great deal, of fat, chiefly ordinary fat,
viz. stearin, palmitin, and olein, in variable proportion, but also
the more complex fat lecithin. As to the function of these several
fats in the life of the muscle we know little or nothing.
Carbohydrates, the third of the three great classes in which we
may group the energy-holding substances of which the animal
body and its food are alike composed, viz. proteids, fat and carbo-
hydrates, are represented in muscle by a peculiar body, glycogen,
which we shall have to study in detail later on. We must here
merely say that glycogen is a body closely allied to starch, having
a formula, which may be included under the general formula for
starches x (Ce H lo O5), and may like it be converted by the action of
acids, or, by the action of particular ferments known as amyluly tic
ferments, into some form of sugar, dextrose (CeHioOo), or some
allied sugar. Many, if not all, living muscles contain a certain
amount, and some, under certain circumstances, a considerable
amount of glycogen. During or after rigor mortis this glycogen is
very apt to be converted into dextrose, or an allied sugar. The
muscles of the embryo at an early stage contain a relatively
enormous quantity of glycogen, a fact which suggests that the
glycogen of muscle is carbohydrate food of the muscle about to be
wrought up into the living muscular substance.
The bodies which we have called extractives are numerous and
104 CHEMICAL CHANGES. [Book i.
varied. They are especially interesting since it seems probable
that they are waste products of the metabolism of the muscular
substance, and the study of them may be expected to throw light
on the chemical change which muscular substance undergoes during
life. Since, as we shall see, muscular substance forms by far the
greater part of the nitrogenous — that is, proteid — portion of the
body, the nitrogenous extractives of muscle demand peculiar atten-
tion. Now, the body urea, which we shall have to study in detail
later on, far exceeds in importance all the other nitrogenous extrac-
tives of the body as a whole, since it is practically the one form in
which nitrogenous waste leaves the body ; if we include with urea,
the closely allied uric acid (which for present purposes may simply
be regarded as a variety of urea), we may say broadly that all the
nitrogen taken in as food sooner or later leaves the body as urea ;
compared with this all other nitrogenous waste thrown out from
the body is insignificant. Of the urea which thus leaves the body,
a considerable portion must at some time or other have existed, or,
to speak more exactly, its nitrogen must have existed as the nitrogen
of the proteids of muscular substance. Nevertheless, no urea at all
is, in normal conditions, present in muscular substance either living
and irritable, or dead and rigid ; urea does not arise in muscular
substance itself as one of the immediate waste products of
muscular substance.
There is, however, always present, in relatively considerable
amount, on an average about '25 p.c. of wet muscle, a remarkable
body, kreatin. This is in one sense a compound of urea : it may
be split up into urea and sarcosin. This latter body is a methyl
glycin, that is to say, a glycin in which methyl has been sub-
stituted for hydrogen, and glycin itself is amido-acetic acid, a
compound of amidogen, that is a representative of ammonia, and
acetic acid. Hence kreatin contains urea, which has close relations
with ammonia, together with another representative of ammonia,
and a surplus of carbon and hydrogen arranged as a body belonging
to the fatty acid series. We shall have to return to this kreatin,
and to consider its relations to urea and to muscle, when we come
to deal with urine.
The other nitrogenous extractives, such as karnin, hypoxanthin
(or sarkin), xanthin, taurin, &c., occur in small quantity, and need
not be dwelt on here.
Among non-nitrogenous extractives, the most important is the
sarcolactic acid, of which we have already spoken ; to this may
be added sugar in some form or other, either coming from glycogen
or from some other source.
The ash of muscle, like the ash of the blood corpuscles, and,
indeed, the ash of the tissues in general, as distinguished from the
blood, or plasma, or lymph on which the tissues live, is character-
ised by the preponderance of potassium salts and of phosphates ;
these form in fact nearly 80 p.c. of the whole ash.
CiiAP. II.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 105
§ 63. We may now pass on to the question, What are the
chemical changes which take place when a living, resting muscle
enters into a contraction ? These changes are most evident after
the muscle has been subjected to a prolonged tetanus ; but there
can be no doubt that the chemical events of a tetanus are, like
the physical events, simply the sum of the results of the consti-
tuent single contractions.
In the first place, the muscle becomes acid, not so acid as in
rigor mortis, but still sufficiently so, after a vigorous tetanus, to
turn blue litmus distinctly red. The cause of the acid reaction,
like that of rigor mortis, is not quite clear, but is in all probability
the same in both cases.
In the second place, a considerable quantity of carbonic acid is
set free ; and the production of carbonic acid in muscular contrac-
tion resembles the production of carbonic acid during rigor mortis
in that it is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in
the consumption of oxygen. This is evident even in a muscle
through which the circulation of blood is still going on ; for though
the blood passing through a contracting muscle gives up more
oxygen than the blood passing through a resting muscle, the increase
in the amount of oxygen taken up falls below the increase in the
carbonic acid given out. But it is still more markedly shewn in a
muscle removed from the body ; for in such a muscle both the
contraction and the increase in the production of carbonic acid will
go on in the absence of oxygen. A frog's muscle, suspended in an
atmosphere of nitrogen, will remain irritable for some considerable
time, and at each vigorous tetanus an increase in the production
of carbonic acid may be readily ascertained.
Moreover, there seems to be a correspondence between the
energy of the contraction and the amount of carbonic acid and
the degree of acid reaction produced, so that, though we are now
treading on somewhat uncertain ground, we are naturally led to the
view that the essential chemical process, lying at the bottom of a
muscular contraction as of rigor mortis, is the splitting-up of some
highly complex substance. But here the resemblance between rigor
mortis and contraction ends. We have no satisfactory evidence of
the formation during a contraction of any body like myosin. And
this difference in chemical results tallies with an important physical
difference between rigid muscle and contracting muscle. The
rigid muscle, as we have seen, becomes less extensible, less elastic,
less translucent ; the contracting muscle remains no less trans-
lucent, elastic, and extensible than the resting muscle, — indeed,
there are reasons for thinking that the muscle in contracting
becomes actually more extensible for the time being.
But if, during a contraction, mvosin is not formed, what changes
of proteid or nitrogenous matter do take place ? We do not know.
We have no evidence that kreatin, or any other nitrogenous
extractive, is increased by the contraction of muscle ; we have no
106 THERMAL CHANGES. [Book i.
satisfactory evidence of any nitrogen waste at all as the result of a
contraction ; and, indeed, as we shall see later on, the study of the
waste products of the body as a whole leads us to believe that the
energy of the work done by the muscles of the body comes from
the potential energy of carbon compounds, and not of nitrogen
compounds at all. But to this point we shall have to return.
§ 64. We may sum up the chemistry of muscle somewhat as
follows : —
During life the muscular substance is continually taking up
from the blood, that is from the lymph, proteid, fatty and carbo-
hydrate material, saline matters and oxygen ; these it builds up
into itself, how, we do not know, and so forms the peculiar complex
living muscular substance. The exact nature of this living sub-
stance is unknown to us. What we do know is that it is largely
composed of proteid material, and that such bodies as myosinogen,
myoglobulin, and albumin, being always present in it, have
probably something to do with the building of it up.
During rest this muscular substance, while taking in and build-
ing itself up out of, or by means of, the above-mentioned materials,
is continually giving off carbonic acid, and continually forming
nitrogenous waste, such as kreatin. It also probably gives off some
amount of sarcolactic acid, and possibly other non-nitrogenous
waste matters.
During a contraction there is a great increase in the amount
of carbonic acid given off, an increased formation of lactic acid,
and possibly other changes giving rise to an acid reaction, a greater
consumption of oxygen, though the increase is not equal to the
increase of carbonic acid, but, as far as we can learn, no increase
of nitrogenous waste.
During rigor mortis, there is a similar increased production of
carbonic acid and of some other acid-producing substance, ac-
companied by a remarkable conversion of myosinogen into myosin,
by which the rigidity of the dead fibre is brought about.
Thermal Changes.
§ 65. The chemical changes during a contraction set free a
quantity of energy, but only a portion of this energy appears in
the ' work done ; ' a considerable portion takes on the form of heat.
Though we shall have hereafter to treat this subject more fully,
the leading facts may be given here.
Whenever a muscle contracts, its temperature rises, indicating
that heat is given out. When a mercury thermometer is plunged
into a mass of muscles, such as those of the thigh of the dog, a rise
of the mercury is observed upon the muscles being thrown into a
prolonged contraction. More exact results however are obtained
by means of a thermopile, by the help of which the rise of tempera-
Chap. ii.J THE GONTKACTILE TISSUES. 107
ture caused by a few repeated single contractions, or, indeed, by a
single contraction, may be observed, and the amount of heat given
out approximatively measured.
The thermopile may consist either of a single junction, in the form of
a needle plunged into the substance of the muscle ; or of several junctions
either in the shape of a flat surface carefully opposed to the surface of
muscle (the pile being balanced so as to move with the contracting
muscle, and thus to keep the contact exact), or in the shape of a thin
wedge, the edge of which, comprising the actual junctions, is thrust into
a mass of muscles and held in position by them. In all cases the fellow
junction 'or junctions must be kept at a constant temperature.
Another delicate method of determining the changes of temperature
of a tissue is based upon the measurement of alterations in electric
resistance which a fine wire, in contact with or plunged into the tissue,
undergoes as the temperature of the tissue changes.
It has been calculated that the heat given out by the muscles of
the thigh of a frog in a single contraction amounts to 3'1 micro-units
of heat ^ for each gramme of muscle, the result being obtained by
dividing by five the total amount of heat given out in five succes-
sive single contractions. It will, however, be safer to regard these
figures as illustrative of the fact that the heat given out is consider-
able rather than as data for elaborate calculations. Moreover, we
have no satisfactory quantitative determinations of the heat given
out by the muscles of warm blooded animals, though there can be
no doubt that it is much greater than that given out by the muscles
of the frog.
There can hardly be any doubt that the heat thus set free is
the product of chemical changes within the muscle, changes, which,
though they cannot, for the reasons given above (§ 63), be regarded
as simple and direct oxidations, yet, since they are processes
dependent on the antecedent entrance of oxygen into the muscle,
may be spoken of in general terms as a combustion. So that the
muscle may be likened to a steam-engine, in which the combus-
tion of a certain amount of material gives rise to the development
of energy in two forms, as heat and as movement, there being
certain quantitative relations between the amount of energy set
free as heat and that giving rise to movement. We must, however,
carefully guard ourselves against pressing this analogy too closely.
In the steam-engine, we can distinguish clearly between the fuel
which, through its combustion, is the sole source of energy, and the
machinery, which is not consumed to provide energy, and only
suffers wear and tear. In the muscle we cannot with certainty at
present make such a distinction. It may be that the chemical
changes at the bottom of a contraction do not involve the real
living material of the fibre, but only some substance, manufactured
by the living material and lodged in some way, we do not know
^ The micro-unit lieiuc; a jnilliirramnio of water raised one de2;ree eentiffrade.
108 THERMAL CHANGES. [Book i.
how, in the living material ; it may be that when a fibre contracts
it is this substance within the fibre which explodes, and not the fibre
itself. If we further suppose that this substance is some complex
compound of carbon and hydrogen, into which no nitrogen enters, we
shall have an explanation of the difficulty referred to above (§ 68),
namely, that nitrogenous waste is not increased by a contraction.
The special contractile, carbon-hydrogen substance may then be
compared to the charge of a gun, the products of its explosion
being carbonic and sarcolactic acids, while the real, living material
of the fibre may be compared to the gun itself ; but to a gun which
itself is continually undergoing change, far beyond mere wear and
tear, among the products of which change nitrogenous bodies like
kreatin are conspicuous. This view will certainly explain why
kreatin is not increased during the contraction while the carbonic
and lactic acids are. But it must be remembered that such a view
is not yet proved ; it may be the living material of the fibre as a
whole which is continually breaking down in an explosive decom-
position, and as continually building itself up again out of the
material supplied by the blood.
In a steam-engine only a certain amount of the total potential
energy of the fuel issues as work, the rest being lo'st as heat, the
proportion varying, but the work rarely, if ever, exceeding one-
' tenth of the total energy, and generally being less. In the case of
the muscle we are not at present in a position to draw up an exact
equation between the latent energy on the one hand and the two
forms of actual energy on the other. We have reason to think
that the proportion between heat and work varies considerably
under different circumstances, the work sometimes rising as high
as one-fifth, or, according to some, as high even as one-half, some-
times possibly sinking as low as one twenty-fourth of the total
energy ; and observations seem to shew that the greater the re-
sistance which the muscle has to overcome, the larger the proportion
of the total energy expended, which goes out as work done. The
muscle, in fact, seems to be so far self-regulatilig, that ^the more
work it has to do, the greater, within certain limits, is the economy
with which it works.
Lastly, it must be remembered that .the giving out of heat by
the muscle is not confined to the occasions when it is actually con-
tracting. When, at a later period, we treat of the heat of the body
generally, evidence will be brought forward that the muscles, even
when at rest, are giving rise to heat, so that the heat given out at
a contraction is not some wholly new phenomenon, but a temporary
exaggeration of what is continually going on at a more feeble
rate.
Electrical Changes.
§ 66. Besides chemical and thermal changes a remarkable
electric change takes place whenever a muscle contracts.
Guar II.] THE CONTKACTILE TISSUES. lO'J
Musc/e-currcnts. If a muscle be removed in an ordinary
manner from the body, and two non-polarisable electrodes/ con-
nected with a delicate galvanometer of many convolutions and
Fig. 19 Non-polarisable Electrodes.
a, the glass tube ; z, the amalgamated zinc slips connected with their respective
wires; s. s., the zinc sulphate solution; ch. c, the plug of china clay; c', the portion
of the china-clay plug projecting from the end of the tube this can be moulded into
any required form.
high resistance, be placed on two points of the surface of the
muscle, a deflection of the galvanometer will take place, indicating
the existence of a current passing through the galvanometer from
the one point of the muscle to the other, the direction and
amount of the deflection varying according to the position of the
points. The ' muscle-currents ' thus revealed are seen to the best
advantage when the muscle chosen is a cylindrical or prismatic
one with parallel fibres, and when the two tendinous ends are cut
off by clean incisions at right angles to the long axis of the muscle.
The muscle then presents a transverse section (artificial) at each
end, and a longitudinal surface. We may speak of the latter as
being divided into two equal parts by an imaginary transverse line
on its surface called the ' equator,' containing all the points of the
surface midway between the two ends. Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic
representation of such a muscle, the line ab being the equator. In
such a muscle the development of the muscle-currents is found to
be as follows.
' These (Fig. 19) consist essentially of a slip of tlmroughli/ amalgamated zinc
dipping into a saturated solution of zinc sulphate, wliicli, in turn, is brought into
connection with the nerve or muscle by means of a plug or bridge of cliina-clay,
moistened with normal sodium chloride solution , it is important that the zinc should
be thoroughly amalgamated. This form of electrodes gives rise to less polarisation
than do simple platinum or copper electrodes. The clay affords a connection be-
tween the zinc and the tissue which neither acts on tlie tissue nor is acted on by the
tissue. Contact of any tissue with copper or jdntinum is in itself sufficient to
develope a current.
110
MUSCLE CURRENTS.
[Book
The greatest deflection is observed when one electrode is placed
at the mid-point or equator of the muscle, and the other at either
cut end ; and the deflection is of such a kind as to shew that posi-
tive currents are continually passing from the equator through the
galvanometer to the cut end : that is to say, the cut end is negative
relatively to the equator. The currents outside the muscle may be
considered as completed by currents in the muscle from the cut end
to the equator. In the diagram Fig. 20, the arrows indicate the
Fig. 20. Diagram illustrating the Electric Currents of Nerve and Muscle.
Being purely diagrammatic, it may serve for a piece either of nerve or of muscle,
except that the currents at the transverse section cannot be shewn in a nerve. The
arrows shew the direction of the current through the galvanometer.
ab the equator. The strongest currents are those shewn by the dark lines, as
from a, at equator, to x or to y at the cut ends. The current from a to c is weaker
than from a to y, though both, as shewn by the arrows, have the same direction. A
current is shewn from e, which is near the equator, tof, which is farther from the
equator. The current (in muscle) from a point in the circumference to a point
nearer the centre of the transverse section is shewn at gh. From a to 6 or from
X to y there is no current, as indicated by the dotted lines.
direction of the currents. If the one electrode be placed at the
equator ab, the effect is the same at whichever of the two cut ends x
or y the other is placed. If, one electrode remaining at the equator,
the other be shifted from the cut end to a spot c nearer to the
equator, the current continues to have the same direction, but is of
less intensity in proportion to the nearness of the electrodes to each
other. If the two electrodes be placed at unequal distances e and /,
one on either side of the equator, there will be a feeble current from
the one nearer the equator to the one farther off, and the current
will be the feebler, the more nearly they are equidistant from the
equator. If they are quite equidistant, as, for instance, when one is
placed on one cut end x, and the other on the other cut end y, there
will be no current at all.
If one electrode be placed at the circumference of the transverse
section and the other at the centre of the transverse section, there
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. Ill
will be a current through the galvanometer from the former to
the latter ; there will be a current of similar direction but of less
intensity when one electrode is at the circumference g of the trans-
verse section, and the other at some point li nearer the centre of the
transverse section. In fact, the points which are relatively most
positive and most negative to each other are points on the equator
and the two centres of the transverse sections ; and the intensity of
the current between any two points will depend on the respective
distances of those points from the equator and from the centre of
the transverse section.
Similar currents may be observed when the longitudinal surface
is not the natural but an artificial one ; indeed they may be wit-
nessed in even a piece of muscle provided it be of cylindrical shape
and composed of parallel fibres.
These ' muscle-currents ' are not mere transitory currents dis-
appearing as soon as the circuit is closed ; on the contrary, they
last a very considerable time. They must, therefore, be maintained
by some changes going on in the muscle, by continued chemical
action in fact. They disappear as the irritability of the muscle
vanishes, and are connected with those nutritive, so-called vital
changes which maintain the irritability of the muscle.
Muscle-currents, such as have just been described, may, we re-
peat, be observed in any cylindrical muscle suitably prepared, and
similar currents, with variations which need not be discussed here,
may be seen in muscles of irregular shape with obliquely or other-
wise arranged fibres. And Du Bois-Eeymond, to whom chiefly we
are indebted for our knowledge of these currents, has been led to
regard them as essential and important properties of living muscle.
He has moreover advanced the theory that muscle may be con-
sidered as composed of electro-motive particles or molecules, each
of which, like the muscle at large, has a positive equator and nega-
tive ends, the whole muscle being made up of these molecules in
somewhat the same way (to use an illustration which must not,
however, be strained or considered as an exact one) as a magnet
may be supposed to be made up of magnetic particles, each with
its north and south pole.
There are reasons, however, for thinking that these muscle-
currents have no such fundamental origin, that they are in fact of
surface and indeed of artificial origin. Without entering into the
controversy on this question, the following important facts maybe
mentioned : —
1. When a muscle is examined while it still retains uninjured
its natural tendinous terminations, the currents are much weaker
than when artificial transverse sections have been made ; the
natural tendinous end is less negative than the cut surface. But
the tendinous end becomes at once negative when it is dipped
in water or acid, indeed, when it is in any way injured. The
less roughly, in fact, a muscle is treated the less evident are the
112 MUSCLE CUEEENTS. [Book i.
muscle-currents ; and it is maintained that if adequate care be
taken to maintain a muscle in an absolutely natural condition, no
such currents as those we have been describing exist at all, that
natural living muscle is isoelectric, as it is called.
2. The surface of the uninjured inactive ^ ventricle of the frog's
heart, which is practically a mass of muscle, is isoelectric, no current
is obtained when the electrodes are placed on any two points of the
surface. If, however, any part of the surface be injured, or if the
ventricle be cut across so as to expose a cut surface, the injured spot
or the cut surface becomes at once powerfully negative towards
the uninjured surface, a strong current being developed which passes
through the galvanometer from the uninjured surface to the cut
surface or to the injured spot. The negativity thus developed in
a cut surface passes off in the course of some hours, but may be
restored by making a fresh cut and exposing a fresh surface.
The temporary duration of the negativity after injury, and its
renewal upon fresh injury, in the case of the ventricle, in contrast
to the more permanent negativity of injured skeletal muscle, is
explained by the different structure of the two kinds of muscle.
The cardiac muscle, as we shall hereafter see, is composed of short
fibre-cells ; when a cut is made a certain number of these fibre-
cells are injured, giving rise to negativity, but the injury done to
them stops with them, and is not propagated to the cells with
which they are in contact ; hence, upon their death the negativity
and the current disappear. A fresh cut involving new cells, pro-
duces fresh negativity and a new current. In the long fibres of
the skeletal muscle, on the other hand, the effects of the injury
are slowly propagated along the fibre from the spot injured.
Now, when a muscle is cut or injured, the substance of the
fibres dies at the cut or injured surface. And many physiologists,
among whom the most prominent is Hermann, have been led, by
the above and other facts, to the conclusion that muscle-currents
do not exist naturally in untouched, uninjured muscles, that the
muscular substance is naturally, when living, isoelectric, but that
whenever a portion of the muscular substance dies, it becomes
while dying negative to the living substance, and thus gives rise
to currents. They explain the typical currents (as they might be
called) manifested by a muscle with a natural longitudinal surface
and artificial transverse sections, by the fact that the dying cut
ends are negative relatively to the rest of the muscle.
Du Bois-Eeymond and those with him offer special explanations
of the above facts and of other objections which have been urged
against the theory of naturally existing electro-motive molecules.
Into these we cannot enter here. We must rest content with the
statement that in an ordinary muscle currents, such as have been
described, may be witnessed, but that strong arguments may be
^ The necessity of its being inactive will be seen subsequently.
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 113
adduced in favour of the view that these currents are not ' natural '
phenomena, but essentially of artificial origin. It will therefore be
best to speak of them as currents of rest.
§ 67. Currents of action. Negative variation of the Muscle-
current. The controversy whether the ' currents of rest ' observable
in a muscle be of natural origin or not, does not affect the truth
or the importance of the fact that an electrical change takes place,
and a current is developed in a muscle whenever it enters into a
contraction. When currents of rest are observable in a muscle,
these are found to undergo a diminution upon the occurrence of a
contraction, and this diminution is spoken of as ' the negative
variation ' of the currents of rest. The negative variation may be
seen when a muscle is thrown into a single contraction, but is most
readily shewn when the muscle is tetanized. Thus, if a pair of
electrodes be placed on a muscle, one at the equator, and the
other at or near the transverse section, so that a considerable
deflection of the galvanometer needle, indicating a considerable
current of rest, be gained, the needle of the galvanometer will,
when the muscle is tetanized by an interrupted current sent
through its nerve (at a point too far from the muscle to allow of
any escape of the current into the electrodes connected with the
galvanometer), swing back towards zero ; it returns to its original
deflection when the tetanizing current is shut off.
Not only may this negative variation be shewn by the galvano-
meter, but it, as well as the current of rest, may be used as a
galvanic shock, and so employed to stimulate a muscle, as in the
experiment known as ' the rheoscopic frog.' For this purpose the
muscles and nerves need to be in thoroughly good condition, and
very irritable. Two muscle-nerve preparations, A and B, having
been made, and each placed on a glass plate for the sake of insula-
tion, the nerve of the one, B, is allowed to fall on the muscle of the
other. A, in such a way that one point of the nerve comes in
contact with the equator of the muscle, and another point with
one end of the muscle or with a point at some distance from the
equator. At the moment the nerve is let fall and contact made, a
current, viz. the ' current of rest ' of the muscle A, passes through
the nerve ; this acts as a stimulus to the nerve, and so causes
a contraction in the muscle connected with a nerve. Thus the
muscle A acts as a battery, the completion of the circuit of which
by means of the nerve of B serves as a stimvilus, causing the
muscle B to contract.
If, while the nerve of B is still in contact with the muscl(^ of A,
the nerve of the latter is tetanized with an interrupted current,
not only is the muscle of A thrown into tetanus, but also that of
B ; the reason being as follows. At each spasm of which the
tetanus of A is made up, there is a negative variation of the
muscle current of A. Each negative variation of the muscle
current of A serves as a stimulus to the nerve of B, and is hence
114 MUSCLE CUEEENTS. [Book i.
the cause of a spasm in the muscle of B; and the stimuli following
each other rapidly, as being produced by the tetanus of A, they
must do, the spasms in B to which they give rise are also fused into
a tetanus in B. B, in fact, contracts in harmony with A. This
experiment shews that the negative variation accompanying the
tetanus of a muscle, though it causes only a single swing of the
galvanometer, is really made up of a series of negative variations,
each single negative variation corresponding to the single spasms
■of which the tetanus is made up.
But an electrical change may be manifested even in cases when
no currents of rest exist. We have stated (§ 66) that the surface
of the uninjured inactive ventricle of the frog's heart is isoelectric,
no currents being observed when the electrodes of a galvanometer
are placed on two points of the surface. Nevertheless, a most
•distinct current is developed whenever the ventricle contracts.
This may be shewn either by the galvanometer or by the rheo-
scopic frog. If the nerve of an irritable muscle-nerve preparation
be laid over a pulsating ventricle, each beat is responded to by a
twitch of the muscle of the preparation. In the case of ordinary
muscles, too, instances occur in which it seems impossible to regard
the electrical change manifested during the contraction as the
mere diminution of a preexisting current.
Accordingly those who deny the existence of ' natural ' muscle-
currents speak of a muscle as developing during a contraction a
' current of action,' occasioned as they believe by the muscular sub-
stance as it is entering into the state of contraction, becoming
negative towards the muscular substance which is still at rest, or
has returned to a state of rest. In fact, they regard the negativity
of muscular substance as characteristic alike of beginning death
and of a beginning contraction. So that in a muscular contraction
a wave of negativity, starting from the end-plate when indirect, or
from the point stimulated when direct stimulation is used, passes
along the muscular substance to the ends or end of the fibre.
If, for instance, we suppose two electrodes placed on two points
(Fig. 21), A and B, of a fibre about
to be stimulated by a single induc-
tion-shock at one end. Before the
stimulation the fibre is isoelectric,
and the needle of the galvanometer
stands at zero. At a certain time
after the shock has been sent
through the stimulating electrodes
{x), as the wave of contraction is
travelling down the fibre, the sec-
tion of the fibre beneath A will
become negative towards the rest
of the fibre, and so negative towards
Fig. 21. the portion of the fibre under B,
Chap, ii.] THE CONTKACTILE TISSUES. 115
i.e. A will be negative relatively to B, and this will be shewn by
a deflection of the needle. A little later, B will be entering into
contraction, and will be becoming negative towards the rest of the
fibre, including the part under A, whose negativity by this time
•is passing off; that is to say, B will now be negative towards A,
and this will be shewn by a deflection of the needle in a direction
opposite to that of the deflection which has just previously taken
place. Hence, between two electrodes placed along a fibre, a single
wave of contraction will give rise to two currents of different
phases, to a diphasic change ; and this, indeed, is found to be
the case.
This being so, it is obvious that the electrical result of tetanizing
a muscle when wave after wave follows along each fibre, is a com-
plex matter ; but it is maintained that the apparent negative
variation of tetanus can be explained as the net result of a series of
currents of action, due to the individual contractions, the second
phase of the current in each contraction being less marked than
the first phase. We cannot, however, enter more fully here into a
discussion of this difficult subject.
When we study, as we may do with the help of appropriate
apparatus, the rapidity with which the electrical change accompany-
ing a muscular contraction travels, we find it to be the same as
that of the contraction wave itself. The older observations seemed
to shew that the electrical change fell entirely within the latent
period, and might, therefore, be regarded as an outward token of
invisible molecular processes, occupying the latent period, and
sweeping along the muscular fibre ahead of and preparing for the
visible change of form. And, indeed, since we are led to regard
the change of form as the result of chemical processes taking place
in the muscular substance, we must suppose that the change of
form is preceded by molecular chemical changes. But, as we have
said, a latent period of measurable length does not appear to be
an essential feature of a muscular contraction ; we may, under
certain circumstances, fail to detect a latent period. And some
recent observations seem to shew that the electrical change and
the change of form may begin at the same time. Indeed, some
have maintained that the former is the result of the latter, and
not, as suggested above, of the forerunning molecular events. The
question however is one which cannot at present be regarded as
settled.
The Changes in a Nerve during the passage of a Nei^vous
Imjndse.
§ 68. The change in the form of a muscle during its contrac-
tion is a thing which can be seen and felt ; hut the changes in a
nerve during its activity are invisible and impalpable. We stimu-
late one end of a nerve going to a muscle, and we see this followed
116 STRUCTURE OF A NERVE. [Book i,
by a contraction of the muscle attached to the other end ; or we
stimulate a nerve still connected with the central nervous system,
and we see this followed by certain movements, or by other tokens
which shew that disturbances have been set up in the central
nervous system. We know, therefore, that some changes or other,'
constituting what we have called a nervous impulse, have been
propagated along the nerve ; but the changes are such as we
cannot see. It is possible, however, to learn something about
them.
Structure of a Nerve. An ordinary nerve going to a muscle is
composed of elementary nerve fibres, analogous to the elementary
muscle fibres, running lengthwise along the nerve, and bound up
together by connective tissues carrying blood vessels and lym-
phatics. Each fibre is a long rod or cylinder, varying in diameter
from less than 2/i to 20/a or even more, and the several fibres are
arranged by the connective tissue into bundles or cords running
along the length of the nerve. A large nerve, such as the sciatic,
contains many cords of various sizes ; in such a case the connective
tissue between the fibres in each cord is more delicate than that
which binds the cords together ; each cord has a more or less
distinct sheath of connective tissue, and a similar but stouter
sheath protects the whole nerve. In smaller nerves the cords
are less in number, and a very small nerve may consist, so to
speak, of one cord only ; that is to say, it has one sheath for the
whole nerve and fine connective tissue binding together all the
fibres within the sheath. When a large nerve divides or sends
off branches, one or more cords leave the trunk to form the branch ;
when nerves are joined to form a plexus, one or more cords leaving
one nerve join another nerve ; it is, as a rule, only when a very
small nerve is dividing near its end into delicate twigs, that
division or branching of the nerve is effected or assisted by division
of the nerve fibres themselves.
Nearly all the nerve fibres composing an ordinary nerve, such
as that going to a muscle, though varying very much in thickness,
have the same features, which are as follows. Seen under the
microscope in a perfectly fresh condition, without the use of any
reagents, each fibre appears as a transparent but somewhat re-
fractive, and therefore bright-looking, rod, with a sharply defined
outline, which is characteristically double ; that is to say, the sharp
line which marks the outside of the fibre is on each side of the
fibre accompanied by a second line parallel to itself, and following
such gentle curves as it shews, but rather nearer the axis of the
fibre. This is spoken of as the doiible contour, and is naturally
more conspicuous and more easily seen in the thicker than in the
thinner fibres. The substance of the fibre between the two inner
contour lines appears, in the perfectly fresh fibre, homogeneous.
If the fibre be traced along its course for some little distance, there
will be seen at intervals an appearance as if the fibre had been
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 117
strangled by a ligature tied tightly round it ; its transverse
diameter is suddenly narrowed, and the double contour lost, the
jfibre above and below being united by a narrow, short isthmus
only. This is called a node, a node of Kanvier, and upon exami-
nation it will be found that each fibre is marked regularly along its
length by nodes at intervals of about a millimeter. If the fibre be
examined with further care, there will be seen, or may be seen,
about midway between every two nodes, an oval nucleus lying
embedded, as it were, in the outline of the fibre, with its long
axis parallel, or nearly so, to the axis of the fibre.
If some of the fibres be torn across, it may sometimes be seen
that at the torn end of a fibre, though the double contour ceases,
the outline of the fibre is continued as a delicate, transparent,
membranous tubular sheath ; this is the primitive sheath, or
neurilemma} Lying in the axis of this sheath, and sometimes
projecting for some distance from the torn end of a fibre, whether
the sheath be displayed or no, may, in some cases, be seen a dim
or very faintly granular band, or thread, about one-third or half
the diameter of the fibre. This is the axis-cylinder ; it becomes lost
to view as we trace it back to where the fibre assumes a double
contour. This axis-cylinder stains readily with ordinary staining
reagents, and being in this and in other respects allied in nature to
the cell-substance of a leucocyte or to the muscle-substance of a
muscular fibre, has often been spoken of as protoplasmic.
Lying about the torn ends of the fibres may be seen drops, or
minute irregular masses, remarkable for exhibiting a double
contour like that of the nerve fibre itself ; and, indeed, drops of
this double contoured substance may be seen issuing from the torn
ends of the fibres. Treated with osmic acid, these drops and
masses are stained black ; they act as powerful reducing reagents,
and the reduced osmium gives the black colour. Treated with
ether or other solvents of fat they, moreover, more or less readily
dissolve. Obviously they are largely composed of fat, and we shall
see that the fat composing them is of a very complex nature. Now,
a nerve fibre, shewing a double contour, stains black with osmic
acid ; but the staining is absent or very slight where the double
contour ceases, as at a torn end or at the nodes of Eanvier ; the axis-
cylinder stains very slightly indeed with osmic acid and the sheath
hardly at all. So, also, when a transverse section is made through
a nerve, or a nerve cord, each fibre appears in section as a dark,
black ring, surrounding a much more faintly stained central area.
Further, when a double contoured nerve fibre is treated with ether,
or other solvents of fat, the double contour vanishes, and the
^ 'I'his word was formerly used to denote the connective tissue sheath wrapping
round the whole nerve. It seemed undesirable, however, to use two such analogous
terms as sarcolemma and neurilemma for two things obviously without analogy,
and hence neurilemma is now used for that part of "the nerve "which is obviouslj-
analogous to the sarcolemma in muscle, viz. the sheath of the fibre.
118 STRUCTUEE OF A NERVE FIBRE. [Book i.
whole fibre becomes more transparent ; and if such a fibre, eithei
before or after the treatment with ether, be stained with carmine
or other dye, the axis-cylinder will be seen as a stained band
or thread lying in the axis of a tubular space, defined by the
neurilemma, which stains only slightly except at and around the
nuclei, which, as we have seen, are embedded in it at intervals.
In the entire fibre the tubular space between the axis-cylinder
and the sheath is filled with a fatty material, the medulla, which
from its fatty nature has such a refractive power as to exhibit a
double contour when seen with transmitted light, on which
account the fibre itself has a double contour. It is this refractive
power of the medulla which gives to a nerve fibre, and still more
so to a bundle of nerve fibres or to a whole nerve, a characteristic
opaque, white colour when viewed by reflected light.
As we shall see, all nerve fibres do not possess a medulla, and
hence such a fibre as we are describing is called a medullated
fibre.
A typical medullated fibre consists, then, of the following parts.
1. The axis-cylinder, a central cylindrical core of so called
' protoplasmic ' material, delicate in nature and readily undergoing
change, sometimes swelling out, sometimes shrinking, and hence
in various specimens appearing now as a thick band, now as a thin
streak in the axis of the tubular sheath, and giving in cross section
sometimes a circular, sometimes an oval, and not unfrequently a
quite irregular outline. Probably in a perfectly natural condition
it occupies about one-half the diameter of the nerve, but even its
natural size varies in different nerve fibres. When seen quite
fresh, it has simply a dim, cloudy or at most a faintly granular
appearance ; under the influence of reagents it is apt to become
fibrillated longitudinally, and has been supposed to be in reality
composed of a number of delicate, longitudinal fibrillse united by
an interfibrillar substance, but this is not certain. It is further
said to be protected on its outside by a transparent sheath, the
axis-cylinder sheath, but this also is disputed.
The axis-cylinder passes unbroken through successive nodes of
Eanvier, the constriction of the node not affecting it otherwise
than perhaps to narrow it. Now, the fibres of a spinal nerve
(omitting for the present the fibres coming from the sympathetic
nerves) may be traced back either to the spinal ganglion on the
posterior root, or along the anterior root to the anterior cornua
of the spinal cord ; and, as we shall see, the axis-cylinders of the
fibres are, in both cases, prolongations of processes of nerve cells,
in the former case of cells of the ganglion, in the latter case of
cells of the anterior cornua. In each case a process of a cell
becoming the axis-cylinder of a nerve fibre runs an unbroken
course, passes as a continuous band of peculiar living matter,
through node after node right down to the termination of the fibre
in the tissue in which the fibre ends ; the only obvious change which
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 119
it undergoes is that, in many if not all cases, it divides near its
termination in the tissue, and in some cases the divisions are
numerous, and join or anastomose freely. Obviously the axis-
cylinder is the essential part of the nerve fibre.
2. The primitive sheath or neurilemmci, a tubular sheath of
transparent, apparently homogeneous, material, not unlike that of
a sarcolemma in nature. At each node the neurilemma is con-
stricted so as to embrace the axis-cylinder closely, but is at the
same time thickened by some kind of cement material. Staining
reagents, especially silver nitrate, appear to enter the nerve fibre
from without more readily at a node than elsewhere, staining
the fibre most at the node, and creeping upwards and downwards
from the node along the axis-cylinder ; hence it has been supposed
that the nutritive fluid, the lymph, enters into the fibre and so
gets access to the axis-cylinder more readily at the nodes than else-
where. About midway between every two nodes is placed a long
oval nucleus, on the inside of the neurilemma, pushing the
medulla, as it were, inwards, and so lying in a shallow bay
of that substance. Immediately surrounding the nucleus is a
thin layer of granular substance, of the kind which we have spoken
of as undifferentiated protoplasm ; in young, newly formed fibres at
all events, and possibly in all fibres, a very thin layer of this same
substance is continued all over the segment between the nodes, on
the inner surface of the neurilemma between it and the medulla.
3. The medtdla. This is a hollow cylinder of fatty material
of a peculiar nature, filling all the space between the neurilemma
on the outside and the axis-cylinder within, and suddenly ceasing
at each node. It thus forms a close-fitting hollow jacket for the
axis-cylinder between every two nodes. The fatty material is
fluid, at least at the temperature of the body, but appears to be
held in its place as it were by a network of a substance called
neurokeratin, allied to the substance keratin, which is the basis of
the horny scales of the epidermis and of other horny structures ;
this network is most marked towards the outside of the medulla.
So long as the nerve is in a fresh, living, perfectly normal
condition, the medulla appears smooth and continuous, shewing no
marks beyond the double contour ; but in nerves removed from
the body for examination (and according to some observers, at
times in nerves still within the body) clefts make their appearance
in the medulla running obliquely inwards from the neurilemma to
the axis-cylinder, and frequently splitting up the medulla in such
a way that it appears to be composed of a number of hollow cones,
partially slid one over the other along the axis-cylinder. These
clefts are spoken of as indentations. At a later stage of alteration
the medulla may divide into a number of small, irregular masses
separated by fluid ; and since each small piece thus separated has
a double contour, like a drop of medulla exuded from the end of
a fibre, the whole fibre has an irregular, ' curdy ' appearance.
120 STRUCTUEE OF A NERVE FIBRE. [Book i.
The essential part, then, of a medullated nerve fibre (of a spinal
nerve) is the axis-cylinder, which is really a prolongation of a
process from a nerve cell in a spinal ganglion or in the spinal
cord, running an unbroken course through node after node, never
in its course, as far as we know, joining another axis-cylinder,
and very rarely dividing until it approaches its end, where it
may divide freely, the divisions in some cases anastomosing freely.
We may conclude, and all we know supports the conclusion that
the changes, making up what we have called a nervous impulse,
take place, primarily and chiefly at all events, in this essential
part of the nerve fibre, the axis-cylinder. The neurilemma and
medulla together form a wrapping for the nourishment and protec-
tion of the axis-cylinder, the fatty medulla probably serving partly
as prepared food for the axis-cylinder, partly as a mechanical
support ; possibly it may also play a part as an insulator in the
electric phenomena.
It is easy, moreover, to see that while the axis-cylinder along
its whole length is practically (whatever be the exact manner of
its formation in the embryo) a part of the cell of which it is an
elongated process, each segment between every two nodes repre-
sents a cell wrapping round the axis-cylinder process, of which
cell the nucleus between the nodes is the nucleus, the neurilemma
the envelope or cell wall, and (though this is perhaps not quite so
clear) the medulla the cell-substance largely converted into fatty
material, a cell in fact which is really outside the axis-cylinder or
nerve fibre proper. It is along the axis-cylinder that the nervous
impulses sweep, and each wrapping cell only serves to nourish and
protect the segment of the axis-cylinder between its two nodes.
And we accordingly find that both at the beginning of the nerve
fibre in the ganglion cell or spinal cord, and at its end in the
tissue, both neurilemma and medulla disappear, the axis-cylinder
only being left.
A nerve going to a muscle is chiefly composed of medullated
fibres, as just described, the majority of which, ending in end-
plates in the muscular fibres, are the fibres which conduct the
nervous impulses to the muscle, causing it to contract, and may
hence be spoken of as motor nerve fibres. Some of the fibres,
however, end in other parts, such as the tendon, or the connective
tissue between the bundles, and some in the blood vessels.
There are reasons for thinking that some of these convey impulses
from the muscle to the central nervous system, and are conse-
quently spoken of as sensory or afferent fibres , concerning those
connected with the blood vessels we shall speak in dealing with
the vascular system.
§ 69. Nerve-endings in striated muscular fibres. A nerve on
entering a muscle divides into a number of branches which, running
in the connective tissue of the muscle, form a plexus round the
bundles of muscle fibres, the smaller branches forming a plexus
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 121
round the muscle fibres themselves. From this plexus are given
off a number of nerve fibres, running singly, each of which, joining
a muscle fibre, ends in an end-plate. In forming these plexuses
the individual nerve fibres divide repeatedly, the division always
taking place at a node of Ranvier ; so that what is a single nerve
fibre as the nerve enters the muscle may give rise to several nerve
fibres ending in several muscle fibres. The nerve fibre joins the
muscle fibre at about its middle, or somewhat nearer one end, and
occasionally two nerve fibres may join one muscle fibre and form
two end-plates. The general distribution of the bundles of nerve
fibres and single nerve fibres is such that some portion of the
muscle is left free from nerve fibres ; thus at the lower and at the
upper end of the sartorius of the frog there is a portion of muscle
quite free from nerve fibres.
A single nerve fibre, running by itself, has outside the neuri-
lemma an additional delicate sheath of fine, connective tissue
known as HcnWs s/^e«^A, which appears to be a continuation of the
connective tissue forming the sheath of the nerve branch from
which the fibre sprang, or uniting the fibres together in the
branch.
The actual ending of the nerve fibre in the muscle fibre differs
in different classes of animals.
In mammals and some other animals the single nerve fibre
joins the muscle fibre in a swelling or projection having a more or
less oval base, and appearing, when seen sideways, as a low, conical,
or rounded eminence. At the summit of this eminence the nerve
fibre loses both its sheath of Henle and its neurilemma, one or
other or both (for on this point, observers do not agree) becoming
continuous with the sarcolemma of the muscle fibre. At the
summit of the eminence, where the sheaths fuse, the fibre, now
consisting only of axis-cylinder and medulla, loses its medulla
abruptly (in the muscles of the tongue the nerve fibre in many
cases loses its medulla at some considerable distance before it
joins the muscle fibre to form the end-plate), while the axis-
cylinder branches out in all directions, tlie somewhat varicose
branches, which sometimes anastomose, forming a low, conical mass,
which, when viewed from above, has an arborescent or labyrinthine
appearance. On the branches of this arborescence may lie one
or more somewhat granular oval nuclei. The arborescence itself
has, like the axis-cylinder of which it is a development, a very
faintly granular or cloudy appearance, but lying between it and
the actual muscle substance is a disc or bed of somewhat coarsely
granular material, called the sole of the end-plate, on which the
ramified arborescent axis-cylinder rests, more or less overlapping
it at the edge, but with which it appears not to be actually
continuous. Lying in the midst of this ' sole ' are a number of
clear, oval, transparent nuclei.
The end-plate then beneath the sarcolemma consists of two
122 END PLATES. [Book i.
parts, the ramified axis-cylinder, and the granular nucleated sole,
the two apparently, though in juxtaposition, not being continuous.
According to some observers, the sole is continuous with, and, indeed,
is a specialized part of that substance pervading the whole muscu-
lar fibre, which we spoke of as interfibrillar substance. We
cannot enter here into a discussion of the probable meaning
and use of these structures, or how they effect what seems
obviously their function, the transformation of the changes con-
stituting a nervous impulse into the changes which constitute
a muscle contraction. It is of interest to observe that certain
analogies may be drawn between an end-plate and the histological
elements of the so-called electrical organs of certain animals.
The element of the electric organ of the torpedo, for instance,
may be regarded as a muscle fibre in which the nerve ending has
become highly developed, while the muscle substance has been
arrested in its development and has not become striated.
In amphibia {e.g. in frogs), the ending of a nerve fibre in a
muscle fibre is somewhat different. A nerve fibre about to end in
a muscle fibre divides into a brush of several nerve fibres, each of
which, losing its sheath of Henle and neurilemma, enters the same
muscle fibre, and then, losing its medulla, runs longitudinally along
the fibre for some distance, it and its branches dividing several,
times in a characteristically forked manner, and bearing at
intervals oval nuclei. In other animals, forms of nerve ending
are met with more or less intermediate between that seen in the
mammal and that seen in the frog.
§ 70. Besides the medullated nerve fibres described in § 68,
there are, in most nerves going to muscles, a few and in some
nerves, going to other parts, a large number of nerve fibres which
do not possess a medulla, and hence are called non-meduUated
fibres ; these are especially abundant in the so-called sympathetic
nerves.
A non-medullated fibre which, like a medullated fibre, may
have any diameter from 2yu, or less to 20yLfc or more, is practically a
naked axis-cylinder, not covered with medulla, but bearing on its
outside at intervals oval nuclei disposed longitudinally. These
nuclei appear wholly analogous to the nuclei of the neurilemma of
a medullated fibre, and probably belong to a sheath enclosing each
fibre, though it is not easy to demonstrate the independent exist-
ence of such a sheath in the case of most non-medullated fibres.
In the similar fibres, constituting the olfactory nerve, a sheath is
quite conspicuous. Unlike the medullated fibres these non-medul-
lated divide and also join freely ; like them each may be regarded
as a process of a nerve cell.
Of such non-medullated fibres, a scanty number are found in
nerves going to muscles scattered among the medullated fibres,
and bound up with them by connective tissue. They appear to
have no connection with the muscular fibres, but to be distributed
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 123
chiefly to the blood vessels ; and the function of non-medullated
fibres had better be considered in connection with nerves of which
they form a large part, such as certain nerves going to blood
vessels and to secreting organs. But it may be stated that, though
they possess no medulla, they are capable of propagating nervous
impulses in the same way as medullated nerves ; and this fact
may be taken as indicating that the medulla cannot serve any
very important function as an electric insulator.
§ 71. The chemistry of a nerve. We have spoken of the
medulla as fatty, and yet it is in reality very largely composed of
a substance which is not (in the strict sense of the word) a fat.
When we examine chemically a quantity of nerve (or, what is
practically the same thing, a quantity of that part of the central
nervous system which is called white matter, and which, as we shall
see, is chiefly composed, like a nerve, of medullated nerves, and
is to be preferred for chemical examination because it contains a
relatively small quantity of connective tissue), we find that a very
large proportion, according to some observers about half, of the
dried matter consists of the peculiar • body cholesterin. Now,
cholesterin is not a fat, but an alcohol ; like glycerine, however,
which is also an alcohol, it forms compounds with fatty acids ;
and though we do not know definitely the chemical condition
in which cholesterin exists during life in the medulla, it is more
than probable that it exists in some combination with some of
the really fatty bodies also present in the medulla, and not in a
free, isolated state. It is singular that besides being present in
such large quantities in nervous tissue, and to a small extent
in other tissues and in blood, cholesterin is a normal constituent
of bile, and forms the greater part of gall stones, when these are
present ; in gall stones it is undoubtedly present in a free state.
Besides cholesterin, ' white ' nervous matter contains a less but
still considerable quantity of a complex fat, whose nature is
disputed. According to some authorities, rather less than half
this complex fat consists of the peculiar body lecithin, which we
have already seen to be present also in blood corpuscles and in
muscle. Lecithin contains the radicle of stearic acid (or of oleic,
or of palmitic acid) associated not, as in ordinary fats, with simple
glycerin, but with the more complex glycerin-phosphoric acid,
and further combined with a nitrogenous body, neurin, an am-
monia compound of some considerable complexity ; it is, therefore,
of remarkable nature, since, though a fat, it contains both nitrogen
and phosphorus. According to the same authorities, the remainder
of the complex fat consists of another fatty body, also apparently
containing nitrogen but no phosphorus, called cerehrin. Other
authorities regard both these bodies, lecithin and cerebrin, as
products of decomposition of a still more complex fat, called
jsrotagon. Obviously the fat of the white matter of the central
nervous system and of spinal nerves (of which fat by far the
124 THE CHEMISTRY OF NERVES. [Book i,
greater part must exist in the medulla, and form nearly the whole
of the medulla) is a very complex body indeed, especially so if the
cholesterin exists in combination with the lecithin, or cerebrin (or
protagon). Being so complex, it is naturally very unstable, and, in-
deed, in its instability resembles proteid matter. Hence, probably
the reason why the medulla changes so rapidly and so profoundly
after the death of the nerve. It seems, moreover, that a certain
though small quantity of proteid matter forms part of the medulla,
and it is possible that this exists in some kind of combination with
the complex fat ; but our knowledge on this point is imperfect.
The presence in such large quantity of this complex fatty
medulla renders the chemical examination of the other consti-
tuents of a nerve very difficult, and our knowledge of the chemical
nature of, and of the chemical changes going on in the axis-cylinder,
is very limited. Examined under the microscope the axis-cylinder
gives the xanthoproteic reaction and other indications that it is
proteid in nature ; beyond this we are largely confined to inferences.
We infer that its chemical nature is in a general way similar to that
of the cell-substance of the nerve cell of which it is a process. We
infer that the chemical nature of the cell-substance of a nerve
cell, being of the kind which is frequently called ' protoplasmic,'
is, in a general way, similar to that of other ' protoplasmic ' cells,
for instance of a leucocyte. Now, where we can examine con-
veniently such cells we find, as we have said, § 30, the proteid
basis of the kind of cell-substance which is frequently spoken of
as ' undifferentiated protoplasm,' though it has certain special
features, resembles, in a broad way, the proteid basis of that • dif-
ferentiated protoplasm,' which we have called muscle substance.
Hence, we infer that in their broad chemical features the axis-
cylinder of a nerve fibre and the cell-body of a nerve cell resemble
the substance of a muscle fibre ; and this view is supported by the
fact that both kreatin and lactic acid are present as ' extractives,'
certainly in the central nervous system, and probably in nerves.
The resemblance is, of course, only a general one ; there must be
differences in chemical nature between the axis-cylinder which
propagates a nervous impulse without change of outward form
and the muscle fibre which contracts ; but we cannot at present
state exactly what these differences really are.
After the fats of the medulla (and the much smaller quantity of
fat presented in the axis-cylinder), the proteids of the axis-cylinder,
and the other soluble substances present in one or the other, or
gathered round the nuclei of the neurilemma, have by various
means been dissolved out of a nerve fibre, certain substances still
remain. One of these in small quantity is the nuclein of the
nuclei : another in larger quantity is the substance neurokeratin
which forms, as we have seen, a supporting framework for the
medulla, and whose most marked characteristic is perhaps its
resistance to solution.
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 125
In the ash of nerves there is a preponderance of potassium,
salts and phosphates, but not so marked as in the case of muscle.
§ 72. The nervous impulse. The chemical analogy between
the substance of the muscle and that of the axis-cylinder would
naturally lead us to suppose that the progress of a nervous impulse
along a nerve fibre was accompanied by chemical changes similar
to those taking place in a muscle fibre. Whatever changes, how-
ever, do or may take place, are too slight to be recognized by the
means at our disposal. We have no satisfactory evidence that in
a nerve even repeated nervous impulses can give rise to an acid
reaction, or that the death of a nerve fibre leads to such a reaction.
The grey matter of the central nervous system, it is true, is said to
be faintly alkaline during life, and to become acid after death;
but in this grey matter nerve cells are relatively abundant ; the
white matter, composed chiefly of nerve fibres, is and remains,
during action as well as rest, and even after death, neutral or
slightly alkaline.
Nor have we satisfactory evidence that the progress of a
nervous impulse is accompanied by any setting free of energy in
the form of heat.
In fact, beyond the terminal results, such as a muscular con-
traction in the case of a nerve going to a muscle, or some affection
of the central nervous system in the case of a nerve still in connec-
tion with its nervous centre, there is one event and one event only
which we are able to recognize as the objective token of a nervous
impulse, and that is an electric change. For a piece of nerve
removed from the body exhibits nearly the same electric pheno-
mena as a piece of muscle. It has an equator which is electrically
positive relatively to the two cut ends. In fact, the diagram,
Fig. 20, and the description which was given in § 66 of the electric
changes in muscle, may be applied almost as well to a nerve,
except that the currents are in all cases much more feeble in the
case of nerves than of muscles, and the special currents from the
circumference to the centre of the transverse sections cannot well be
shewn in a slender nerve ; indeed, it is doubtful if they exist at all.
During the passage of a nervous impulse, the ' natural nerve
current ' undergoes a negative variation, just as the ' natural
muscle current ' undergoes a negative variation during a con-
traction. There are, moreover, reasons in the case of the nerve, as
in the case of the muscle, which lead us to doubt the pre-existence
of any such ' natural ' currents. A nerve in an absolutely natural
condition appears to be, like a muscle, isoelectric ; hence we may
say that in a nerve during the passage of a nervous impulse, as in
a muscle during a muscular contraction, a ' current of action ' is
developed.
This ' current of action,' or ' negative variation,' may be shewn
either by the galvanometer or by the rheoscopic frog. If the nerve
of the ' muscle nerve preparation ' B (see § 67), be placed in an
126 ELECTRIC CURRENTS IN NERVES. [Book i.
appropriate manner on a thoroughly irritable nerve A (to which of
course no muscle need be attached), touching for instance the
equator and one end of the nerve, then single induction-shocks
sent into the far end of A will cause single spasms in the muscle
of B, while tetanization of A, i.e. rapidly repeated shocks sent
into A, will cause tetanus of the muscle of B.
That this current, whether it be regarded as an independent
' current of action,' or as a negative variation of a ' pre-existing '
current, is an essential feature of a nervous impulse, is shewn by
the fact that the degree or intensity of the one varies with that
of the other. They both travel, too, at the same rate. In describing
the muscle-curve, and the method of measuring the muscular latent
period, we have incidentally shewn (§ 46) how at the same time
the velocity of the nervous impulse may be measured, and stated
that the rate in the nerves of a frog is about 28 meters a second.
By means of a special and somewhat complicated apparatus, it is
ascertained that the current of action travels along an isolated
piece of nerve at the same rate. It also, like the contraction,
travels in the form of a wave, rising rapidly to a maximum at
each point of the nerve, and then more gradually declining again.
The length of the wave may by special means be measured, and
is found to be about 18 mm.
When an isolated piece of nerve is stimulated in the middle,
the current of action is propagated equally well in both directions,
and that whether the nerve be a chiefly sensory or a chiefly motor
nerve, or, indeed, if it be a nerve-root composed exclusively of motor
or of sensory fibres. Taking the current of action as the token of
a nervous impulse, we infer from this that when a nerve fibre is
stimulated artificially at any part of its course, the nervous
impulse set going travels in both directions.
We used just now the phrase ' tetanization of a nerve,' meaning
the application to a nerve of rapidly repeated shocks such as would
produce tetanus in the muscle to which the nerve was attached,
and we shall have frequent occasion to employ the phrase. It
must, however, be understood that there is in the nerve, in an
ordinary way, no summation of nervous impulses comparable to the
summation of muscular contractions. Putting aside certain cases
which we cannot discuss here, we may say that the series of shocks
sent in at the far end of the nerve start a series of impulses ; these
travel down the nerve, and reach the muscle as a series of distinct
impulses ; and the first changes in the muscle, the molecular
changes, which, sweeping along the fibre, initiate the change of
form, and which we may perhaps speak of as constituting a muscle
impulse, also probably form a series the members of which are
distinct. It is not until these molecular changes become trans-
formed into visible changes of form that any fusion or summation
takes place.
§ 73. Putting together the facts contained in this and the pre-
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 127
ceding sections, the following may be taken as a brief approximate
history of what takes place in a muscle and nerve when the latter
is subjected to a single induction-shock. At the instant that the
induced current passes into the nerve, changes occur, of whose
nature we know nothing certain except that they cause a ' current
of action,' or ' negative variation,' of the ' natural ' nerve current.
These changes propagate themselves along the nerve in both
directions as a nervous impulse in the form of a wave, having
a wave-length of about 18 mm., and a velocity (in frog's nerve) of
about 28 m. per sec. Passing down the nerve fibres to the muscle,
flowing along the branching and narrowing tracts, the wave at last
breaks on the end-plates of the fibres of the muscle. Here it is
transmuted into what we have called a muscle impulse, which,
with a greatly diminished velocity (about 3 ]n. per sec), travels
from each end-plate in both directions to the end of the fibre,
where it appears to be lost ; at all events we do not know what
becomes of it. As this impulse wave sweeps along the fibre, it
initiates an explosive decomposition of material, leading to a
discharge of carbonic acid, to the appearance of some substance or
substances with an acid reaction, and probably of other unknown
things, with a considerable development of heat. This explosive
decomposition gives rise to the visible contraction wave ; the fibre,
as tlie wave passes over it, swells and shortens, and thus brings its
two ends nearer together.
When repeated shocks are given, wave follows wave of nervous
impulse, muscle impulse, and visible contraction ; but the last do
not keep distinct : they are fused into the continued shortening
which we call tetanus.
SEC. 3. THE NATUEE OF THE CHANGES THEOUGH
WHICH AN ELECTEIC CUEEENT IS ABLE TO GENE-
EATE A NEEVOUS IMPULSE.
Action of the Constant Current.
§ 74. In the preceding account, the stimulus applied in order
to give rise to a nervous impulse has always been supposed to be
an induction-shock, single or repeated. This choice of stimulus has
been made on account of the almost momentary duration of the
induced current. Had we used a current lasting for some consider-
able time, the problems before us would have become more com-
plex, in consequence of our having to distinguish between the
events taking place while the current was passing through the
nerve, from those which occurred at the moment when the current
was thrown into the nerve, or at the moment when it was shut
off from the nerve. These complications do arise when, instead of
employing the induced current as a stimulus, we use a constant
current, i.e. when we pass through the nerve (or muscle) a current
direct from the battery, without the intervention of any induc-
tion-coil.
Before making the actual experiment, we might, perhaps,
naturally suppose that the constant current would act as a stimu-
lus throughout the whole time during which it was applied ; that, so
long as the current passed along the nerve, nervous impulses would
be generated, and that these would throw the muscle into some-
thing at all events like tetanus. And under certain conditions this
does take place ; occasionally it does happen that at the moment
the current is thrown into the nerve the muscle of the muscle-
nerve preparation falls into a tetanus, which is continued until the
current is shut off ; but such a result is exceptional. In the vast
majority of cases what happens is as follows. At the moment that
the circuit is made, the moment that the current is thrown
into the nerve, a single twitch, a simple contraction, the so-called
making contraction,, is, witnessed ; but after this has passed away
Chap. ii.J THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 129
the muscle remains absolutely quiescent in spite of the current
continuing to pass through the nerve, and this quiescence is
maintained until the circuit is broken, until the current is shut
off from the nerve, when another simple contraction, the so-
called breaking contraction, is observed. The mere passage of a
constant current of uniform intensity through a nerve does not,
under ordinary circumstances, act as a stimulus generating a
nervous impulse ; such an impulse is only set up when the
current either falls into or is shut off from the nerve. It is
the entrance or the exit of the current, and not the continuance of
the current, which is the stimulus. The quiescence of the nerve
and muscle during the passage of the current is, however, dependent
on the current remaining uniform in intensity or at least not being
suddenly increased or diminished. Any sufficiently sudden and
large increase or diminution of the intensity of the current will
act like the entrance or exit of a current, and, by generating a
nervous impulse, give rise to a contraction. If the intensity of the
current, however, be very slowly and gradually increased or di-
minished, a very wide range of intensity may be passed through
without any contraction being seen. It is the sudden change from
one condition to another, and not the condition itself, which causes
the nervous impulse.
In many cases, both a ' making ' and a ' breaking ' contraction,
each a simple twitch, are observed, and this is perhaps the
commonest event ; but when the current is very weak, and again
when the current is very strong, either the breaking or the making
contraction may be absent, i.e. there may be a contraction only
when the current is thrown into the nerve, or only when it is
shut off from the nerve.
Under ordinary circumstances the contractions witnessed with
the constant current, either at the make or at the break, are of the
nature of a ' simple' contraction, but, as has already been said, the
application of the current may give rise to a very pronounced
tetanus. Such a tetanus is seen sometimes when the current
is made, lasting during the application of the current, sometimes
when the current is broken, lasting some time after the current has
been wholly removed from the nerve. The former is spoken of as
a ' making,' the latter as a ' breaking ' tetanus. But these excep-
tional results of the application of the constant current need not
detain us now.
The great interest attached to the action of the constant
current lies in the fact that during the passage of the current,
in spite of the absence of all nervous impulses, and, therefore,
of all muscular contractions, the nerve is for the time both between
and on each side of the electrodes profoundly modified in a most
peculiar manner. This modification, important both for the light
it throws on the generation of nervous impulses and for its practical
applications, is known under the name of clcctrotonus.
130 ELECTR0T0:N^US. [Book i.
§ 75. Mectrotonus. The marked feature of the electrotonic
condition is that the nerve, though apparently quiescent, is changed
in respect to its irritabihty ; and that in a different way in the
neighbourhood of the two electrodes respectively.
Suppose that on the nerve of a muscle-nerve preparation are
placed two (non-polarizable) electrodes (Fig. 22, a, k), connected
with a battery and arranged with a key so that a constant current
can at pleasure be thrown into or shut off from the nerve.
This constant current, whose effects we are about to study, may be
called the ' polarizing current.' Let a be the positive electrode or
anode, and k the negative electrode or kathode, both placed at
some distance from the muscle, and also with a certain interval
between each other. At the point x let there be applied a pair of
electrodes connected with an induction-coil. Let the muscle
further be connected with a lever, so that its contractions can
be recorded, and their amount measured. Before the polarizing
current is thrown into the nerve, let a single induction-shock
of known intensity (a weak one being chosen, or at least not
one which would cause in the muscle a maximum contraction) be
thrown in at x. A contraction of a certain amount will follow.
11 ^~z
a
B.
a
Fig. 22. MuscLE-NEKVE Pkepaeations, with the nerve exposed in J. to a descending
and in B to an ascending constant current.
In each a is the anode, h the kathode of the constant current, x represents the
spot where the induction-shocks used to test the irritability of the nerve are sent in.
That contraction may be taken as a measure of the irritability of
the nerve at the point x. Now, let the polarizing current be
thrown in, and let the kathode or negative pole be nearest the
muscle, as in Fig. 22 A, so that the current passes along the
nerve in a direction from the central nervous system towards the
muscle ; such a current is spoken of as a descending one. The
entrance of the polarizing current into the nerve will produce
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 131
a 'making' contraction; this we may neglect. If while the
current is passing, the same induction-shock as before be sent
through X, the contraction which results will be found to be
greater than on the former occasion. If the polarizing current be
now shut off, a ' breaking ' contraction will probably be produced ;
this also we may neglect. If now the point x, after a short
interval, be again tested with the same induction-shock as Ijefore,
the contraction will be no longer greater, but of the same amount,
or perhaps not so great, as at first. During the passage of
the polarizing current, therefore, the irritability of the nerve at
the point x has been temporarily increased, since the same shock
applied to it causes a greater contraction during the presence than
in the absence of the current. But this is only true so long as the
polarizing current is a descending one, so long as the point x lies
■on the side of the kathode. On the other hand, if the polarizing
current had been an ascending one, with the anode or positive pole
nearest the muscle, as in Fig. 22 B, the irritability of the nerve at
X would have been found to be diminished instead of increased by
the polarizing current ; the contraction obtained during the passage
•of the constant current would be less than before the passage of
the current, or might be absent altogether, and the contraction
after the current had been shut off would be as great or perhaps
greater than before. That is to say, when a constant current is
applied to a nerve, the irritability of the nerve between the polar-
izing electrodes and the muscle is, during the passage of the
current, increased when the kathode is nearest the muscle (and
the polarizing current descending), and diminished when the anode
is nearest the muscle (and the polarizing current ascending). The
same result, mutatis mutandis, and with some qualifications which
we need not discuss, would be gained if x were placed not between
the muscle and the polarizing current, but on the far side of the
latter. Hence, it may be stated generally that during the passage
of a constant current through a nerve, the irritability of the nerve
is increased in the region of the kathode, and diminished in
the region of the anode. The changes in the nerve which give
rise to this increase of irritability in the region of the kathode
are spoken of as katelectrotonus, and the nerve is said to be
in a katelectrotonic condition. Similarly the changes in the
region of the anode are spoken of as anelectrotonus, and the nerve
is said to be in an anelectrotonic condition. It is also often usual
to speak of the katelectrotonic increase, and anelectrotonic decrease
of irritability.
This law remains true whatever be the mode adopted for
determining the irritability. The result holds good not only
with a single induction-shock, but also with a tetanizing inter-
rupted current, with chemical and with mechanical stimuli. It
further appears to hold good not only in a dissected nerve-muscle
preparation, but also in the intact nerves of the living body. The
132
ELECTEOTONUS.
[Book i.
increase and decrease of irritability are most marked in the
immediate neighbourliood of the electrodes, but spread for a
considerable distance in each direction in the extrapolar regions.
The same modification is not confined to the extrapolar region,
but exists also in the intrapolar region. In the intrapolar region
there must be of course a neutral or indifferent point, where the
katelectrotonic increase merges into the anelectrotonic decrease,
and where, therefore, the irritability is unchanged. When the
polarizing current is a weak one, this indifferent point is nearer the
anode than the kathode, but as the polarizing current increases in
intensity, draws nearer and nearer the kathode (see Eig. 23).
The amount of increase and decrease is dependent : (1) On the
strength of the current, the stronger current up to a certain limit
producing the greater effect. (2) On the irritability of the nerve,
the more irritable, better conditioned nerve being the more affected
by a current of the same intensity.
In the experiments just described the increase or decrease of
irritability is taken to mean that the same stimulus starts in the one
case a larger or more powerful, and in the other case a smaller or
less energetic impulse ; but we have reason to think that the mere
propagation or conduction of impulses started elsewhere is also
affected by the electrotonic condition. At all events anelectrotonus
appears to offer an obstacle to the passage of a nervous impulse.
•3 IB
Fig. 23. Diagram illustrating the Variations of Irritability during Electro-
TONUS, WITH Polarizing Currents of Increasing Intensity (from Pfliiger).
The anode is supposed to be placed at A, the kathode at B ; AB is consequently
the intrapolar district. In each of the three curves, the portion of the curve below
the base line represents diminished irritability, that above, increased irritability.
yi represents the effect of a weak current ; the indifferent point x^ is near the
anode A. In ?/2, a stronger current, the indifferent point X2 is nearer the kathode
B, the diminution of irritability in anelectrotonus and the increase in katelectro-
tonus being greater than in y^ ;" the effect also spreads for a greater distance along
the extrapolar regions in both directions. In 3/3 the same events are seen to be still
more marked.
§ 76. Electrotonic Currents. During the passage of a constant
current through a nerve, variations in the electric currents belonging
to the nerve itself may be observed ; and these variations have certain
relations to the variations of the irritability of the nerve. Thus, if
a constant current, supplied by the battery P (Fig. 24), be applied
Chap, ii.]
THE CONTHACTILE TISSUES.
133
to a piece of nerve by means of two non-polarizable electrodes p, /)',
the *' currents of rest " obtainable from various points of the nerve
will be different during the passage of the polarizing current from
those which were manifest before or after the current was applied ; and,
moreover, the changes in the nerve-currents produced by the polarizing
current will not be the same in the neiglibourhood of the anode (^>)
as those in the neiglibourhood of the kathode (/»')• Thus let G and H be
two galvanometers so connected with the two ends of the nerve as to
afford good and clear evidence of the " currents of rest." Before
the polarizing current is thrown into the nerve, the needle of // will
occupy a position indicating the passage of a current of a certain
intensity from h to h' through the galvanometer (from the positive
longitudinal surface to the negative cut end of the nerve), the circuit
being completed by a current in the nerve from h' to h, i.e. the current
-4-
llh
-* .^
// ^
//
Fig. 24. Diagram illustrating Electeotonic Currents.
P the.polarizing battery, with k a key,p the anode, and p' the kathode. At the left
end of the piece of nerve the natural current flows through the galvanometer G
from (J to g', in the direction of the arrows ; its direction", thereifore, is tlie same
as that of the polarizing current ; consequently it appears increased, as indicated
by the sign +. The current at tlie other end of tlie piece of nerve, from /( to /(',
through the galvanometer H, flows in a contrary direction to the polarizing
current; it consequently appears to be diminished, as indicated by the sign—.
N. B. For simplicity's sake, the polarizing current is here supposed to be thrown
in at the middle of a piece of nerve, and the galvanometer placed at the two ends.
Of course it will be understood that the former may be thrown in anvwhere, and the
latter connected with any two pairs of jioints which' will give currents".
134 ELECTEOTONUS. [Book i.
will flow in the direction of the arrow. Similarly the needle of G will
by its deflection indicate the existence of a current flowing from g to g^
through the galvanometer, and from ^' to g through the nerve, in the
direction of the arrow.
At the instant that the polarizing current is thrown into the nervo
at jop', the currents at gg^ , hh' will undergo a " negative variation ; " that is,
the nerve at each point will exhibit a " current of action " correspond-
ing to the nervous impulse, which, at the making of the polarizing
current, passes in both directions along the nerve, and may cause a
contractiou in the attached muscle. The current of action is, as we-
have seen, of extremely short duration : it is over and gone in a small
fraction of a second. It therefore must not be confounded with a
permanent effect, which, in the case we are dealing with, is observed in
both galvanometers. This effect, which is dependent on the direction
of the polarizing current, is as follows : Supposing that the polarizing
current is flowing in the direction of the arrow in the figure, that is,
passes in the nerve from the positive electrode or anode p to the negative
electrode or kathode jo', it is found that the current through the
galvanometer G is increased, while that through ^is diminished. The
polarizing current has caused the appearance in the nerve outside the
electrodes of a current, having the same direction as itself, called the
' electrotonic ' current ; and this electrotonic current adds to, or takes
away from, the natural nerve-current or " current of rest," according as
it is flowing in the same direction as that, or in an opposite direction.
The strength of the electrotonic current is dependent on the strength
of the polarizing current, and on the length of the intrapolar region,,
which is exposed to the polarizing current. When a strong polarizing
current is used, the electromotive force of the electrotonic current may
be much greater than that of the natural nerve-current.
The strength of the electrotonic current varies with the irritability,,
or vital condition of the nerve, being greater with the more irritable
nerve ; and a dead nerve will not manifest electrotonic currents. More-
over, the propagation of the current is stopped by a ligature, or by
crushing the nerve.
We may speak of the conditions which give rise to this electrotonic
current as a physical electrotonus analogous to that filiysiological electro-
tonus, which is made known by variations in irritability. The physical
electrotonic current is probably due to the escape of the polarizing
current along the nerve under the jDeculiar conditions of the living
nerve ; but we must not attempt to enter here into this difficult subject,,
or into the allied question as to the exact connection between the
physical and the physiological electrotonus, though there can be little
doubt that the latter is dependent on the former.
§ 77. These variations of irritability at the kathode and anode
respectively, thus brought about by the action of the constant
current, are interesting theoretically, because we may trace a con-
nection between them and the nervous impulse which is the result
of the making or breaking of a constant current.
For we have evidence that a nervous impulse is generated
when a portion of the nerve passes suddenly from a normal
Chap, ii.] THE CONTKACTILE TISSUES. 135
condition to a state of katolectrotoniis, or from a state of anelec-
trotonus back to a normal condition; but that the passage from
a normal condition to anelectrotonus or from katelectrotonus
back to a normal condition is unable to generate an impulse.
Hence, when a constant current is ' made,' the impulse is gen-
erated only at the kathode where the nerve passes suddenly into
katelectrotonus ; when the current, on the other hand, is ' broken,'
the impulse is generated only at the anode where the nerve passes
suddenly back from anelectrotonus into a normal condition. We
have an indirect proof of this in the facts to which we drew
attention a little while back, viz. that a contraction sometimes
occurs at the ' breaking ' only, sometimes at the ' making ' only
of the constant current, sometimes at both. For it is found that
this depends partly on the strength of the current in relation to
the irritability of the nerve, partly on the direction of the current,
whether ascending or descending ; and the results obtained with
strong, medium and weak descending and ascending currents have
been stated in the form of a ' law of contraction.' We need not
enter into the details of this ' law,' but will merely say that the
results which it formulates are best explained by the hypothesis
just stated. We may add that when the constant current is
applied to certain structures composed of plain muscular fibres,
whose rate of contraction we have seen to be slow, the making
contraction may be actually seen to begin at the kathode and
travel towards the anode, and the breaking contraction to begin
at the anode and travel thence towards the kathode.
Since in katelectrotonus the irritability is increased, and in
anelectrotonus decreased, both the entrance from the normal
condition into katelectrotonus, and the return from anelectrotonus
to the normal condition, are instances of a passage from a lower
stage of irritability to a higher stage of irritability. Hence, the
phenomena of electrotonus would lead ns to the conception that a
stimulus in provoking a nervous impulse produces its effect by, in
some way or other, suddenly raising the irritability to a higher
pitch. But what we are exactly to understand by raising the
irritability, what molecular change is the cause of the rise, and
how either electric or other stimuli can produce this change, are
matters which we cannot discuss here.
Besides their theoretical importance, the phenomena of electro-
tonus have also a practical interest. When an ascending current
is passed along a nerve going to a muscle or group of muscles, the
region between the electrodes and the muscle is thrown into
anelectrotonus, and its irritability is diminished. If the current
be of adequate strength, the irritability may be so much lessened
that nervous impulses cannot be generated in that part of the
nerve, or cannot pass along it. Hence, by this means the irregular
contractions of muscles known as ' cramp ' may be abolished.
Similarly, by bringing into a condition of anelectrotonus a portion
136 EFFECTS OF CONSTANT CUEEENT. [Book i.
of a sensory nerve in which violent impulses are being generated,
giving rise in the central nervous system to sensations of pain, the
impulses are toned down or wholly abolished, and the pain ceases.
So, on the other hand, we may at pleasure heighten the irritability
of a part by throwing it into katelectrotonus. In this way the
constant current, properly applied, becomes a powerful remedial
means.
We said just now that probably every stimulus produces its
effect on a nerve by doing what the constant current does when it
acts as a stimulus, viz., suddenly raising the irritability of the
nerve to a higher pitch. At any rate, the stimulus so often
employed in experiments, the induction-shock, acts exactly in the
same way as the constant current. The induction-shock is a
current of short duration, developed very suddenly, but disappear-
ing more gradually, and this is true both of a making induction-
shock, a shock due to the making of the primary current, and of a
breaking shock, a shock due to the breaking of the primary
current. The two differ in direction (hence if the making shock
be ascending, the breaking shock will be descending and vice
versa), and in the fact that the breaking shock is more suddenly
developed, and hence more potent than the making shock ; but
otherwise they act in the same way. In each case, since the
induced current is developed rapidly, but disappears more slowly,
there is a sudden development of electrotonus, of katelectrotonus at
the kathode and of anelectrotonus at the anode, and a more grad-
ual return to the normal condition. Now, there are many reasons
for thinking that in all cases the passing from the normal condition
to katelectrotonus at the kathode is a more potent stimulus than
the return from anelectrotonus to the normal condition at the
anode, and this will be still more so if the return to the normal
condition be much slower than the entrance into electrotonus, as
is the case in an induction-shock. And it would appear that in
an induction-shock, which, as we have said, disappears much more
slowly than it is developed, we have to deal not with two stimuli,
one at the shock passing into a nerve and one at the shock leaving
the nerve, but with one only, — that produced at the shock passing
into the nerve. Hence, when an induction-shock is sent into a
nerve, one stimulus only is developed, and that at the kathode
only, the establishment of katelectrotonus. This is true whether
the shock be a making or a breaking shock, i.e. due to the making
or breaking of the primary current, though of course, owing to the
change of direction in the induced current, what was the kathode
at the making shock becomes the anode at the breaking shock.
Lastly, though we are dealing now with nerves going to muscles,
that is to say, with motor nerves only, we may add that what we
have said about electrotonus, and the development of nervous
impulses by it, appears to apply equally well to sensory nerves.
§ 78. In a general way, muscular fibres behave towards an
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 137
electric current very much as do nerve fibres ; but there are
certain important ditferences.
In the first place, muscular fibres, devoid of nerve fibres, are
much more readily thrown into contractions by the breaking and
making of a constant current than by the more transient
induction-shock ; the muscular substance seems to be more
sluggish than the nervous substance, and requires to be acted upon
for a longer time. This fact may be made use of, and, indeed, is in
medical practice made use of, to determine the condition of the
nerves supplying a muscle. If the intramuscular nerves be still in
good condition, the muscle as a whole responds readily to single
induction-shocks, because these can act upon the intramuscular
nerves. If these nerves on the other hand have lost their irrita-
bility, the muscle does not respond readily to single induction-
shocks, or to the interrupted current, but can still,easily be thrown
into contractions by the constant current.
In the second place, while in a nerve no impulses are, as a rule,
generated during the passage of a constant current, between the
break and the make, provided that it is not too strong, and that it
remains uniform in strength, in an urarized muscle on the other
hand, even with moderate and perfectly uniform currents, a kind of
tetanus, or, apparently, a series of rhythmically repeated contractions
is very frequently witnessed during the passage of the current.
The exact nature and cause of these phenomena in muscle, we
must not, however, discuss here.
SEC. 4. THE MUSCLE-NERVE PEEPARATION AS A
MACHINE.
§ 79. The facts described in the foregoing sections shew that a
muscle with its nerve may be justly regarded as a machine which,
when stimulated, will do a certain amount of work. But the
actual amount of work which a muscle-nerve preparation will do is
found to depend on a large number of circumstances, and conse-
quently to vary within very wide limits. These variations will be
largely determined by the condition of the muscle and nerve in
repect to their nutrition ; in other words, by the degree of irrita-
bility manifested by the muscle or by the nerve or by both. But
quite apart from the general influences affecting its nutrition and
thus its irritability, a muscle-nerve preparation is affected, as
regards the amount of its work, by a variety of other circumstances,
which we may briefly consider here, reserving to a succeeding
section the study of variations in irritability.
We may here remark that a muscle may be thrown into
contraction under two different conditions. In the one case it may
be free to shorten : by the lifting of the weight or otherwise, the
one end of the muscle may approach the other ; and this is the
kind of contraction which we have taken, and may take as the
ordinary one. But the muscle may be placed under such circum-
stances that, when it contracts, the one end is not brought nearer
to the other, the muscle remains of the same length, and the
effect of the contraction is manifested only as an increased strain.
In this latter case, the contraction is spoken of as an "isometric,"
in the former case as an " isotonic " contraction.
The influence of the nature and mode of application of the
stimulus. When we apply a weak stimulus, a weak induction-
shock, to a nerve, we get a small contraction, a slight shortening of
the muscle ; when we apply a stronger stimulus, a stronger in-
duction-shock, we get a larger contraction, a greater shortening of
the muscle. We take, other things being equal, the amount of
contraction of the muscle as a measure of the nervous impulse,
and say that in the former case a weak or slight, in the latter case
a stronger or larger nervous impulse has been generated. Now
the muscle of the muscle-nerve preparation consists of many
muscular fibres and the nerve of many nerve fibres ; and we may
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 139
fairly suppose that in two experiments we may in the one
experiment bring the induction-shock or other stimulus to bear
on a few nerve fibres only, and in the other experiment on many
or even all the fibres of the nerve. In the former case, only those
muscular fibres in which the few nerve fibres stimulated end will
be thrown into contraction, the others remaining quiet, and the
shortening of the muscle as a whole, since only a few fibres take part
in it, will necessarily be less than when all the fibres of the nerve
are stimulated, and all the fibres of the muscle contract. That is
to say, the amount of contraction will depend on the number of
fibres stimulated. For simplicity's sake, however, we will, in what
follows, except when otherwise indicated, suppose that when a
nerve is stimulated, all the fibres are stimulated and all the
muscular fibres contract.
In such a case the stronger or larger nervous impulse, leading
to the greater contraction, will mean the greater disturbance in
each of the nerve fibres. What we exactly mean by the greater
disturbance we must not discuss here ; we must be content with
regarding the greater, or more powerful, or more intense, nervous
impulse as that in which, by some mode or other, more energy is
set free.
So far as we know at present this difference in amount or in-
tensity, of the energy set free, is the chief difference between various
nervous impulses. Nervous impulses may differ in the velocity
with which they travel, in the length and possibly in the form
of the impulse wave, but the chief difi'erence is in strength, in, so
to speak, the height of the wave. And our present knowledge will
not permit us to point out any other differences, any differences
in fundamental nature, for instance, between nervous impulses
generated by different stimuli, between, for example, the nervous
impulses generated by electric currents, and those generated by
chemical or mechanical stimuli ; nor can we, in the present state
of our knowledge, at least, recognise any essential difference
between what may be called natural motor nervous impulses ; that
is to say, those set going by changes in the central nervous
system, and those produced l3y the artificial stimulation of the
motor nerves.^
This being premised, we may say that, other things being equal,
the magnitude of a nervous impulse, and so the magnitude of the
ensuing contraction, is directly dependent on what we may call
the strength of the stimulus. Thus taking a single induction-
shock as the most manageable stimulus, we find that if, before we
begin, we place the secondary coil (Fig. 5, sc.) a long way off the
primary coil j:)?-. c, no visible effect at all follows upon the
1 It will be observed that we are speaking now exclusively of tlie nerve of a
muscle-nerve preparation, /. e. of what we shall hereafter term a motor nerve.
Whether sensory impulses differ essentially from motor impulses will be considered
later on.
140 CHAEACTEES OF STIMULI. [Book i.
discharge of the induction-shock. The passage of the momentary
weak current is either unable to produce any nervous impulse at
all, or the weak nervous impulse to which it gives rise is unable
to stir the sluggish muscular substance to a visible contraction.
As we slide the secondary coil towards the primary, sending in an
induction-shock at each new position, we find that, at a certain
distance between the secondary and primary coils, the muscle
responds to each induction-shock ^ with a contraction which makes
itself visible by the slightest possible rise of the attached lever.
This position of the coils, the battery remaining the same and
other things being equal, marks the minimal stimulus, giving rise
to the minimal contraction. As the secondary coil is brought
nearer to the primary, the contractions increase in height corre-
sponding to the increase in the intensity of the stimulus. Very
soon, however, an increase in the stimulus, caused by further sliding
the secondary coil over the primary, fails to cause any increase
in the contraction. This indicates that the maximal stimulus,
giving rise to the maximal contraction, has been reached ; though
the shocks increase in intensity as the secondary coil is pushed
further and further over the primary, the contractions remain of
the same height, until fatigue lowers them.
With single induction-shocks, then, the muscular contraction,
and by inference the nervous impulse, increases with an increase in
the intensity of the stimulus, between the limits of the minimal
and maximal stimuli ; and this dependence of the nervous impulse,
and so of the contraction, on the strength of the stimulus, may be
observed not only in electric but in all kinds of stimuli.
It may here be remarked that in order for a stimulus to be
effective, a certain abruptness in its action is necessary. Thus,
as we have seen, the constant current when it is passing through
a nerve with uniform intensity does not give rise to a nervous
impulse, and, indeed, it may be increased or diminished to almost
any extent without generating nervous impulses, provided that the
change be made gradually enough ; it is only when there is a
sudden change that the current becomes effective as a stimulus.
And the reason why the breaking induction-shock is more potent
as a stimulus than the making shock, is because as we have seen
(§ 44) the current, which is induced in the secondary coil of an
induction-machine at the breaking of the primary circuit, is more
rapidly developed, and has a sharper rise than the current which
appears when the primary circuit is made. Similarly, a sharp tap
on a nerve will produce a contraction, when a gradually increasing
pressure will fail to do so ; and, in general, the efficiency of a
stimulus of any kind will depend in part on the suddenness or
abruptness of its action.
^ In these experiments either the breaking or making shock must be used, not
sometimes one and sometimes the other ; for, as we have stated, the two kinds of
shock differ in efficiency, the breaking being the most potent.
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 141
A stimulus, in order that it may be effective, must have an
action of a certain duration, the time necessary to produce an effect
varying according to the strength of the stimulus and being different
in the case of a nerve from what it is in the case of a muscle. It
would appear that an electric current applied to a nerve must have
a duration of at least about 0015 sec. to cause any contraction at
all, and needs a longer time than this to produce its full effect.
A muscle fibre, apart from its nerve fibre, requires a still longer
duration of the stimulus, and hence, as we have already stated,
a muscle poisoned by urari, or which has otherwise lost the action
of its nerves, will not respond as readily to induction-shocks as to
the more slowly acting, breaking and making of a constant current.
In the case of electric stimuli, the same current will produce a
stronger contraction when it is sent along the nerve than when it
is sent across the nerve ; indeed, it is maintained that a current
which passes through a nerve in an absolutely transverse direction
is powerless to generate impulses.
It would also appear, at all events up to certain limits, that the
longer the piece of nerve through which the current passes, the
greater is the effect of the stimulus.
When two pairs of electrodes are placed on the nerve of a long
and perfectly fresh and successful nerve-preparation, one near to
the cut end, and the other nearer the muscle, it is found that the
same stimulus produces a greater contraction when applied through
the former pair of electrodes than through the latter. This has
been interpreted as meaning that the impulse started at the
farther electrodes gathers strength, like an avalanche, in its
progress to the muscle. It is more probable, however, that the larger
contraction produced by stimulation of the part of the nerve near
the cut end, is due to the stimulus setting free a larger impulse,
i.e. to this part of the nerve being more irritable. The mere
section, possibly by developing nerve currents, increases for a time
the irritability at the cut end. A similar greater irritability may,
however, also be observed in the part of the nerve nearer the
spinal cord while it is still in connection with the spinal cord ; and
it is possible that the irritability of a nerve may vary considerably
at different points of its course.
§ 80. We have seen that when single stimuli are repeated
with sufficient frequency, the individual contractions are fused
into tetanus ; as the frequency of the repetition is increased, the
individual contractions are less obvious on the curve, until at last
we get a curve on which -they seem to be entirely lost, and which
we may speak of as a complete tetanus. By such a tetanus a much
greater contraction, a much greater shortening of the muscle is, of
course, obtained than by single contractions.
The exact frequency of repetition required to produce complete
tetanus will depend chiefly on the length of the individual
contractions, and this varies in different animals, in different
142 REPETITION OF CONTEACTIONS IN TETANUS. [Book i.
muscles of the same animal, and in the same muscle under different '
conditions. In a cold blooded animal a single contraction is as a ,
rule more prolonged than in a warm blooded animal, and tetanus '
is consequently produced in the former by a less frequent repe-
tition of the stimulus. A tired muscle has a longer contraction
than a fresh muscle, and hence in many tetanus curves the
individual contractions, easily recognised at first, disappear later
on, owing to the individual contractions being lengthened out
by the exhaustion caused by the tetanus itself. In many animals,
e.g. the rabbit, some muscles (such as the adductor magnus
femoris) are pale, while others (such as the semitendinosus) are
red. The red muscles are not only more richly supplied with
blood vessels, but the muscle substance of the fibres contains more
haemoglobin than the pale, and there are other structural differ-
ences. Now, the single contraction of one of these red muscles
is more prolonged than the single contraction of one of the pale
muscles produced by the same stimulus. Hence the red muscles
are thrown into complete tetanus with a repetition of much less
frequency than that required for the pale muscles. Thus, ten
stimuli in a second are quite sufficient to throw the red muscles
of the rabbit into complete tetanus, while the pale muscles require
•at least twenty stimuli in a second.
So long as signs of the individual contractions are visible on
the curve of tetanus, it is easy to recognise that each stimulation
produces one of the constituent single contractions, and that the
number, so to speak, of the vibrations of the muscle making up the
tetanus, corresponds to the number of stimulations ; but the
question whether, when we increase the number of stimulations
heyond that necessary to produce a complete tetanus, we still
increase the number of constituent single contractions, is one not
so easy to answer. And connected with this question is another
difficult one. What is the rate of repetition of single contractions
making up those tetanic contractions which as we have said are
the kind of contractions by which the voluntary, and, indeed, other
natural movements of the body are carried out ? What is the
evidence that these are really tetanic in character ?
When a muscle is thrown into tetanus, a more or less musical
sound is produced. This may be heard by applying a stethoscope
directly over a contracting muscle, and a similar sound but of a
more mixed origin and less trustworthy may be heard when the
masseter muscles are forcibly contracted, or when a finger is placed
in the ear, and the muscles of the same arm are contracted.
When the stethoscope is placed over a muscle, the nerve of
which is stimulated by induction-shocks repeated with varying
frequency, the note heard will vary with the frequency of the
shocks, being of higher pitch with the more frequent shocks. Now,
it has been thought that the vibrations of the muscle giving rise
to the " muscle sound " are identical with the single contractions
Chap, ii.] THE CONTEACTILE TISSUES. 143
making up the tetanus of the muscle. And since, in the human
body, when a muscle is thrown into contraction in a voluntary
effort, or, indeed, in any of the ordinary natural movements of the
body, the fundamental tone of the sound corresponds to about 19
or 20 vibrations a second, it has been concluded that the con-
traction taking place in such cases is a tetanus of which the
individual contractions follow each other about 19 or 20 times a
second. But investigations seem to shew that the vibrations
giving rise to the muscle sound do not really correspond to the
shortenings and relaxations of the individual contractions, and
that the pitch of the note cannot therefore be taken as an
indication of the number of single contractions making up the
tetanus ; indeed, as we shall see in speaking of the sounds of
the heart, a single muscular contraction may produce a sound
which though differing from the sound given out during tetanus
has, to a certain extent, musical characters. Nevertheless, the
special characters of the muscle sound given out by muscles in
the natural movements of the body may be taken as shewing at
least that the contractions of the muscle in these movements are
tetanic in nature, and the similarity of the note in all the voluntary
efforts of the body and indeed in all movements carried out by the
central nervous system is at least consonant with the view that
the repetition of single contractions is of about the same frequency
in all these movements. What that frequency is, and whether it
is exactly identical in all these movements, is not at present
perhaps absolutely determined ; but certain markings on the
myrographic tracings of these movements, and other facts, seem
to indicate that it is about 12 a second.
§81. The Infiuence of the Load, It might be imagined that
a muscle, which, when loaded with a given weight, and stimulated
by a current of a given intensity, had contracted to a certain
extent, would only contract to half that extent when loaded with
twice the weight, and stimulated with the same stimulus. Such,
however, is not necessarily the case ; the height to which the
weight is raised may be in the second instance as great, or even
greater, than in the first. That is to say, the resistance offered to
the contraction actually augments the contraction, the tension of
the muscular fibre increases the facility with which the explosive
changes resulting in a contraction take place. And we have other
evidence that anything which tends to stretch the muscular fibres,
that any tension of the muscular fibres, whether during rest or
during contraction, increases the metabolism of the muscle. There
is, of course, a limit to this favourable action of the resistance. As
the load continues to be increased, the height of the contraction
is diminished, and at last a point is reached at which the muscle
is unable (even when the stimulus chosen is the strongest possible)
to lift the load at all.
In a muscle viewed as a machine, we have to deal not merely
144 THE WOEK DONE. [Book i,
with the height of the contraction, — that is with the amount of
shortening, — but with the work done ; and this is measured by
multiplying the number of units of height to which the load is
raised into the number of units of weight of the load. Hence
it is obvious from the foregoing observations that the work done
must be largely dependent on the weight itself. Thus there is
a certain weight of load with which in any given muscle, stimu-
lated by a given stimulus, the most work will be done ; as may be
seen from the following example:
Load, in grammes , 0 50 100 150 200 250
Height of contractions in millimeters 14 9 7 5 2 0
Work done, in gram-millimeters ... 0 450 700 750 400 0
§ 82. The Infiuence of the Size and Form of the Muscle. Since
all known muscular fibres are much shorter than the wave-length
of a contraction, it is obvious that the longer the fibre, the greater
will be the shortening caused by the same contraction wave,
the greater will be the height of the contraction with the same
stimulus. Hence, in a muscle of parallel fibres, the height to
which the load is raised as the result of a given stimulus applied
to its nerve, will depend on the length of the fibres, while
the maximum weight of load capable of being lifted will depend
on the number of the fibres, since the load is distributed among
them. Of two muscles, therefore, of equal length (and of the same
quality), the most work will be done by that which has the larger
number of fibres, that is to say, the fibres being of equal width,
which has the greater sectional area ; and of two muscles with
equal sectional areas, the most work will be done by that which
is the longer. If the two muscles are unequal both in length
and sectional area, the work done will be the greater in the
one which has the larger bulk, which contains the greater number
of cubic units. In speaking, therefore, of the work which can be
done by a muscle, we may use as a standard a cubic unit of bulk,
or, the specific gravity of the muscle being the same, a unit of
weight.
We learn, then, from the foregoing paragraphs that the work
done by a muscle-nerve preparation will depend not only on the
activity of the nerve and muscle as determined by their own
irritability, but also on the character and mode of application
of the stimulus, on the kind of contraction (whether a single
spasm, or a slowly repeated tetanus or a rapidly repeated tetanus)
on the load itself, and on the size and form of the muscle. Taking
the most favourable circumstances, viz. a well-nourished, lively
preparation, a maximum stimulus causing a rapid tetanus and an
appropriate load, we may determine the maximum work done by a
given weight of muscle, say one gramme. This in the case of the
muscles of the frog has been estimated at about four gram-meters
for one gramme of muscle.
SEC. 5. THE CIECUMSTANCES WHICH DETEEMINE
THE DEGEEE OF lEEITABlLlTY OF MUSCLES AND
NEEVES.
§ 83. A muscle-nerve preparation, at the time that it is re-
moved from the body, possesses a certain degree of irritability, it
responds by a contraction of a certain amount to a stimulus of a
certain strength, applied to the nerve or to the muscle. After a
w^hile, the exact period depending on a variety of circumstances,
the same stimulus produces a smaller contraction, i.e. the irritability
of the preparation has diminished. In other words, the muscle,
or nerve, or both, have become partially ' exhausted ; ' and the
exhaustion subsequently increases, the same stimulus producing
smaller contractions, until at last all irritability is lost, no stimulus
however strong producing any contraction, whether applied to the
nerve or directly to the muscle ; and eventually the muscle, as we
have seen, becomes rigid. The progress of this exhaustion is more
rapid in the nerves than in the muscles ; for some time after the
nerve trunk has ceased to respond to even the strongest stimulus,
contractions may be obtained by applying the stimulus directly to
the muscle. It is much more rapid in the warm blooded than in
the cold blooded animals. The muscles and nerves of the former
lose their irritability, when removed from the body, after a period
varying according to circumstances from a few minutes to two or
three hours ; those of cold blooded animals (or at least of an
amphibian or a reptile) may, under favourable conditions, remain
irritable for two, three, or even more days. The duration of
irritability in warm blooded animals may, however, be considerably
prolonged by reducing the temperature of the body before death.
If with some thin body a sharp blow be struck across a muscle which
has entered into the later stages of exhaustion, a wheal lasting for
several seconds is developed. This wheal appears to be a contraction
wave limited to the part struck, and disappearing very slowly, without
extending to the neighbouring muscular substance. It has been called
10
146 DEGENEEATION OF NERVES. [Book i,
an ' idio-muscula?' ' contraction, because it may be brought out even when
ordinary stimuli have ceased to produce any effect. It may, however, be
accompanied at its beginning by an ordinary contraction. It is readily
produced in the living body on the pectoral and other muscles of persons
suffering from phthisis and other exhausting diseases.
This natural exhaustion and diminution of irritability in
muscles and nerves removed from the body, may be modified, both
in the case of the muscle and of the nerve, by a variety of circum-
stances. Similarly, while the nerve and muscle still remain in the
body, the irritability of the one or of the other may be modified
either in the way of increase or of decrease by certain general
influences, of which the most important are, severance from the
central nervous system, and variations in temperature, in blood
supply, and in functional activity.
The Effects of Severance from the Central Nervous System.
When a nerve, such, for instance, as the sciatic, is divided tn
situ, in the living body, there is first of all observed a slight
increase of irritability, noticeable especially near the cut end ; but
after a while the irritability diminishes, and gradually disappears.
Both the slight initial increase and the subsequent decrease begin
at the cut end, and advance centrifugally towards the peripheral
terminations. This centrifugal feature of the loss of irritability is
often spoken of as the Eitter-Valli law. In a mammal, it may be
two or three days, in a frog, as many, or even more weeks, before
irritability has disappeared from the nerve trunk. It is maintained
in the small (and especially in the intramuscular) branches for
still longer periods.
This centrifugal loss of irritability is the forerunner in the
peripheral portion of the divided nerve of structural changes, which
proceed in a similar centrifugal manner. The medulla first suffers
changes similar to those seen in nerve fibres after removal from the
body ; its double contour and its characteristic indentations be-
come more marked. It then breaks up into small, irregular frag-
ments, or drops, and, as shewn by the behaviour towards staining
reagents, becomes somewhat altered in its chemical nature. The
axis cylinder also breaks up into fragments. Meanwhile, the nuclei
of the neurilemma divide and multiply, and with their multiplica-
tion, a great increase of the protoplasmic material surrounding
them appears to take place ; this, at least, seems to be the origin of
a conspicuous bed of protoplasmic-looking substance in which the
fragments of the medulla and of the axis-cylinder are imbedded.
These fragments, becoming more and more altered in chemical
nature, are now absorbed, the protoplasmic-looking material in-
creasing or not diminishing.
The neurilemma collapses, and so the nerve fibre is reduced to
a strand of protoplasmic material studded with nuclei, and con-
taining drops or globules of fat which are the remains of the
medulla, the fragments of the axis-cylinder having wholly dis-
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 147
appeared. If no regeneration takes place, these nuclei with their
bed eventually disappear.
In the central portion of the divided nerve similar changes may
be traced as far only as the next node of lianvier. Beyond this
the nerve usually remains in a normal condition.
Eegeneration, when it occurs, is apparently carried out by
the peripheral growth of the axis-cylinders of the intact central
portion. It would seem that when the cut ends of the nerve are
close together, the axis-cylinders growing out from the central
portion run into and between the shrunken neurilemmas of the
peripheral portion, and new medulla, at first delicate and inter-
rupted, but subsequently becoming continuous and complete,
makes its appearance in the protoplasmic strands in a centrifugal
order. But the complete history has not as yet been clearly made
out, and much uncertainty still exists as to the exact parts which
the proliferated nuclei and the protoplasmic material referred to
above respectively play in giving rise to the new structures of the
regenerated fibre.
Such a degeneration may be observed to extend down to the very
endings of the nerve in the muscle, including the end-plates, but
•does not at first affect the muscular substance itself. The muscle,
though it has lost all its nervous elements, still remains irritable
towards stimuli applied directly to itself : an additional proof of
the existence of an independent muscular irritability.
For some time the irritabihty of the muscle, as well towards stimuli
applied directly to itself as towards those applied through the impaired
nerve, seems to be diminished ; but after a while a peculiar condition
(to which we have already alluded, § 78) sets in, in which the muscle
is found to be not easily stimulated by single induction-shocks, but to
respond readily to the make or break of a constant current. In fact, it
is said to become even more sensitive to the latter mode of stimulation
than it was when its nerve was intact and functionally active. At the
same time it also becomes more irritable towards direct mechanical
stimuli, and very frequently fibrillar contractions, more or less rhythmic
and apparently of spontaneous origin, though their causation is ob-
scure, make their appearance. This phase of heightened sensitiveness
of a muscle, especially to the constant current, appears to reach its
maximum, in man at about the seventh week after nervous impulses
have ceased, owing to injury to the nerves or nervous centre, to reach
the muscle.
If the muscle thus deprived of its nervous elements be left to
itself, its irritability, however tested, sooner or later diminishes ; but
if the muscle be periodically thrown into contractions by artificial
stimulation with the constant current, the decline of irritability
and attendant loss of nutritive power may be postponed for some
considerable time. But, as far as our experience goes at present,
the artificial stimulation cannot fully replace the natural one, and
sooner or later the muscle, like the nerve, suffers degeneration, loses
148 INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATUEE. [Book i.
all irritability, and ultimately its place is taken by connective
tissue.
§ 84. The influence of temperature. We have already seen
that sudden heat (and the same might be said of cold when
sufficiently intense), applied to a limited part of a nerve or muscle,
as when the nerve or muscle is touched with a hot wire, will
act as a stimulus. It is, however, much more difficult to gene-
rate nervous or muscular impulses by exposing a whole nerve or
muscle to a gradual rise of temperature. Thus, according to most
observers, a nerve belonging to a muscle ^ may be either cooled
to 0° C. or below, or heated to 50° or even 100° C, without dis-
charging any nervous impulses, as shewn by the absence of con-
traction in the attached muscle. The contractions, moreover, may
be absent even when the heating has not been very gradual.
A muscle may be gradually cooled to 0° C, or below, without
any contraction being caused ; but when it is heated to a limit,
which in the case of frog's muscles is about 45°, of mammalian
muscles about 50°, a sudden change takes place : the muscle falls,
at the limiting temperature, into a rigor mortis, which is initiated
by a forcible contraction or at least shortening.
Moderate warmth, e.g. in the frog an increase of temperature
up to somewhat below 45° C, favours both muscular and nervous
irritability. All the molecular processes are hastened and facili-^
tated : the contraction is for a given stimulus greater and more
rapid, i.e. of shorter duration, and nervous impulses are generated
more readily by slight stimuli. Owing to the quickening of the
chemical changes, the supply of new material may prove insuffi-
cient ; hence muscles and nerves removed from the body lose their
irritability more rapidly at a high than at a low temperature.
The gradual application of cold to a nerve produces effects
which differ according to the kind of stimulus employed in testing
the condition of the nerve ; but it may be stated in general that a
low temperature, especially one near to 0°, slackens all the molecu-
lar processes, so that the wave of nervous impulse is lessened and
prolonged, the velocity of its passage being much diminished, e.g.
from 28 meters to 1 metre per sec. At about 0° the irritability
of the nerve disappears altogether.
When a muscle is exposed to similar cold, e.g. to a tempera-
ture very little above zero, the contractions are remarkably pro-
longed ; they are diminished in height at the same time, but not
in proportion to the increase of their duration. Exposed to a
temperature of zero or below, muscles soon lose their irritability,
without, however, undergoing rigor mortis. After an exposure of
not more than a few seconds to a temperature not much below
zero, they may be restored, by gradual warmth, to an irritable con-
dition, even though they may appear to have been frozen. When
1 The action of cold and heat on sensory nerves will be considered in the later
portion of the work.
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 149
kept frozen, however, for some few minutes, or when exposed for a
less time to temperatures of several degrees below zero, their
irritability is permanently destroyed. When after this they are
thawed, they are at first supple and, as we have seen, may be made
to yield muscle plasma ; but they very speedily enter into rigor
mortis of a most pronounced character.
§ 85. The injiucnce of Mood sujpply. When a muscle still
within the body is deprived by any means of its proper blood
supply, as when the blood vessels going to it are ligatured, the
same gradual loss of irritability and final appearance of rigor
mortis are observed as in muscles removed from the body. Thus,
if the abdominal aorta be ligatured, the muscles of the lower
limbs lose their irritability, and finally become rigid. So, also, in
systemic death, when the blood supply to the muscles is cut off by
the cessation of the circulation, loss of irritability ensues, and rigor
mortis eventually follows. In a human corpse the muscles of the
body enter into rigor mortis in a fixed order : first those of the jaw
and neck, then those of the trunk, next those of the arms, and
lastly those of the legs. The rapidity with which rigor mortis
comes on after death varies considerably, being determined both by
external circumstances and by the internal conditions of the body.
Thus external warmth hastens and cold retards the onset. After
great muscular exertion, as in hunted animals, and when death
closes wasting diseases, rigor mortis in most cases comes on rapidly.
As a general rule, it may be said that the later it is in making its
appearance, the more pronounced it is, and the longer it lasts ; but
there are many exceptions, and when the state is recognized as
being fundamentally due to a clotting of the muscle substance, it
is easy to understand that the amount of rigidity, i.e. the amount
of the clot, and the rapidity of the onset, i.e. the quickness with
which clotting takes place, may vary independently. The rapidity
of onset after muscular exercise and wasting disease may perhaps
be, in part, dependent on an increase of acid reaction, which is
produced under those circumstances in the muscle, for this seems
to be favourable to the clotting of the muscle plasma. When
rigor mortis has once become thoroughly established in a muscle
through deprivation of blood, it cannot be removed by any sub-
sequent supply of blood. Thus, when the abdominal aorta has
remained ligatured until the lower limbs have become completely
rigid, untying the ligature will not restore the muscles to an
irritable condition ; the return of the blood stream simply hastens
the decomposition of the dead tissues by supplying them with
oxygen, and, in the case of the mammal, with warmth also. A
muscle, however, may acquire as a whole a certain amount of
rigidity on account of some of the fibres becoming rigid, while the
remainder, though they have lost their irritability, have not yet
advanced into rigor mortis. At such a juncture a renewal of the
blood stream may restore the irritability of those fibres which
150 INFLUENCE OF ACTIVITY. [Book i.
were not yet rigid, and thus appear to do away with rigor mortis ;.
yet it appears that in such cases the fibres which have actually
become rigid never regain their irritability, but undergo degenera-
tion.
Mere loss of irritability, even though complete, if stopping short
of the actual clotting of the muscle substance, may be with
care removed. Thus if a stream of blood be sent artificially
through the vessels of a separated (mammalian) muscle, the irrita-
bility may be maintained for a very considerable time. On stopping
the artificial circulation, the irritability diminishes, and in time
entirely disappears ; if, however, the stream be at once resumed,,
the irritability will be recovered. By regulating the flow, the
irritability may be lowered and (up to a certain limit) raised at
pleasure. From the epoch, however, of interference with the normal
blood stream, there is a gradual diminution in the responses to
stimuli, and ultimately the muscle loses all its irritability and
becomes rigid, however well the artificial circulation be kept up.
This failure is probably in great part due to the blood sent through
the tissues not being in a perfectly normal condition ; but we have
at present very little information on this point. Indeed, with
respect to the quality of blood thus essential to the maintenance
or restoration of irritability, our knowledge is definite with regard
to one factor only, viz. the oxygen. If blood deprived of its oxygen
be sent through a muscle removed from the body, irritability, so
far from being maintained, seems rather to have its disappearance
hastened. In fact, if venous blood continues to be driven through
a muscle, the irritability of the muscle is lost even more rapidly
than in the entire absence of blood. It would seem that venous
blood is more injurious than none at all. If exhaustion be not
carried too far, the muscle may, however, be revived by a proper
supply of oxygenated blood.
The influence of blood supply cannot be so satisfactorily studied
in the case of nerves as in the case of muscles ; there can, however,
be little doubt that the effects are analogous.
§ 86. The influence of functional activity. This, too, is more
easily studied in the case of muscles than of nerves.
When a muscle within the body is unused, it wastes ; when
used, it (within certain limits) grows. Both these facts shew that
the nutrition of a muscle is favourably affected by its functional
activity. Part of this may be an indirect effect of the increased
blood supply, which occurs when a muscle contracts. When a
nerve going to a muscle is stimulated, the blood vessels of the
muscle dilate. Hence, at the time of the contraction more blood
flows through the muscle, and this increased flow continues for
some little while after the contraction of the muscle has ceased.
But, apart from the blood supply, it is probable that the ex-
haustion caused by a contraction is immediately followed by a
reaction favourable to the nutrition of the muscle : and this is a
CiiAi'. II.] THE CUNTKACTILE TISSUES. 151
reason, possibly the chief reason, why a muscle is increased by use ;
that is to say, the loss of substance and energy caused by the
contraction is subsequently more than made up for by increased
metabolism during the following period (jf rest.
Whether there be a third factor, whether muscles, for instance,
are governed by so-called trophic nerves, which affect their nutri-
tion directly in some other way than by influencing either their
blood supply or their activity, must at present be left undecided.
A muscle, even within the body, after prolonged action is
fatigued, i.e. a stronger stimulus is required to produce the same
contraction ; in other words, its irritability may be lessened by
functional activity. Whether functional activity, therefore, is in-
jurious or beneficial depends on its amount in relation to the
condition of the muscle. It may be here remarked that as a muscle
becomes more and more fatigued, stimuli of short duration, such as
induction-shocks, sooner lose their efficacy than do stimuli of longer
duration, such as the break and make of the constant current.
It is worthy of notice that a motor nerve is far less susceptible
of being fatigued by artificial stimulation than is a muscle ; in
fact, it seems extremely difficult to tire a nerve by mere stimula-
tion. In an animal poisoned by urari, the sciatic nerve may be
stimulated continuously with powerful currents for even several
hours, and yet remain irritable. So long as the urari is produc-
ing its usual effect, the muscles sheltered by it are not thrown
into contraction by the stimulation of the nerve, and so are not
fatigued ; as the effect of the urari passes off, contractions make
their appearance in response to the stimulation of the sciatic
nerve, shewing that this, in spite of its having been stimulated
for so long a time, has not been exhausted ; and other experi-
ments point to a similar conclusion. It would seem that the
molecular processes constituting a nervous impulse, uiilike those
constituting a muscular contraction, are of such a nature, or take
place in such a way; that after the development of one impulse
the substance of the nerve fibre is at once ready for the develop-
ment of a second impulse.
The sense of fatigue of which, after prolonged or unusual exer-
tion, we are conscious in our own bodies, is probably of complex
origin, and its nature, like that of the normal muscular sense, of
which we shall have to speak hereafter, is at present not thoroughly
understood. It seems to be, in the first place, the result of changes
in the muscles themselves, but is possibly also caused by changes in
the nervous apparatus concerned in muscular action, and especially
in those parts of the central nervous system which are concerned
in the production of voluntary impulses. In any case, it cannot be
taken as an adequate measure of the actual fatigue of the muscles ;
for a man who says he is absolutely exhausted may, under excite-
ment, perform a very large amount of work with his already weary
muscles. The will, in fact, rarely if ever calls forth the greatest
contractions of which the muscles are capable.
152 CAUSES OF EXHAUSTION. [Book i.
. Absolute (temporary) exhaustion of the muscles, so that the
strongest stimuli produce no contraction, may be produced even
within the body by artificial stimulation : recovery takes place
on rest. Out of the body absolute exhaustion takes place readily.
Here also recovery may take place. Whether in any given case it
does occur or not, is determined by the amount of contraction
causing the exhaustion, and by the previous condition of the
muscle. In all cases, recovery is hastened by renewal (natural or
artificial) of the blood stream.
The more rapidly the contractions follow each other, the less
the interval between any two contractions, the more rapid the
exhaustion. A certain number of single induction-shocks repeated
rapidly, say every second or oftener, bring about exhaustive loss
of irritability more rapidly than the same number of shocks
repeated less rapidly, for instance every 5 or 10 seconds. Hence
tetanus is a ready means of producing exhaustion.
In exhausted muscles the elasticity is much diminished ; the
tired muscle returns less readily to its natural length than does
the fresh one.
The exhaustion due to contraction may be the result : — Either
of the consumption of the store of really contractile material
present in the muscle ; or of the accumulation in the tissue
of the products of the act of contraction ; or of both of these
causes.
The restorative influence of rest, in the case of a muscle
removed from the circulation, may be explained by supposing that,
during the repose, either the internal changes of the tissue
manufacture new explosive material out of the comparatively raw
material already present in the fibres, or the directly hurtful pro-
ducts of the act of contraction undergo changes by which they are
converted into comparatively inert bodies. A stream of fresh
blood may exert its restorative influence not only by quickening
the above two events, but also by carrying off the immediate waste
products, while at the same time it brings new raw material. It is
not known to what extent each of these parts is played. That the
products of contraction are exhausting in their effects, is shewn by
the facts that the injection of a solution of the muscle-extractives
into the vessels of a muscle produces exhaustion, and that exhausted
muscles are recovered by the simple injection of inert saline
solutions into their blood vessels. But the matter has not yet been
fully worked out.
One important element brought by fresh blood is oxygen. This,
as we have seen, is not necessary for the carrying out of the actual
contraction, and yet is essential to the maintenance of irritability.
The oxygen absorbed by the muscle apparently enters in some
peculiar way into the formation of that complex explosive material
the decomposition of which in the act of contraction, though it
gives rise to carbonic acid and other products of oxidation, is not
in itself a process of direct oxidation.
SEC. 6. THE ENERGY OF MUSCLE AND NERVE, AND
THE NATURE OF MUSCULAR AND NERVOUS ACTION.
§ 87. We may briefly recapitulate some of the chief results
arrived at in the preceding pages as follows.
A muscular contraction itself is essentially a translocation of
molecules, a change of form not of bulk. We cannot, however, say
anything definite as to the nature of this translocation or as to
the way in which it is brought about. For instance, we cannot
satisfactorily explain the connection between the striation of a mus-
cular fibre and a muscular contraction. Nearly all rapidly contract-
ing muscles are striated, and we must suppose that the striation is
of some use ; but it is not essential to the carrying out of a
contraction, for, as we shall see, the contraction of a non-striated
muscle is fundamentally the same as that of a striated muscle. But
whatever be the exact way in which the translocation is effected, it
is in some way or other the result of a chemical change, of an
explosive decomposition of certain parts of the muscle substance.
The energy which is expended in the mechanical work done by the
muscle has its source in the energy latent in the muscle substance,
and set free by that explosion. Concerning the nature of that ex-
plosion we only know at present that it results in the production
of carbonic acid and in an increase of the acid reaction, and that
heat is set free as well as the specific muscular energy. There is
a general parallelism between the extent of metabolism taking
place, and the amount of energy set free ; the greater the de-
velopment of carbonic acid, the larger is the contraction and the
higher the temperature.
It is important to remember that, as we have already urged,
relaxation, the return to the original length, is an essential
part of the whole contraction no less than the shortening itself.
It is true that the return to the original length is assisted by the
stretching exerted by the load, and, in the case of muscles within
the living body, is secured by the action of antagonistic muscles or
154 THE ENERGY OF MUSCLE. [Book i.
by various anatomical relations ; but the fact that the completeness,
and rapidity of the return are dependent on the condition of the
muscle, — that is, on the complex changes within the muscle, mak-
ing up what we call its nutrition, the tired muscle relaxing much
more slowly than the untired muscle, — shews that the relaxation
is due in the main to intrinsic processes going on in the muscle
itself, processes which we might characterize as the reverse of
those of contraction. In fact, to put the matter forcibly, adopt-
ing the illustration used in § 57, and regarding relaxation as
a change of molecules from a ' formation ' of one hundred in
two lines of fifty each, to a formation of ten columns each
ten deep, it would be possible to support the thesis that the
really active forces in muscle are those striving to maintain the
latter formation in columns, and that the falling into double lines,
that is to say the contraction, is the result of these forces ceasing to
act ; in other words, that the contracted state of the muscular fibre
is what may be called the natural state, that the relaxed condition
is only brought about at the expense of changes counteracting the
natural tendencies of the fibre. Without going so far as this, how-
ever, we may still recognize that both contraction and relaxation
are the result of changes which, since they seem to be of a chemical
nature in the one case, are probably so in the other also. And
though in the absence of exact knowledge it is dangerous to specu-
late, we may imagine, that these chemical events, leading tO'
relaxation or elongation, are of an opposite or antagonistic character
to those whose issue is contraction.
It has not been possible hitherto to draw up a complete equa-
tion between the latent energy of the material, and the two forms
of actual energy set free, heat and movement. The proportion of
energy given out as heat to that taking on the form of work
varies under different circumstances ; and it would appear that on
the whole a muscle would not be much more efficient than a
steam-engine in respect to the conversion of chemical action into
mechanical work, were it not that in warm blooded animals the
heat given out is not, as in the steam-engine, mere loss, but, by keep-
ing up the animal temperature, serves many subsidiary purposes. It
might be supposed that in a contraction by which work is actually
done, as compared with the same contraction when no work is
done, there is a diminution of the increase of temperature corre-
sponding to the amount of work done ; that is to say, that the
mechanical work is done at the expense of energy which other-
wise would go out as heat. Probable as this may seem it has not.
yet been experimentally verified.
Of the exact nature of the chemical changes which underlie a
muscular contraction we know very little, the most important fact
being that the contraction is not the outcome of a direct oxidation,
but the splitting up or explosive decomposition of some complex
substance or substances. The muscle does consume oxygen, and
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 155
the products of muscular metabolism are, in the ends, products of
oxidation, but the oxygen appears to be introduced not at the
moment of explosion, but at some earlier date. As to the real
nature of this explosive material, we are as yet in the dark ; we do
not know for certain whether we ought to regard it as a single
substance (in the chemical sense), or as a mixture of more
substances than one. We may, however, perhaps be allowed pro-
visionally to speak of it at all events as a single substance and to
call it ' contractile material,' or we may adopt a term which has
been suggested, and call it ino(/cn.
We shall have occasion to point out, later on, that the living
substance of certain cells is able to manufacture and to lodge in the
substance of the cell relatively considerable quantities of fat, where-
by the cell becomes a fat cell, the fat so formed and lodged being
subsequently, by some means or other, discharged from the cell.
We shall also have occasion to point out that, in a somewhat similar
way, the living material of certain gland cells manufactures and
lodges in itself certain substances which, when the cell ' secretes,'
undergo more or less change and are ejected from the cell. These
substances appear to be products of the activity of the living sub-
stance of the cell, and to be so related to that living substance that,
though discontinuous with it, and merely lodged in it, they are still
capable of being so influenced by it as to undergo change more or
less sudden, more or less profound. And we may, resting on the
analogy of these fat cells and gland cells, suppose that the living
substance of the muscle manufactures and lodges in itself this
contractile material, or inogen, which is capable of being so in-
fluenced by the living substance as to undergo an explosive
decomposition. But we here meet with a difficulty.
The muscular fibre as a whole is eminently a nitrogenous proteid
body ; the muscular fil^res of the body form the greater part of the
whole proteid mass of the body. Moreover, the ordinary continued
metabolism of the muscular fibre as a whole is essentially a nitro-
genous metabolism; as we shall have to point out later on, the
muscles undoubtedly supply a great part of that large nitrogenous
waste which appears in the urine as urea ; the nitrogenous meta-
bolism of the muscle during the twenty-four hours must, therefore,
be considerable, and under certain circumstances, as for instance
during fever, this nitrogenous metabolism may be still further
largely increased
On the other hand, as we have already said, the evidence so
far goes to shew that the act of contraction, the explosive decom-
position of the inogen, does not increase the nitrogenous metabolism
of the muscle. Shall we conclude, then, that the inogen is essen-
tially a non-nitrogenous body lodged in the nitrogenous muscle
substance ? Not only have we no positive evidence "of this, but the
analogy between contraction and rigor mortis is directly opposed to
such a view ; for it is almost impossible to resist the conclusion that
156 THE ENEEGY OF MUSCLE AND NEEVE. [Book i.
the stuff which gives rise to the myosin clot, the carbonic acid, and
lactic acid, or other acid-producing substances of rigor mortis, is
the same stuff which gives rise to the carbonic acid and lactic
acid, or other acid-producing substances of a contraction. The
difference between the two seems to be that in the contraction the
nitrogenous product of the decomposition of the inogen does not
appear as solid myosin, but assumes the form of some soluble
proteid. The important fact concerning the two acts, rigor mortis
and contraction, is that, while the great non-nitrogenous product
of the decomposition of the inogen, viz. carbonic acid, is simple
waste matter containing no energy, fit only to be cast out of the
body at once (and the same is nearly true of the other non-nitro-
genous product, lactic acid), the nitrogenous product, being a
proteid, is still a body containing much energy, which in the case
of the living muscle may, after the contraction, be utilized by the
muscle itself or, being carried away into the blood stream, by
some other parts of the body.
But if this view be correct, the ordinary metabolism going on
while the muscle is at rest must differ in kind as well as, and per-
haps more than, in degree from the metabolism of contraction ; for
the former, as we have just said, is essentially a nitrogenous meta-
bolism, largely contributing to the nitrogenous waste of the body
at large.
Whether in the muscle at rest this nitrogenous metabolism is
confined to that part of the muscle in which the inogen is lodged,
and does not involve the inogen itself, or whether the inogen as well
as the rest of the fibre undergoes metabolism when the muscle is at
rest, going off in puffs, so to speak, instead of in a large explosion,
its nitrogenous factors being at the same time involved in the
change, are questions which we cannot at present settle.
§ 88. While in muscle the chemical events are so prominent that
we cannot help considering a muscular contraction to be essentially
a chemical process, with electrical changes as attendant phenomena
only, the case is different with nerves. Here the electrical pheno-
mena completely overshadowed the chemical. Our knowledge of the
chemistry of nerves is at present of the scantiest, and the little we
know as to the chemical changes of nervous substance is gained by
the study of the central nervous organs rather than of the nerves.
We find that the irritability of the former is closely dependent on
an adequate supply of oxygen, and we may infer from this that in
nervous as in muscular substance a metabolism, of in the main an
oxidative character, is the real cause of the development of energy ;
and the axis-cylinder, which, as we have seen, is most probably the
active element of a nerve-fibre, undoubtedly resembles in many of its
chemical features the substance of a muscular fibre. But we have as
yet no satisfactory experimental evidence that the passage of a
nervous impulse along a nerve is the result, like the contraction of a
muscular fibre, of chemical changes,- and like it accompanied by an
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 157
evolution of heat. On the other hand, the electric phenomena are so
prominent that some have been tempted to regard a nervous impulse
as essentially an electrical change ; and this view is supported by
the facts mentioned above (§ 86) as to the nerve not being
fatigued by work. But it must be remembered that the actual
energy set free in a nervous impulse is, so to speak, insignificant,
so that chemical changes too slight to be recognized by the means
at present at our disposal would amply suffice to provide all the
energy set free. On the other hand, the rate of transmission of a
nervous impulse, putting aside other features, is alone sufficient
to prove that it is something quite different from an ordinary
electric current.
The curious disposition of the end-plates, and their remarkable
analogy with the electric organs which are found in certain animals,
has suggested the view that the passage of a nervous impulse from
the nerve fibre into the muscular substance, is of the nature of an
electric discharge. But these matters are too difficult and too
abstruse to be discussed here.
It may, however, be worth while to remind the reader that in
every contraction of a muscular fibre, the actual change of form is
preceded by invisible changes propagated all over the fibre, and
that these changes resemble in their features the nervous impulse
of which they are, so to speak, the continuation rather than the
contraction of which they are the forerunners, and to which they
give rise. So that a muscle, even putting aside the visible termi-
nations of the nerve, is fundamentally a muscle and a nerve
besides.
SEC. 7. ON SOME OTHEE FORMS OF CONTRACTILE
TISSUE.
Plain, Smooth, or Unstriated Muscular Tissue.
§ 89. This, in vertebrates at all events, rarely occurs in isolated
masses or muscles, as does striated muscular tissue, but is usually-
found taking part in the structure of complex organs, such, for
instance, as the intestines ; hence the investigation of its proper-
ties is beset with many difficulties.
It is usually arranged in sheets, composed of flattened bundles
or bands bound together by connective tissue carrying blood vessels,
lymphatics and nerves. Some of these bundles or bands may be
split up into smaller bands, similarly united to each other by con-
nective tissue, but in many cases the whole sheet being thin is made
up directly of small bands. Each small band is composed of a
number of elementary fibres or fibre cells, which, in a certain sense,
are analogous to the striated elementary fibres, but in many
respects differ widely from them.
Each unstriated elementary fibre is a minute object, from 50 fx
to 200 /x in length, and from 5 /x to 10 yu, in breadth ; it is, therefore,
in size, of a wholly different order from a striated fibre. It is fusi-
form or spindle-shaped, somewhat flattened in the middle, and
tapering to a point at the ends, which in some cases are branched ;
but the exact form of the fibre will differ according as the muscle
is in a state of contraction or relaxation.
Midway between the two ends and in the centre of the fusiform
Taody lies a nucleus, which, in a normal condition, is elliptical in out-
line, with its long axis lying lengthwise, but which under the
influence of reagents is very apt to become rod-shaped ; hence in
prepared specimens the presence of these rod-shaped nuclei is very
characteristic of plain muscular tissue.
The nucleus has the ordinary characters of a nacleus, and very
frequently two nucleoli are conspicuous. Around the nucleus is
gathered a small quantity of granular protoplasm, like that
around the nuclei of a striated fibre, and this is continued along
the axis of the fibre for some distance from each pole of the
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 159
nucleus, gradually tapering away, and so forming a slender granular
core in the median portion of the fibre.
The rest of the fibre, forming its chief part, is composed of a
transparent but somewhat refractive substance, wliich is either
homogeneous or exhibits a delicate longitudinal fibrillation ; this is
the muscle substance of the fibre, and corresponds to the muscle
substance of the striated fibre, but is not striated. Sometimes
the whole fibre is thrown into a series of transverse wrinkles, which
give it a striated appearance, but this is a very different striation
from that produced by an alternation of dim and bright Ijands.
No such alternation of bands is to be seen in the plain muscular
fibre; the whole of the substance of the fibre around the nucleus
and core is homogeneous, or at least exhibits no differentation be-
yond that into fibrilhe and interfibrillar substance, and even this
distinction is doubtful.
The fibre has a sharp, clear outline, but is not limited by any
distinct sheath corresponding to the sarcolemma, at least according
to most observers.
It is obvious that the plain muscular fibre is a nucleated cell,
the cell-substance of which has become differentiated into con-
tractile substance, the cell otherwise being but slightly changed ;
whereas the much larger striated fibre is either a number of cells
fused together, or a cell which has undergone multiplication in so
far that its nucleus has given rise to several nuclei, but in which no
division of cell-substance has taken place.
A number of such fusiform nucleated cells or fibres or fibre
cells are united together, not by connective tissue but by a peculiar
proteid cement substance, into a flat band or bundle, the tapering
end of one fibre dovetailing in between the bodies of other fibres.
So long as this cement substance is intact, it is very difficult to
isolate an individual fibre, but various reagents will dissolve or
lessen this cement, and then the fibres separate. Sometimes the
surface of the cell is not smooth, but thrown lengthwise into
ridges, the ridges of one cell abutting on those of its neighbours ;
in such cases, the amount of cement substance seems scanty.
Small, flat bands, thus formed of fibres cemented together, are
variously arranged by means of connective tissue, sometimes into a
plexus, sometimes into thicker, larger bands, which in turn may be
bound up, as we have said, into sheets of varying thickness.
In the plexus, of course, the bands run in various directions,
but in the sheets, or membranes, they follow for the most part the
same direction, and a thin, transverse section of a somewhat thick
sheet presents a number of smaller or larger areas, corresponding
to the smaller or larger bands which are cut across. The limits
of each area are more or less clearly defined by the connective
tissue, in which blood vessels may be seen, the area itself being
composed of a number of oval outlines, the sections of the flattened
individual fibres ; in hardened specimens, the outlines may from
160 STEUCTURE OF PLAIN MUSCLE. [Book i.
mutual pressure appear polygonal. In the centre of some of these
sections of fibres the nucleus may be seen, but it will, of course, be
absent from those fibres in the which plane of section has passed
either above or below the nucleus. When a thin sheet of plain
muscle is spread out or teased out under the microscope, the
bands may also be recognised, and at the torn ends of some of
the bands the individual fibres may be seen projecting after the
fashion of a palisade.
Blood vessels and lymphatics are carried by the connective
tissue, and form capillary networks and lymphatic plexuses round
the smaller bands.
§ 90. The arrangement of the nerves in unstriated muscle differs
from that in striated muscle. Whereas in striated muscle me-
dullated fibres coming direct from the anterior roots of spinal
nerves predominate, in plain muscle non-medullated fibres are most
abundant ; in fact, the nerves going to plain muscles are not only
small, but are almost exclusively composed of non-medullated fibres,
and come to the muscle from the so-called sympathetic system.
Passing into the connective tissue between the bundles, the nerves
divide, and, joining again, form a plexus around the bundles ;
that is to say, a small twig, consisting of a few or perhaps only
one axis-cylinder, coming from one branch, will run alongside of or
join a similar small twig coming from another branch ; the indivi-
dual axis-cylinders, however, do not themselves coalesce. From such
primary plexuses, in which a few meduUated fibres are present
among the non-medullated fibres, are given off still finer, ' inter-
mediate ' plexuses, consisting exclusively of non-medullated fibres ;
these embrace the smaller bundles of muscular fibres. The
branches of these plexuses may consist of a single axis-cylinder, or
may even be filaments corresponding to several, or to a few only,
of the fibrillse of which an axis-cylinder is supposed to be
composed. Prom these intermediate plexuses are given off single
fibrillse, or very small bundles of fibrillse, which, running in the
cement substance between the individual fibres, form a fine net-
work around the individual fibres, which network differs from the
plexuses just spoken of inasmuch as some of the filaments com-
posing it appear to coalesce. The ultimate ending of this network
has not yet been conclusively traced ; but it seems probable
that fibrils from the network terminate in small knobs, or swellings,
lying on the substance of the muscular fibres, somewhat after the
fashion of minute end-plates.
A similar termination of nerves in a plexus, or network, is met
with in other tissues, and is not confined to non-medullated fibres.
A medullated fibre may end in a plexus, and when it does so loses
first its medulla and subsequently its neurilemma, the plexus
becoming ultimately like that formed by a non-medullated fibre, and
consisting of attenuated axis -cylinders with thickenings, and some-
times with nuclei, at the nodal points.
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. IGl
§ 91- So far as we know, plain muscular tissue in its chemical
features resembles striated muscular tissue. It contains albumin,
some forms of globulin, and antecedents of myosin which upon the
death of the fibres become myosin; for plain muscular tissue after
death becomes rigid, losing its extensibility, and probably becoming
acid, though the acidity is not so marked as in striated muscle.
Kreatin has also been found, as well as glycogen, and, indeed, it
seems probable that the whole metabolism of plain muscular tissue
is fundamentally the same as that of the striated muscles.
§ 92. In their general physical features plain muscular fibres
also resemble striated fibres, and like them they are irritable and
contractile ; when stimulated they contract. The fibres vary in
natural length in different situations, those of the blood vessels, for
instance, being shorter and stouter than those of the intestine ; but
in the same situation the fibres may also be found in one of two
different conditions. In the one case the fibres are long and thin ;
in the other case they are reduced in length, it may be to one half
or even to one third, and are correspondingly thicker, broader
and less pointed at the ends, their total bulk remaining unaltered.
In the former case they are relaxed or elongated ; in the latter case
they are contracted.
The facts of the contraction of plain muscular tissue may be
studied in the intestine, the muscular coat of which consists of an
outer thin sheet, composed of fibres and bundles of fibres disposed
longitudinally, and of an inner, much thicker sheet of fibres disposed
circularly; in the ureter a similar arrangement of two coats obtains.
If a mechanical or electrical (or indeed any other) stimulus be
brought to bear on a part of a fresh, living, still warm intestine (the
small intestine is the best to work with), a circular contraction is
seen to take place at the spot stimulated ; the intestine seems
nipped in ringwise, as if tied round with an invisible cord ; and the
part so constricted, previously vascular and red, becomes pale and
l3loodless. The individual filDres of the circular coat in the region
stimulated have each become shorter, and the total effect of the
shortening of the multitude of fibres, all having the same circular
disposition, is to constrict or narrow the lumen or tube of the in-
testine. The longitudinally disposed fibres of the outer longitudinal
coat in a similar manner contract or shorten in a longitudinal
direction, but this coat being relatively much thinner than the
circular coat, the longitudinal contraction is altogether over-
shadowed by the circular contraction. A similar mode of contrac-
tion is also seen when the ureter is similarly stimulated.
The contraction thus induced is preceded by a very long latent
period, and lasts a very considerable time, — in fact several seconds,
after which relaxation slowly takes place. We may say, then, that
over the circularly dispersed fibres of the intestine (or ureter) at
the spot in question there has passed a contraction-wave remarkable
for its long latent period, and for the slowness of its development,
11
162 CONTRACTION OF PLAIN MUSCLES. [Book i.
the wave being propagated from fibre to fibre. From the spot so
directly stimulated, the contraction may pass also as a wave (with
a length of 1 cm. and a velocity of from 20 to 30 millimetres a
second in the ureter) along the circular coat both upwards and
downwards. The longitudinal fibres at the spot stimulated are, as
we have said, also thrown into contractions of altogether similar
character, and a wave of contraction may thus also travel longitudi-
nally along the longitudinal coat both upwards and downwards.
It is evident, however, that the wave of contraction of which we are
now speaking is in one respect different from the wave of contrac-
tion treated of in dealing with striated muscle. In the latter case
the contraction-wave is a simple wave, propagated along the in-
dividual fibre and starting from the end-plate, or, in the case of
direct stimulation, from the part of the fibre first affected by the
stimulus ; we have no evidence that the contraction of one fibre
can communicate contraction to neighbouring fibres, or, indeed, in
any way influence neighbouring fibres. In the case of the intestine
or ureter, the wave is complex, being the sum of the contraction-
waves of several fibres engaged in different phases, and is propagated
from fibre to fibre, both in the direction of the fibres, as when the
whole circumference of the intestine is engaged in the contraction,
or when the wave travels longitudinally along the longitudinal coat,
and also in a direction at right angles to the axes of the fibres, as
when the contraction-wave travels lengthways along the circular
coat of the intestine, or when it passes across a breadth of the
longitudinal coat ; that is to say, the changes leading to contraction
are communicated not only in a direct manner across the cement
substance, uniting the fibres of a bundle, but also in an indirect
manner, probably by means of nerve fibres, from bundle to bundle
across the connective tissue between them. Moreover, it is obvious
that even the contraction-wave which passes along a single un-
striated fibre differs from that passing along a striated fibre, in
the very great length both of its latent period, and of the duration
of its contraction. Hence, much more even than in the case of a
striated muscle, the whole of each fibre must be occupied by the
contraction-wave, and, indeed, be in nearly the same phase of the
contraction at the same time.
Waves of contraction thus passing along the circular and longi-
tudinal coats of the intestine constitute what is called peristaltic
action.
Like the contractions of striated muscle, the contractions of
plain muscles may be started by stimulation of nerves going
to the part, the nerves supplying plain muscular tissue, running
for the most part, as we have said, in the so-called sympathetic
system, but being, as we shall see, ultimately connected with
the spinal cord or brain. Here, however, we come upon an im-
portant distinction between the striated skeletal muscles, and
the plain muscles of the viscera. As a general rule the skeletal
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 163
muscles are thrown into contraction only ])y nervous impulses
reaching them along their nerves ; spontaneous movements of
the skeletal muscles, that is, contractions arising out of changes
in the muscles themselves are extremely rare, and when they
occur are abnormal ; so-called ' cramps,' for instance, which are
prolonged tetanic contractions of skeletal muscles independent of
the will, though their occurrence is largely due to the condition of
the muscle itself, generally the result of overwork, are probably
actually started by nervous impulses reaching them from without.
On the other hand, the plain muscles of the viscera, of the intestine,
uterus and ureter, for instance, and of the blood vessels, very fre-
quently fall into contractions, and so carry out movements of the
organs to which they belong quite independently of the central
nervous system. These organs exhibit ' spontaneous ' movements
quite apart from the will, quite apart from the central nervous
system, and under favourable circumstances continue to do this for
some time after they have been entirely isolated and removed from
the body. So slight indeed is the connection between the move-
ments of organs and parts supplied with plain muscular fibres, and
the will, that these muscular fibres have sometimes been called
involuntary muscles ; but this name is undesirable since some
muscles, consisting entirely of plain muscular fibres {e.g. the ciliary
muscles by which the eye is accommodated for viewing objects at
different distances), are directly under the influence of the will,
and some muscles composed of striated fibres, (e.g. those of the
heart) are wholly removed from the influence of the will.
We shall best study, however, the facts relating to the move-
ments of parts provided with plain muscular fibres when we come
to consider the parts themselves.
Like the skeletal muscles, whose nervous elements have been
rendered functionally incapable (§ 78), plain muscles are much
more sensitive to the making and breaking of a constant current
than to induction-shocks ; a current, when very brief, like that of
an induction-shock, produces little or no effect.
The plain muscles seem to be remarkably susceptible to the
influences of temperature. When exposed to low temperatures
they readily lose the power of contracting ; thus the movements
of the intestine are said to cease at a temperature below 19° C.
Variations in temperature have also very marked effect on the
duration and extent of the contractions. Associated probably
with this susceptibility is the rapidity with which plain muscular
fibres, even in cold blooded vertebrates, lose their irritability
after removal from the body and severance from their blood-
supply. Thus while, as we have seen, the skeletal muscles of a
frog can be experimented upon for many hours (or even for two
or three days) after removal from the body, and the skeletal
muscles of a mammal for a much less but still considerable time,
it is matter of very great difficulty to secure the continuance of
164 CILIARY MOVEMENT. [Book i.
movements of the intestine or of other organs supplied with plain
muscular fibres, even in the case of the frog, for any long period
after removal from the body.
The contraction of plain muscular fibres is, as we said, very slow
in its development and very long in its duration, even when started
by a momentary stimulus, such as a single induction-shock. The
contraction after a stimulation often lasts so long as to raise the
question, whether what has been produced is not a single contrac-
tion but a tetanus. Tetanus, however, that is, the fusion of a series
of contractions, seems to be of rare occurrence, though probably it
may be induced, in plain muscular tissue ; but the ends of tetanus
are gained by a kind of contraction which, rare or at least not
prominent in skeletal muscle, becomes of great importance in plain
muscular tissue, by a kind of contraction called a tonic contraction.
The subject is one not without difficulties, but it would appear that
a plain muscular fibre may remain for a very considerable time in
a state of contraction, the amount of shortening thus maintained
being either small or great : it is then said to be in a state of
tonic contraction. This is especially seen in the case of the plain
muscular tissue of the arteries, and we shall have to return to this
matter in dealing with the circulation.
The muscular tissue which enters into the construction of the
heart is of a peculiar nature, being on the one hand striated, and
on the other in some respects similar to plain muscular tissue ; but
this we shall consider in dealing with the heart itself.
Ciliary Movement.
§ 93. Nearly all the movements of the body which are not due
to physical causes, such as gravity, the diffusion of liquids &c., are
carried out by muscles, either striated or plain ; but some small
and yet important effects in the way of movement are produced
by the action of cilia, and by those changes of form which are
called amoeboid.
Cilia are generally appendages of epithelial cells. An epithelium
consists of a number of cells, arranged in a layer, one, two or more
cells deep, the cell-bodies of the constituent cells being in contact
with each other, or united merely by a minimal amount of cement
substance, not separated by an appreciable quantity of intercellular
material. As a rule no connective tissue or blood vessel passes
between the cells, but the layer of cells rests on a basis of vascular
connective tissue, from which it is usually separated by a more or
less definite basement membrane, and from the blood vessels of
which its cells draw their nourishment. The cells vary in form,
and the cell body round the nucleus may be protoplasmic in
appearance, or may be differentiated in various ways. An epithe-
lium bearing cilia is called a ciliated epithelium. Various passages
of the body, such as, in the mammal, parts of the nasal chambers
CiiAr. II.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 1G5
and of the respiratory and generative passages, are lined with
ciliated epithelium, and by the action of cilia, fluid containing
various particles and generally more or less viscid is driven
outwards along the passages towards the exterior of the body.
A typical epithelium cell, such as may be found in the trachea,
is generally somewhat wedge-shaped with its broad end circular
or, rather, polygonal in outline, forming part of the free surface
of the epithelium, and with its narrow end, which may be a blunt
point or may be somewhat branched and irregular, plunged among
smaller subjacent cells of the epithelium, or reaching to the con-
nective tissue below.
The cell-body is, over the greater part of its extent, composed
of protoplasmic substance with the usual granular appearance.
At about the lower third of the cell is placed, with its long axis
vertical, an oval nucleus, having the ordinary characters of a
nucleus. So far the ciliated cell resembles an ordinary epithelium
cell ; but the free surface of the cell is formed by a layer of
hyaline transparent somewhat refractive substance, which, when
the cell is seen, as usual, in profile, appears as a hyaline refrac-
tive band or border. From this border there project outward a
variable number, 10 to 30, delicate, tapering, hair-like filaments,
varying in length, but generally about a quarter or a third as
long as the cell itself ; these are the cilia. Immediately below
this hyaline border the cell-substance often exhibits more or less
distinctly a longitudinal striation, fine lines passing down from
the hyaline border towards the lower part of the cell-substance
round the nucleus. The hyaline border itself usually exhibits a
striation as if it were split up into blocks, each block correspond-
ing to one of the cilia, and careful examination leads to the
conclusion that the hyaline border is really composed of the fused
thicker basal parts of the cilia.
The cell-body has no distinct external membrane or envelope,
and its substance is in close contact with that of its neighbours,
being united to them either by a thin layer of some cement
substance, or by the simple cohesion of their respective surfaces.
At all events, the cells do cohere largely together, and it is difficult
to obtain an isolated living cell, though the cells may be easily
separated from each other when dead by the help of dissociating
fluids. When a cell is obtained isolated in a living state, it is
very frequently found to have lost its wedge shape and to have
become more or less hemispherical or even spherical ; under the
unusual conditions, and freed from the support of its neighbours,
the cell-body changes its form.
The general characters just described are common to all
ciliated epithelium cells, but the cells in different situations vary
in certain particulars, such as the exact form of the cell-body, the
number and length of the cilia, &c.
§ 94. Ciliary action, in the form in which it is most common
166 CILIARY MOVEMENT. [Book i.
in mammals and, indeed, vertebrates, consists in the cilium {i.e. the
tapering filament spoken of above) being at one moment straight
or vertical, at the next moment being bent down suddenly into a
hook or sickle form, and then more slowly returning to the straight
erect position. When the cilia are vigorous, this double move-
ment is repeated with very great rapidity, so rapidly that the
individual movements cannot be seen ; it is only when, by reason
of fatigue, the action becomes slow that the movement itself can
be seen ; what is seen otherwise is simply the effect of the
movement. The movements when slow have been counted at
about eight (double movements) in a second ; probably when
vigorous they are repeated from twelve to twenty times a second.
The flexion takes place in one direction only, and all the cilia
of each cell, and, indeed, of all the cells of the same epithelium
move in the same direction. Moreover, the same direction is
maintained during the whole life of the epithelium ; thus the cilia
of the epithelium of the trachea and bronchial passages move
during the whole of life in such a way as to drive the fluid lying
upon them upwards towards the mouth ; so far as we know in
vertebrates, or at least in mammals, the direction is not and cannot
by any means be reversed.
The flexion is very rapid but the return to the erect position
is much slower ; hence the total eflect of the blow, supposing the
cilium and the cell to be fixed, is to drive the thin layer of fluid in
which the cilium is working, and which always exists over the
epithelium, and any particles which may be floating in that fluid
in the same direction as that in which the blow is given. If the
cell be not attached, but floating free, the effect of the blow may
be to drive the cell itself backward ; and when perfectly fresh
ciliated epithelium is teased out and examined in an inert fluid
such as normal saline solution, isolated cells or small groups of
cells may be seen rowing themselves about as it were by the
action of their cilia.
All the cilia of a cell move, as we have just said, in the same
direction, but not quite at the same time. If we call the side of
the cell towards which the cilia bend the front of the cell and the
opposite side the back, the cilia at the back move a trifle before
those at the front so that the movement runs over the cell in the
direction of the movement itself. Similarly, taking any one cell,
the cilia of the cells behind it move slightly before, and the cilia
of the cells in front of it slightly after, its own cilia move. Hence,
in this way along a whole stretch of epithelium the movement or
bending of the cilia sweeps over the surface in ripples or waves,
very much as, when the wind blows, similar waves of bending
sweep over a field of corn or tall grass. By this arrangement the
efficacy of the movement is secured, and a steady stream of fluid
carrying particles is driven over the surface in a uniform continued
direction ; if the cilia of separate cells, and still more if the
Chap, ii.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 1G7
separate cilia of each cell, moved independently of the others, all
that would be produced would be a series of minute ' wobbles,' of
as little use for driving the fluid definitely onwards as the efforts
of a boat's crew all rowing out of time are for propelling the boat.
Swift bending and slower straightening is the form of ciliary
movement generally met with in the ciliated epithelium of mam-
mals and, indeed, of vertebrates ; but among the invertebrates we
find other kinds of movement, such as a to and fro movement,
equally rapid in both directions, a cork-screw movement, a simple
undulatory movement, and many others. In each case the kind of
movement seems adapted to secure a special end. Thus even in
the mammal while the one-sided blow of the cilia of the epithelial
cells secures a flow of fluid over the epithelium, the tail of the
spermatozoon, which is practically a single cilium, by moving to
and fro in an undulatory fashion drives the head of the sperma-
tozoon onwards in a straight line, like a boat driven by a single
oar worked at the stern.
Why and exactly how the cilium of the epithelial cells bends
swiftly and straightens slowly, always acting in the same direction,
is a problem difficult at present to answer fully. Some have thought
that the body of the cell is contractile, or contains contractile
mechanisms pulling upon the cilia, which are thus simple passive
puppets in the hands of the cells. But there is no satisfactory
evidence for such a view. On the whole, the evidence is in favour
of the view that the action is carried out by the cilium itself, that
the bending is a contraction of the cilium, and that the straight-
ening corresponds to the relaxation of a muscular fibre. But
even then the exact manner in which the contraction bends and
the relaxation straightens the filament is not fully explained.
"We have no positive evidence that a longitudinal half, the inside
we might say, of the filament is contractile, and the other half, the
outside, elastic, a supposition which has been made to explain the
bending and straightening. In fact, no adequate explanation of
the matter has as yet been given, and it is really only on general
grounds we conclude that the action is an effect of contractility.
In the vertebrate animal, cilia are, so far as we know, wholly
independent of the nervous system, and their movement is pro-
bably ceaseless. In such animals, however, as Infusoria, Hydrozoa,
&c. the movements in a ciliary tract may often be seen to stop and
to go on again, to be now fast, now slow, according to the needs
of the economy, and, as it almost seems, according to the will
of the creature ; indeed, in some of these animals the ciliary move-
ments are clearly under the influence of the nervous system.
Observations with galvanic currents, constant and interrupted,
have not led to any satisfactory results, and, so far as we know at
present, ciliary action is most affected by changes of temperature
and chemical media. Moderate heat quickens the movements, but
a rise of temperature beyond a certain limit (about 40"C. in the case
168 AMOEBOID MOVEMENTS. [Book i.
of the pharyngeal membrane of the frog) becomes injurious ; cold
retards. Very dilute alkalis are favourable, acids are injurious.
An excess of carbonic acid or an absence of oxygen diminishes or
arrests the movements, either temporarily or permanently, accord-
ing to the length of the exposure. Chloroform or ether in slight
doses diminishes or suspends the action temporarily ; in excess
kills and disorganises the cells.
Amoeboid Movements.
§ 95. The white blood corpuscles, as we have said (§ 28), are
able of themselves to change their form, and by repeated changes
of form to move from place to place. Such movements of the
substance of the corpuscles are called amoeboid, since they closely
resemble and appear to be identical in nature with the movements
executed by the amoeba and similar organisms. The movement
of the endoplasm of the vegetable cell seems also to be of the
same kind.
The amoeba changes its form (and shifts its place) by throwing
out projections of its substance, called pseudopodia, which may be
blunt and short, broad bulgings, as it were, or may be so long and
thin as to be mere filaments, or may be of an intermediate
character. As we watch the outline of the hyaline ectosarc, we
may see a pseudopodium beginning by a slight bulging of the
outline ; the bulging increases by the neighbouring portions of the
ectosarc moving into it, the movement under the microscope
reminding one of the flowing of melted glass. As the pseudo-
podium grows larger, and engages the whole thickness of the
ectosarc at the spot, the granules of the endosarc may be seen
streaming into it, forming a core of endosarc in the middle of the
bulging of ectosarc. The pseudopodium may continue to grow
larger and larger at the expense of the rest of the body, and
eventually the whole of the amoeba, including the nucleus, may, as
it were, have passed into the pseudopodium ; the body of the
amoeba will now occupy the place of the pseudopodium instead of
its old place : in other words it will in changing its form have also
changed its place.
During all these movements, and during all similar amoeboid
movements, the bulk of the organism will, as far as can be
ascertained, have remained unchanged ; the throwing out a pseu-
dopodium in one direction is accompanied by a corresponding re-
traction of the body in other directions. If, as sometimes happens,
the organism throws out pseudopodia in various directions at the
same time, the main body from which the pseudopodia project is
reduced in thickness ; from being a spherical lump, for instance, it
becomes a branched film. The movement is brought about not
by increase or decrease of substance, but by mere translocation of
particles ; a particle which at one moment was in one position
Chap, it.] THE CONTRACTILE TISSUES. 169
moves into a new position, several particles thus moving towards
the same point cause a bulging at that point, and several particles
moving away from the same point cause a retraction at that
point ; but no two particles get nearer to each other so as to
occupy together less space, and thus lead to condensation of sub-
stance, or get farther from each other so as to occupy more space,
and thus lead to increase of bulk.
In this respect, in that there is no change of bulk, but only a
shifting of particles in their relative position to each other, the
amoeboid movement resembles a muscular contraction ; but in
other respects the two kinds of movement seem different, and
the question arises, have we the right to speak of the substance,
which can only execute amoeboid movements, as being contractile ?
We may, if we admit that contractility is at bottom simply the
power of shifting the relative position of particles, and that
muscular contraction is a specialized form of contraction. In a
plain muscular fibre (which we may take as simpler than the
striated muscle) the shifting of particles is specialized in the sense
that it has always a definite relation to the long axis of the fibre ;
when the fibre contracts, a certain number of particles assume a
new position by moving at right angles to the long axis of the
fibre, and the fibre in consequence becomes shorter and broader.
In a white blood corpuscle, amoeba, or other organism executing
amoeboid movements, the shifting of the particles is not limited
to any axis of the body of the organism ; at the same moment one
particle or one set of particles may be moving in one direction, and
another particle or another set of particles in another direction.
A pseudopodium, short and broad, or long thin and filamentous,
may be thrust out from any part of the surface of the body, and
in any direction ; and a previously existing pseudopodium may
be shortened, or be wholly drawn back into the substance of the
body.
In the plain muscle fibre the fact that the shifting is specialized
in relation to the long axis of the fibre, necessitates that in a
contraction the shortening, due to the particles moving at right
angles to the long axis of the fibre, should be followed by what we
have called relaxation due to the particles moving back to take
up a position in the long axis ; and we have several times
insisted on relaxation being an essential part of the total act of
contraction. If no such movement in the direction of relaxation
took place, the fibre would by repeated contractions be flattened
out into a broad, thin film at right angles to its original long
axis, and would thus become useless. A spherical white blood
corpuscle may, by repeated contractions, i.e. amoeboid movements,
transform itself into such a broad, thin film ; but in such a
condition it is not useless. It may remain in that condition for
some time, and by further contractions, i.e. amoeboid movements,
may assume other shapes or revert to the spherical form.
170 AMCEBOID MOVEMENTS. [Book i.
So long as we narrow our idea of contractility to what we see
in a muscular fibre, and understand by contraction a movement of
particles in relation to a definite axis, necessarily followed by a
reversal of the movement in the form of relaxation, we shall find
a difficulty in speaking of the substance of the amoeba or of the
white blood corpuscle as being contractile. If, however, we conceive
of contractility as being essentially the power of shifting the
position of particles in any direction, without change of bulk (the
shifting being due to intrinsic molecular changes about which we
know little save that chemical decompositions are concerned in
the matter), we may speak of the substance of the amoeba and
white blood corpuscle as being contractile, and of muscular con-
traction as being a specialized kind of contraction.
The protoplasm of the amoeba or of a white corpuscle is, as we
have said, of a consistency which we for want of better terms call
semi-solid or semi-fluid. Consequently, when no internal changes
are prompting its particles to move in this or that direction, the
influences of the surroundings will tend to give the body, as they
will other fluid or semi-fluid drops, a spherical form. Hence the
natural form of the white corpuscle is more or less spherical. If,
under the influence of some stimulus internal or external, some
of the particles are stirred to shift their place, amoeboid move-
ments follow, and the spherical form is lost. If, however, all the
particles were stirred to move with equal energy, they would
neutralize each other's action, no protrusion or retraction would
take place at any point of the surface and the body would remain
a sphere. Hence, in extreme stimulation, in what in the muscle
corresponds to complete tetanus, the form of the body is the same
as in rest ; and the tetanized sphere would not be appreciably
smaller than the sphere at rest, for that would imply change of
bulk, but this, as we have seen, does not take place. This result
shews strikingly the difference between the general contractility
of the amoeba, and the special contractility of the muscle.
CHAPTER HI.
ON THE MORE GENERAL FEATURES OF NERVOUS
TISSUES.
§ 96. In the preceding chapter we have dealt with the pro-
perties of nerves going to muscles, the nerves which we called
motor, and have incidentally spoken of other nerves which we called
sensory. Both these kinds of nerves are connected with the brain
and spinal cord and form part of the General Nervous System.
We shall have to study hereafter in detail the brain and spinal cord ;
but the nervous system intervenes so repeatedly in the processes
carried out by other tissues that it will be desirable, before pro-
ceeding further, to discuss some of its more general features.
The Nervous System consists (1) of the Brain and Spinal Cord
forming together the cerebrospinal axis, or central nervous system ;
(2) of the nerves passing from that axis to nearly all parts of the
body, those which are connected with the spinal cord being called
spinal, and those which are connected with the brain, within the
cranium, being called cranial ; and (3) of ganglia distributed along
the nerves in various parts of the body.
The spinal cord obviously consists of a number of segments or
metameres, following in succession along its axis, each metamere
giving off on each side a pair of spinal nerves ; and a similar
division into metameres may be traced in the brain, though less
distinctly, since the cranial nerves are arranged in manner some-
what different from that of the spinal nerves. "We may take a
single spinal metamere, represented diagrammatically in Fig. 25,
as illustrating the general features of the nervous system ; and
since the half on one side of the median line resembles the half
on the other side, we may deal with one lateral half only.
Each spinal nerve arises by two roots. The metamere of the
central nervous system C consists, as we shall hereafter see, of grey
172
A NEURAL METAMERE.
[Book i.
EiG. 25. Scheme of the Nerves of a Segment of the Spinal Cord.
Gr grey, TF white matter of sphial cord. A anterior, P posterior root. 6' ganglion
on the posterior root. N whole nerve, N' spinal nerve proper ending in 71/ skeletal
or somatic muscle, S somatic sensory cell or surface, A m other ways. / viscemi
nerve (white ramus communicans) passing tea ganghon of the sympathetic chain
2, and passing on as V to supply the more distant ganglion (t, then as V to the
peripheral ganglion a' and ending in m splanchnic muscle, s splanchnic sensory
cell or surface, x other possible splanchnic endings. _
From 2 is given off the revehent nerve r. v (grey ramus communicans), which
partly passes backward towards the spinal cord, and partly runs as v. m, in connection
CiiAiMii.] FEATURES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 173
with the spinal nerve, to supply vasomotor (constrictor) fibres to the muscles (w') of
blood vessels in certain parts, for example, in the limlis.
S/j, the sympathetic chain uniting the ganglia of the series 2. The termiuati(jns
of the other nerves arising from 2, a, a arc not siiewn.
The figure is necessarily schematic, and must not be taken to shew that the
visceral branch joins only tlie ganglion beloiigiug to the same segment as the spinal
nerve ; the visceral brancli joins the sympathetic chum, passing to otiier ganglia
besides the one of tiie same segment, indeed in some cases does not join tliis ac all.
matter Gr in the interior, and white matter W on the outside.
From the anterior part of grey matter is given off the anterior
nerve root A, and from the posterior part the posterior nerve
root P. The latter passes into a swelling or ganglion G, " the
ganglion of the posterior root," or more shortly " the spinal gan-
glion ; " the anterior root does not pass into this ganglion. Beyond
the ganglion the roots join to form the nerve trunk N. We shall
later on give the evidence that the nerve fibres composing the
posterior root P are, so far as we know at present, exclusively
occupied in carrying nervous impulses from the tissues of the body
to the central nervous system, and that the fibres composing the
anterior root A are similarly occupied in carrying impulses from
the central nervous system to the several tissues ; that is to say,
the former is made up of sensory fibres, or (since the impulses
passing along them to the central system may give rise to effects
other than sensations) afferent fibres, while the latter is made up
of motor, or (since the impulses passing along them from the
central nervous system may produce effects other than movements)
efferent fibres. The nerve trunk N is consequently a mixed nerve,
composed of afferent and efferent fibres.
By far the greater part of this mixed nerve, dividing into
various branches, is distributed {N') to the skin and the skeletal
muscles, some of the fibres (motor) ending in muscular fibres {M),
others (sensory) ending in epithelial cells {S) connected with the
skin, which we shall consider hereafter under the name of sen-
sory epithelial cells, while others, X, after dividing into minute
branches and forming plexuses end, in ways not yet definitely
determined, in tissues associated with the skin or skeletal muscles.
Morphologists distinguish the parts which go to form the skin,
skeletal muscles, &c. as somatic, from the splanchnic parts which
go to form the viscera. We may accordingly call this main part
of the spinal nerve the somatic division of the nerve.
Soon after the mixed nerve N leaves the spinal canal, it gives
off a small branch V, which, under the name of (white) ramus
communicans, runs into the longitudinal series of ganglia (2*)
conspicuous in the thorax as the main sympathetic chain. This
branch is destined to supply the viscera, and might, therefore, be
called the splanchnic division of the spinal nerve. We may say
at once, without entering into details, that the whole of the
sympathetic system with its ganglia, plexuses and nerves is to
be regarded as a development or expansion of the visceral or
splanchnic divisions of certain spinal nerves. By means of this
174 SOMATIC AND SPLANCHNIC NEEVES. [Book i.
system, splanchnic fibres from the central nervous system are
distributed to the tissues of the viscera, some of them on their
way passing through secondary ganglia a, and, it may be, tertiary
ganglia. There are, however, as we shall see, certain nerves or
fibres which do not run in the sympathetic system, and yet are
distributed to the viscera and are ' splanchnic ' in nature. We
cannot, therefore, use the word sympathetic to denote all the
fibres which are splanchnic in nature. On the other hand, the
' splanchnic nerves ' of the anatomist form a part only of the
splanchnic system in the above sense : the term thus used is
limited to particular nerves of the splanchnic system distributed
to the abdomen, and the double use of the term splanchnic might
lead to confusion. The difficulty may perhaps be avoided by calling
the splanchnic nerves of the anatomist " abdominal splanchnic."
The majority of these splanchnic fibres seem to be efferent in
nature, carrying impulses from the central nervous system to the
tissues, some ending in plain muscular fibres (m), others in other
ways ix) ; but some of the fibres are afferent (s), and convey
impulses from the viscera to the central nervous system, and it is
possible that some of these begin or end in epithelial cells of the
viscera.
We shall have occasion in the next chapter to speak of nerves
which govern the blood vessels of the body, the so-called vaso-
motor nerves. A certain class of these, namely the vaso-constrictor
nerves or fibres are branches of the splanchnic division of the
cerebrospinal nerves, and as we shall see the vaso-constrictor
nerves of the skeletal muscles, skin, and other parts supplied by
somatic nerves, after running for some distance in the splanchnic
division ( V), turn back {r. v) and join the somatic division, the
fibres of which they accompany (v. m) on their way to the tissues
whose blood vessels (m') they supply ; some of these fibres, however,
run not peripherally towards the skin but centrally towards the
spinal cord, and probably supply the membranes of the cord.
Where the communicating branch from the spinal nerve to the
sympathetic ganglia consists of two parts, the white ramus com-
municans and the grey ramus communicans, these revehent,
backward turning splanchnic fibres run in the grey ramus ;
but, in the case of some of the spinal nerves, it is not possible
to distinguish a grey ramus as separate from a white ramus.
Besides these vaso-constrictor fibres, other fibres of different
function, of which we shall have to speak later on, run from
the spinal nerves into the splanchnic system, and then back again
to the somatic system.
We have seen (§ 68) that a nerve going to a muscle is com-
posed of nerve fibres, chiefly meduUated, some, however, being
non-medullated, bound together by connective tissue. The same
description holds good for the whole somatic division of each of
the spinal nerves. The splanchnic division also consists of me-
Chap, hi.] FEATURES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 175
dullated and non-iuedulloted fibix'S bound toii,ether Ijy connective
tissue, but in it, as a whole, the non-nieduUated fijjres preponderate,
some branches appearing to contain hardly any niedullated fibres
at all. The non-medullated fibres, which are found in the somatic
division, appear to be fibres which have joined that division from
the splanchnic division. So prominent are non-medullated fibres
in splanchnic nerves and hence in the sympathetic system that
they are sometimes called sympathetic fibres.
We have said that the axis-cylinder, whether of a niedullated
or non-medullated fibre, is to be considered as a long drawn out
process of a nerve cell. Nerve cells are found in three main
situations. 1. In the central nervous system, the brain and
spinal cord. 2. In the several ganglia placed aloi,ig the course of
the nerves, both the spinal ganglia, and the ganglia of the
splanchnic or sympathetic system. 3. At the terminations of
nerves in certain tissues. Some of these latter are to be regarded
as small, more or less terminal, ganglia, and similar minute
ganglia consisting of two or three cells only are found frequently
along the course of splanchnic nerves ; such cells really, therefore,
belong to the second group. But besides this, in certain situations,
as for instance in certain organs of the skin, and in the organs of
special sense, nerves, generally afferent or sensory in nature, either
actually end in, or at their termination are connected with, cells
which appear to be of a nervous nature ; such cells form a distinct
category by themselves.
Hence, along its whole course a nerve consists exclusively of
nerve fibres (and the connective tissue supporting them), except in
the central nervous system from which it springs, in the ganglia,
great and small, through which it passes or which are attached to
it at one part or another of its course, in both of which situations
nerve cells are found, and at its termination where its fibres may
end in nerve cells.
The features of these nerve cells differ in these several situa-
tions. The characters of the terminal cells wdiich, as we have
said, are chiefly sensory, and the structure of the brain and spinal
cord we shall study in detail later on. We may here confine our
attention to the nerve cells of the ganglia, and to some of the
broad features of the nerve cells of the spinal cord.
§ 97. Spinal ganglia. AVhen a longitudinal section of a spinal
ganglion is examined under a low power, the fibres of the posterior
root as they enter the ganglion are observed to spread out and
pass between relatively large and conspicuous nucleated cells
which are to a large extent arranged in groups, somewhat after the
fashion of a bunch of grapes. These are the nerve cells ; they
have frequently a diameter of about 100 /a, but may be still larger,
or may be much smaller. In a transverse section it will be
observed that a large compact mass of these cells lies on the
outer side of the ganglion, and that the racemose groups on the
176 SPINAL GANGLIA. [Book i.
inner side are smaller. A qimntity of connective tissue, carrying
blood vessels and lymphatics, runs between the groups, and, passing
into each group, runs between the cells and fibres ; and a thick
wrapping of connective tissue continuous with the sheath of the
nerve surrounds and forms a sheath for the whole ganglion.
Each of the nerve cells, ganglionic cells as they are called,
examined under a higher power, either after having been isolated,
or in an adequately thin and prepared section, will present the
following features.
The cell consists of a cell-hody which is, normally, pear-shaped,
having a broad end in which is placed the nucleus and a narrow
end, which thins out into a stalk and is eventually continued
on as a nerve fibre. The substance of the cell-body is of the kind
which we call finely granular protoplasm ; sometimes there is an
appearance of fibrillation, the fibrillar passing in various direc-
tions in the body of the cell, and being gathered together in a
longitudinal direction in the stalk. Sometimes the cell-body
immediately around the nucleus appears of a different grain from
that nearer the stalk, and not unfrequently near the nucleus is an
aggregation of discrete pigment granules imbedded in the proto-
plasm. The several cells of the same ganglion frequently differ as
to the appearances of the cell-body, this being in some more
distinctly or coarsely granular than in others, and also staining
differently.
The nucleus, like the nuclei of nearly all nerve cells, is large
and conspicuous, and when in a normal condition is remarkably
clear and refractive, though it appears to consist like other nuclei
of a nuclear membrane and network and nuclear interstitial ma-
terial. Even more conspicuous perhaps is a very large, spherical,
highly refractive nucleolus; occasionally more than one nucleolus
is present.
Surrounding the cell-body is a distinct sheath or capsule con-
sisting of a transparent, hyaline, or faintly fibrillated membrane,
lined on the inside by one layer or by two layers of flat, polygonal,
nucleated epithelioid cells or plates ; that is to say, cells which
resemble epithelium cells, but differ not only in being extremely
flattened, but also in the cell body being transformed from
ordinary granular protoplasm into a more transparent differen-
tiated material. In stained specimens the nuclei of these plates
are very conspicuous. Under normal conditions this sheath is
in close contact with the whole body of the cell, but in hardened
and prepared specimens the cell body is sometimes seen shrunk
away from the sheath, leaving a space between them. Occasionally
the cell body, while remaining attached to the sheath at three
or four or more points, is retracted elsewhere, and accordingly
assumes a more or less stellate form ; but this artificial condition
must not be confounded with the natural branched form, which as
we shall see other kinds of nerve cells possess.
Chap, hi.] FEATURES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 177
When a section is made through a hardened ganglion, the plane
of the section passes through the stalks of a few only of the cells,
and that rarely for any great distance along the stalk, since in the
case of many of the cells the stalk is more or less curved, and
consequently runs out of the plane of section ; but in properly
isolated cells we can see that in many cases the stalk of the cell is,
as we have said, continued on into a nerve fibre, and we have reason
to believe that it is so in all cases. As the cell-body narrows into
the stalk, several nuclei make their appearance, lodged on it ;
these are small granular nuclei, wholly unlike the nucleus of the
cell-body itself, and more like, though not quite like, the nuclei of
the neurilemma of a nerve. They are probably of the same
nature as the latter ; and, indeed, as we trace the narrowing stalk
downwards, a tine, delicate sheath which, if present, is at least not
obvious over the cell-body, makes its appearance, and a little
farther on between this sheath, which is now clearly a neurilemma,
and the stalk of the cell-body, which has by this time become a
cylinder of uniform width, and is now obviously an axis-cylinder, a
layer of medulla, very fine at first but rapidly thickening, is
established. The stalk of the nerve cell thus becomes an ordinary
medullated nerve fibre. The sheath of the cell is continued, also,,
on to the nerve fibre, not as was once thought as the neurilemma,
but as that special sheath of connective tissue, of which we have
already spoken (§ 69) as Henle's sheath, and which ultimately
becomes fused with the connective tissue of the nerve.
At some variable distance from the cell the nerve fibre bears
the first node, and either at this or some early succeeding node
the fibre divides into two ; as we have seen, division of a medullated
nerve fibre always takes place at a node. The two divisions
thus arising run in opposite directions, forming in this way a
\- piece ; and while one division runs in one direction towards
the posterior root, the other runs in an opposite direction towards
the nerve trunk. The nerve cell is thus, as it were, a side piece,
attached to a fibre passing through the ganglion on its way
from the posterior root to the nerve trunk. It cannot be said
that in any one ganglion this connection has been traced in the
case of every nerve cell of the ganglion; but the more care is
taken, and the more successful the preparation, the greater is the
number of cells which may be isolated with their respective
I- pieces ; so that we may conclude that, normally, every cell of a
ganglion is connected on the one hand with a fibre of the
posterior root, and on the other hand with a fibre of the nerve
trunk. We have reasons further to believe that every fibre of
the posterior root in passing through the ganglion on its way to
the mixed nerve trunk is thus connected with a nerve cell ;
but this has been called in question. In certain animals, for
instance certain fishes, the cells of the spinal ganglia are not
pear-shaped, but oval or fusiform, and each narrow end is pro-
12
178 SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA. [Book i.
longed into a nerve fibre, one end thus being connected with the
posterior root and the other with the nerve trunk. In such a case
the nerve cell is simply a direct enlargement of the axis-cylinder,
with a nucleus placed in the enlargement. The nerve cells above
described are similar enlargements, also bearing nuclei, placed not
directly in the course of the axis-cylinder, but on one side and
connected with the axis-cylinder by the cross limb of the |- piece.
Hence the ordinary ganglion cell is spoken of as being unipolar,
those of fishes being called Mpolar. The former seems to be a
special modification of the latter ; and, indeed, when the de-
velopment of a unipolar cell is traced in the embryo it is found to
be bipolar first, and subsequently to become unipolar.
In examining spinal ganglia a cell is sometimes found which
bears no trace of any process connecting it with a nerve fibre.
It is possible that such a cell, which is spoken of as apolar,
may be a young cell which has not yet developed its nerve process
or an old cell which has by degeneration lost the process which it
formerly possessed.
§ 98. The ganglia of the splanchnic system, like the spinal
ganglia, consist of nerve cells and nerve fibres imbedded in connective
tissue, which, however, is of a looser and less compact nature in
them than in the spinal ganglia. So far as the characters of their
nuclei, the nature of their cell-substance, and the possession of a
sheath are concerned, what has been said concerning the nerve cells
of spinal ganglia holds, in general, good for those of splanchnic
ganglia ; and, indeed, in certain ganglia of the splanchnic system
connected with the cranial nerves, the nerve cells appear to be
wholly like those of spinal ganglia. In most splanchnic ganglia,
however, in those which are generally called sympathetic ganglia,
two important differences may be observed between what we may
call the characteristic nerve cell of the splanchnic ganglion, and
the cell of the spinal ganglion.
In the first place, while the nerve cell of the spinal ganglia has
one process only, the nerve cell of the splanchnic ganglia has at
least two and may have three or even four or five processes ; it
is a bipolar or a multipolar cell.
In the second place, while these processes of the splanchnic
ganglion cell may be continued on as nerve fibres, as is the single
process of the spinal ganglion cell, the nerve fibres so formed are,
in the case of most of the processes of a cell, and sometimes in
the case of all the processes, non-medullated fibres, and remain
non-meduUated so far as they can be traced. In some instances,
one process becomes at a little distance from the cell a medullated
fibre, while the other processes become non-medullated fibres ; and
we are led to believe that in this case the medullated fibre is
proceeding to the cell on its way from the central nervous system,
and that the non-medullated fibres are proceeding from the cell
on their way to more peripherally placed parts ; the nerve cell
Chap, hi.] FEATURES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 179
seems to serve as a centre for the division of nerve fibres, and also
for the change from medullated to non-medullated fibres.
All the processes of a splanchnic ganglion cell, however, are
not continued on as nerve fibres ; sometimes the process divides
rapidly into a number of fine branches, which are then found to
twine closely round the bodies of neighbouring cells.
In consequence of its thus possessing more than one process,
the splanchnic ganglion cell is more or less irregular in form,
in contrast to the pear shape of the spinal ganglion cell. But
in certain situations in certain animals, for instance in the frog,
in many of the ganglia of the abdomen, and in the small ganglia
in the heart, pear-shaped splanchnic ganglion cells are met with.
In such cases the nucleated sheath is distinctly pear-shaped or
balloon-shaped, and the large, conspicuous nucleus is placed, as in
the spinal ganglion cell, near the broad end, but the stalk of the
cell is made up not of a single fibre but of two fibres ; one of these
is straight, and seems to be the direct continuation of the cell-
substance, while the other, which seems to be gathered up from a
network on the surface of the cell, is twisted spirally round the
straifrht one. The two fibres run for some distance together
in the same funnel-shaped prolongation of the nucleated sheath
of the cell, but eventually separate, each fibre acquiring a sheath
(sheath of Henle) of its own. Generally, if not always, one fibre,
usually the straight one, becomes a medullated fibre, while the
other, usually the twisted or spiral one, is continued as a non-
medullated fibre. While within the common nucleated sheath
both fibres, especially the spiral one, bear nuclei of the same
character as those seen in a corresponding situation in the spinal
ganglion cell.
In the walls of the intestine, in connection with splanchnic
nerves, are found peculiar nerve cells forming what are known as
the plexuses of Meissner and Auerbach, but we shall postpone for
the present any description of these or of other peculiar splanchnic
cells.
§ 99. In the central nervous system nerve cells are found in the
so-called grey matter only, they are absent from the %vhite matter.
In the grey matter of the spinal cord, in the parts spoken of as the
anterior cornua, we meet with remarkable nerve cells of the follow-
ing characters. The cells are large, varying in diameter from 50|U.
to 140/x, and each consists of a cell-body surrounding a large, con-
spicuous, refractive nucleus, in which is placed an even still more
conspicuous nucleolus. The nucleus resembles the nuclei of the
ganglion cells already described, and the cell-body, like the cell-
body of the ganglion cells, is composed of a finely granular sub-
stance, often fibrillated, though generally obscurely so ; frequently
a yellowish brown pigment is deposited in a part of the cell-
body, not far from the nucleus. The cell-body is prolonged
sometimes into two or three only, but generally into several
180 NERVE CELLS OF SPINAL CORD. [Book i.
processes, which appear more distinctly fibrillated than the more
central parts of the cell-body. These processes are of two kinds.
One process and, apparently, one only, but, in the case at least of the
cells of the anterior cornu, always one, is prolonged as a thin, un-
branched band, which retains a fairly uniform diameter for a
considerable distance from the cell, and, when successfully traced,
is found sooner or later to acquire a medulla, and to become the
axis-cylinder of a nerve fibre ; the processes which thus pass out
from the grey matter of the anterior cornu through the white
matter form the anterior roots of the spinal nerve. Such a
process is accordingly called the axis-cylinder process. The
other processes of the cell rapidly branch, and so divide into very
delicate filaments, which are soon lost to view in the substance of
the grey matter. Indeed, the grey matter is partly made up of a
plexus of delicate filaments, arising on the one hand from the
division of processes of the nerve cells, and on the other from
the division of the axis-cylinders of fibres running in the grey
matter.
The cell is not surrounded, like the ganglion cell, by a distinct
sheath. As we shall see later on, while treating in detail of the
central nervous system, all the nervous elements of the spinal cord
are supported by a network or spongework of delicate peculiar tissue
called neuroglia, analogous to and serving much the same function
as, but different in origin and nature from connective tissue.
This neuroglia forms a sheath to the nerve cell and to its processes,
as well as to the nerve fibres running both in the white and the
grey matter ; hence within the central nervous system the fibres,
whether medullated or no, possess no separate neurilemma ;
tubular sheaths of the neuroglia give the axis-cylinder and medulla
all the support they need.
All the nerve cells of the anterior cornu probably possess an
axis-cylinder process, and other cells similarly provided with an
axis-cylinder process are found in other parts of the grey matter.
But in certain parts, as for instance in the posterior cornu, cells are
met with which appear to possess no axis-cylinder process ; all the
processes seem to branch out into fine filaments. Except for this
absence, which is probably apparent rather than real, of an axis-
cylinder process, such cells resemble in their general features the
cells of the anterior cornu, though they are generally somewhat
smaller. Speaking generally, the great feature of the nerve cells of
the central nervous system as distinguished from the ganglion cells
is the remarkable way in which their processes branch off into a
number of delicate filaments, corresponding to the delicate fila-
ments or fibrillse in which at its termination in the tissues the axis-
cylinder of a nerve often ends.
§ 100. From the above descriptions it is obvious that in the
spinal cord (to which as representing the central nervous system
we may at present confine ourselves, leaving the brain for later
Chap, iti.] FEATURES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 181
study) afferent fibres (fibres of the posterior root) are in some way
by means of the grey matter brought into connection with efferent
fibres (fibres of the anterior root) ; in other words the spinal cord is
a centre uniting afferent and efferent fibres. The spinal ganglia are
not centres in this sense ; the nerve cells composing the ganglia are
simply relays on the afferent fibres of the posterior root, they have
no connection whatever with efferent fibres, they are connected
with fibres of one kind only. Concerning the ganglia of the
splanchnic system, we cannot in all cases make at present a
positive statement, but the evidence so far at our disposal points
to the conclusion that in them, as in the spinal ganglia, each nerve
cell belongs to fibres of one function only, that where several
processes of a cell are prolonged into nerve fibres, these fibres
have all the same function, the nerve cell being as in the spinal
ganglia a mere relay. We have no satisfactory evidence that in
a ganglion the fibres springing from, or connected with, one cell
join another cell so as to convert the ganglion into a centre
joining together cells, whose nerve fibres have different functions.
We shall have later on to bring forward evidence that the
nucleated cell-body of a nerve cell in a ganglion or elsewhere is in
some way or other connected with the nutrition, the growth and
repair of the nerve fibres springing from it. Besides this nutritive
function, the multipolar cells of the splanchnic ganglia appear to
serve the purpose of multiplying the tracts along which nervous
impulses may pass. An impulse, for instance, reaching a multipolar
cell in one of the proximal (sympathetic) ganglia along one
fibre or process (the fibre in very many cases being a medullated
fibre) can pass out of the cell in various directions along several
processes or fibres, which, in the majority of cases if not always, are
non-meduUated fibres. Thus these nerve cells are organs of dis-
tribution for impulses of the same kind. What further modifica-
tions of the impulses thus passing through them these ganglia may
bring about, we do not know.
It is only in some few instances that we have any indications,
and those of a very doubtful character, that the ganglia of the
splanchnic system can carry out either of the two great functions
belonging to what is physiologically called a nerve centre, namely,
the function of starting nervous impulses anew from within itself,
the function of an automatic centre so-called, and the function
of being so affected by the advent of afferent impulses as to send
forth in response efferent impulses, of converting, as it were,
afferent into efferent impulses, the function of a rejiex centre
so-called.
It is the central nervous system, the brain with the spinal cord,
which supplies the nervous centres for automatic actions and for
reflex actions ; indeed, all the processes taking place in the central
nervous system (at least all such as come within tlie province of
physiology) fall into or may be considered as forming part of one
or the other of these two categories.
182 EEFLEX ACTIONS. [Book i.
§ 101. Befiex actions. In a reflex action afferent impulses
reaching the nervous centre give rise to the discharge of efferent
impulses, the discharge following so rapidly and in such a way as to
leave no doubt that it is caused by the advent at the centre of the
afferent impulses. Thus a frog, from which the brain has been
removed while the rest of the body has been left intact, will
frequently remain quite motionless (as far at least as the skeletal
muscles are concerned) for an almost indefinite time ; but if its
skin be pricked, or if in other ways afferent impulses be generated
in afferent fibres by adequate stimulation, movements of the limbs
or body will immediately follow. Obviously in this instance the
stimulation of afferent fibres has been the cause of the discharge
of impulses along efferent fibres.
The machinery involved in such a reflex act consists of three
parts : (1) the afferent fibres, (2) the nerve centre, in this case the
spinal cord, and (3) the efferent fibres. If any one of these three
parts be missing, the reflex act cannot take place ; if, for instance,
the afferent nerves or the efferent nerves be cut across in their
course, or if the centre, the spinal cord, be destroyed, the reflex
action cannot take place.
Eeflex actions can be carried out by means of the brain, as we
shall see while studying that organ in detail, but the best and
clearest examples of reflex action are manifested by the spinal cord ;
in fact, reflex action is one of the most important functions of the
spinal cord. We shall have to study the various reflex actions of
the spinal cord in detail hereafter, but it will be desirable to point
out here some of their general features.
When we stimulate the nerve of a muscle-nerve preparation
the result, though modified in part by the condition of the muscle
and nerve, whether fresh and irritable or exhausted, for instance, is
directly dependent on the nature and strength of the stimulus.
If we use a single induction-shock we get a simple contraction, if
the interrupted current we get a tetanus, if we use a weak shock
we get a slight contraction, if a strong shock a large contraction,
and so on ; and throughout our study of muscular contractions we
assumed that the amount of contraction might be taken as a
measure of the magnitude of the nervous impulses generated by
the stimulus. And it need hardly be said that when we stimulate
certain fibres only of a motor nerve, it is only the muscular fibres
in which those nerve fibres end, which are thrown into con-
traction.
In a reflex action, on the other hand, the movements called forth
by the same stimulus may be in one case insignificant, and in
another violent and excessive, the result depending on the arrange-
ments and condition of the central portion of the reflex mechanism.
Thus the mere contact of a hair with the mucous membrane lining
the larynx, a contact which can originate only the very slightest
afferent impulses, may call forth a convulsive fit of coughing, in
which a very large number of muscles are thrown into violent con-
Chap, hi.] FEATURES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 183
tractions ; whereas the same contact of the hair with other surfaces
of the body may produce no obvious effect at all. Similarly, while
in the brainless but otherwise normal frog, a slight touch on the skin
of the flank will produce nothing but a faint flicker of the under-
lying muscles ; the same touch on the same part of a frog poisoned
with strychnia will produce violent lasting tetanic contractions of
nearly all the muscles of the body. Motor impulses, as we have
seen, travel along motor nerves without any great expenditure of
energy, and probably without increasing that expenditure as they
proceed ; and the same is apparently the case with afferent impulses
passing along afferent nerves. When, however, in a reflex action
afferent impulses reach the nerve centre, a change in the nature and
magnitude of the impulses takes place. It is not that in the nerve
centre the afferent impulses are simply turned aside or reflected into
efferent impulses ; and hence the term " reflex " action is a bad one.
It is rather that the afferent impulses act afresh, as it were, as a
stimulus to the nerve centre, producing according to circumstances
and conditions either a few weak efferent impulses or a multitude
of strong ones. The nerve centre may be regarded as a collection
of explosive charges ready to be discharged and so to start efferent
impulses along certain efferent nerves, and these charges are
so arranged and so related to certain afferent nerves, that afferent
impulses reaching the centre along those nerves may in one case
discharge a few only of the charges and so give rise to feeble
movements, and in another case discharge a very large number and
so give rise to large and violent movements. In a reflex action,
then, the number, intensity, character and distribution of the effe-
rent impulses, and so the kind and amount of movement, will depend
chiefly on what takes place in the centre, and this will in turn
depend on the one hand on the condition of the centre, and, on
the other, on the special relations of the centre to the afferent
impulses.
At the same time we are able to recognise in most reflex actions
a certain relation between the strength of the stimulus, that is
to say, the magnitude of the afferent impulses and the extent of
the movement, that is to say the magnitude of the efferent
impulses. The nerve centre remaining in the same condition, the
stronger or more numerous afferent impulses will give rise to the
more forcible or more comprehensive movements. Thus, if a flank
of a brainless frog be very lightly touched, the only reflex move-
ment which is visible is a slight twitching of the muscles lying
immediately underneath the spot of skin stimulated. If the
stimulus be increased, the movements will spread to the hind-leg
of the same side, which frequently will execute a movement
calculated to push or wipe away the stimulus. By foreilily
pinching the same spot of skin, or otherwise increasing the
stimulus, the resulting movements may be led to embrace the
fore-leg of the same side, then the opposite side, and, finally,
184 EEFLEX ACTIONS. [Book i.
almost all the muscles of the body. In other words, the dis-
turbance set going in the centre, confined when the stimulus is
slight to a small part of the centre, overflows, so to speak, when
the stimulus is increased, to other parts of the centre, and thus
throws impulses into a larger and larger number of efferent nerves.
We may add, without going more fully into the subject here,
that in most reflex actions a special relation may be observed
between the part stimulated and the resulting movement. In the
simplest cases of reflex action, this relation is merely of such a
kind that the muscles thrown into action are those governed by a
motor nerve which is the fellow of the sensory nerve, the stimula-
tion of which calls forth the movement. In the more complex
reflex actions of the brainless frog, and in other cases, the relation
is of such a kind that the resulting movement bears an adaptation
to the stimulus : the foot is withdrawn from the stimulus, or
the movement is calculated to push or wipe away the stimulus.
In other words, a certain purpose is evident in the reflex action.
Thus in all cases, except perhaps the very simplest, the move-
ments called forth by a reflex action are exceedingly complex
compared with those which result from the direct stimulation of a
motor trunk. When the peripheral stump of a divided sciatic
nerve is stimulated with the interrupted current, the muscles of
the leg are at once thrown into tetanus, continue in the same rigid
condition during the passage of the current, and relax immediately
on the current being shut off. When the same current is applied,
for a second only, to the skin of the flank of a brainless frog, the
leg is drawn up and the foot rapidly swept over the spot irritated,
as if to wipe away the irritation ; but this movement is a complex
one, requiring the contraction of particular muscles in a definite
sequence, with a carefully adjusted proportion between the amounts
of contraction of the individual muscles. And this complex move-
ment, this balanced and arranged series of contractions, may be
repeated more than once as the result of a single stimulation of the
skin. When a deep breath is caused by a dash of cold water, the
same co-ordinated and carefully arranged series of contractions is
also seen to result, as part of a reflex action, from a simple stimulus.
And many more examples might be given.
In such cases as these the complexity may be in part due to
the fact that the stimulus is applied to terminal sensory organs,
and not directly to a nerve trunk. As we shall see in speaking of
the senses, the impulses which are generated by the application of
a stimulus to a sensory organ are more complex than those which
result from the direct artificial stimulation of a sensory nerve
trunk. Nevertheless, reflex actions of great if not of equal com-
plexity may be induced by stimuli applied directly to a nerve
trunk. We are, therefore, obliged to conclude that in a reflex
action, the processes which are originated in the centre by
the arrival of even simple impulses along afferent nerves may be
Chap, hi.] FEATUKES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 185
highly complex ; and that it is the constitution and condition of
the centre which determines the complexity and character of the
movements which are effected. In other words, a centre concerned
in a reflex action is to be regarded as constituting a sort of
molecular machinery, the character of the resulting movements
being determined by the nature of the machinery set going and
its condition at the time being, the character and amount of the
afferent impulses determining exactly what parts of and how far
the central machinery is thrown into action.
Throughout the above we have purposely used the word
centre, avoiding the mention of nerve cells. But undoubtedly the
part of the spinal cord acting as centres of reflex action is situated
in the grey matter, which grey matter is characterised by the
presence of nerve cells ; undoubtedly, also, the efferent fibres are
connected with the afferent fibres by means of cells, certainly by
the cells of the anterior cornu described in § 99, and probably also
by other cells in the posterior cornu or elsewhere. So that a
reflex action is carried on undoubtedly through cells. But it does
not follow that a cellular mechanism is essential, in the sense, at all
events, that the nuclei of the cells have anything to do with the
matter, or even that the most important of the molecular processes
constituting the changes taking place in a centre during a reflex
action are carried out only by the cell-substance immediately
surrounding the nuclei. The power of carrying out a reflex action
is probably contingent on the nature and arrangement of axis-
cylinders, and of the branching material by which, in a nerve
centre, the afferent and efferent axis-cylinders are joined together,
the nuclei intervening only so far as they have to do with the
growth and repair of the nervous material.
§ 102. Automatic actions. Efferent impulses frequently issue
from the brain and spinal cord, and so give rise to movements
without being obviously preceded by any stimulation. Such move-
ments are spoken of as automatic or spontaneous. The efferent
impulses in such cases are started by changes in the nerve centre
which are not the immediate result of the arrival at the nerve
centre of afferent impulses from without, but which appear to
arise in the nerve centre itself. Changes of this kind may recur
rhythmically ; thus, as we shall see, we have reason to think that
in a certain part of the central nervous system called the spinal
bulb, or medulla oblongata, changes of the nervous material, re-
curring rhythmically, lead to the rhythmic discharge along certain
nerves of efferent impulses whereby muscles connected with the
chest are rhythmically thrown into action and a rhythmically
repeated breathing is brouglit about. And other similar rhythmic
automatic movements may be carried out by various parts of the
spinal cord.
From the brain itself a much more varied and apparently
irregular discharge of efferent impulses, not the obvious result of
186 INHIBITORY NERVE. [Book i.
any immediately foregoing afferent impulses, and therefore not
forming part of reflex actions, is very common, constituting what
we speak of as volition, efferent impulses thus arising being called
volitional or voluntary impulses. The spinal cord, apart from the
brain, does not appear capable of executing these voluntary move-
ments ; but to this subject we shall return when we come to speak
of the central nervous system in detail.
We said just now that there is no satisfactory evidence
that the ganglia of the splanchnic system ever act as centres of
reflex action. The evidence, however, that these ganglia may
serve as centres of rhythmic automatic action seems at first sight
of some strength. Several organs of the body containing muscular
tissue, the most notable being the heart, are during life engaged
in rhythmic automatic movements, and in many cases continue
these movements after removal from the body. In nearly all
these cases ganglia are present in connection with the muscular
tissue ; and the presence and intact condition of these ganglia
seem at all events in many cases in some way essential to the due
performance of the rhythmic automatic movements. Indeed it
has been thought that the movements in question are really due
to the rhythmic automatic generation in the cells of these ganglia
of efferent impulses, which, passing down to the appropriate
muscular fibres, call forth the rhythmic movement. When we
come to study these movements in detail, we shall find reasons
for coming to the conclusion that this view is not supported by
adequate evidence ; and, indeed, though it is perhaps immature to
make a dogmatic statement, all the evidence goes, as we have
already said, to shew that the great use of the ganglia of the
splanchnic system, like that of the spinal ganglia, is connected
with the nutrition of the nerves, and that these structures do not
like the central nervous system act as centres either automatic or
reflex.
§ 103. Inhibitory nerves. We have said that the fibres of the
anterior root should be called efferent rather than motor, because,
though they all carry impulses outward from the central nervous
system to the tissues, the impulses which they carry do not
in all cases lead to the contraction of muscular fibres. Some of
these efferent fibres are distributed to glandular structures, for
instance, to the salivary glands, and impulses passing along these
lead to changes in epithelial cells and their surroundings whereby,
without any muscular contraction necessarily intervening, secretion
is brought about : the action of these fibres of secretion we shall
study in connection with digestion.
Besides this, there are efferent fibres going to muscular tissue,
or, at all events, to muscular organs, the impulses passing along
which, so far from bringing about muscular contraction, diminish,
hinder, or stop movements already in progress. Thus if when the
heart is beating regularly, that is to say, when the muscular fibres
Chap, in.] FEATURES OF NERVOUS TISSUES. 187
which make up tlie greater part of the heart are rhythmically
contracting, the branches of the pneumogastric nerve going to the
heart be adequately stimulated, for instance with the interrupted
current, the heart will stop beating ; and that not because the
muscles of the heart are thrown into a continued tetanus, the
rhythmic alternation of contraction and relaxation being rejjlaced
by sustained contraction, but because contraction disappears alto-
gether, all the muscular fibres of the heart remaining for a
considerable time in complete relaxation, and the whole heart
being quite flaccid. If a weaker stimulus be employed, the beat
may not be actually stopped but slowed or weakened. And, as we
shall see, there are many other cases where the stimulation of
efferent fibres hinders, weakens, or altogether stops a movement
already in progress. Such an effect is called an inhibition, and
the fibres, stimulation of which produces the effect, are called
' inhibitory ' fibres.
The phenomena of inhibition are not, however, confined to
such cases as the heart, where the efferent nerves are connected
with muscular tissues. Thus the activity of a secreting gland may
be inhibited, as, for instance, when emotion stops the secretion of
saliva, and the mouth becomes dry from fear. In this instance,
however, it is probable that inhibition is brought about not by
inhibitory impulses passing to the gland, and arresting secretion
in the gland itself, but rather by an arrest, in the central nervous
system, of the nervous impulses which, normally, passing down to
the gland, excite it as we shall see to action. And, indeed, as we
shall see later on, there are many illustrations of the fact that
afferent impulses reaching a nervous centre, instead of stimulating
it to activity, may stop or inhibit an activity previously going on.
In fact it is probable, though not actually proved in every case,
that wherever in any tissue energy is being set free, nervous
impulses brought to bear on the tissue may affect the rate or
amount of the energy set free in two different ways ; on the one
hand, they may increase or quicken the setting free of energy, and
on the other hand they may slacken, hinder, or inhibit the setting
free of energy. And in, at all events, a large number of cases, it
is possible to produce the one effect by means of one set of nerve
fibres, and the other effect by another set of nerve fibres. We
shall have occasion, however, to study the several instances of this
double action in the appropriate places. It is sufficient for us
at the present to recognize that a nervous impulse passing along
a nerve fibre need not always set free energy when it reaches
its goal, it may hinder or stop the setting free of energy, and is
then called an inhibitory impulse.
CHAPTER ly.
THE VASCULAE MECHANISM.
SEC. 1. THE STRUCTUEE AND MAIN FEATUEES OF
THE VASCULAE APPAEATUS.
§ 104. The blood, as we have said, is the internal medium on
which the tissues live ; from it these draw their food and oxygen, to
it they give up the products or waste matters which they form. The
tissues, with some few exceptions, are traversed by, and thus the
elements of the tissues surrounded by, networks of minute, thin-
walled tubes, the capillary hlood vessels. The elementary striated
muscle fibre, for instance, is surrounded by capillaries, running in
the connective tissue outside but close to the sarcolemma, arranged
in a network with more or less rectangular meshes. These capil-
laries are closed tubes with continuous walls, and the blood, which,
as we shall see, is continually streaming through them, is as a
whole confined to their channels, and does not escape from them.
The elements of the tissues lie outside the capillaries, and form
extra-vascular islets of different form and size in the different
tissues, surrounded by capillary networks. But the walls of the
capillaries are so thin and of such a nature that certain of the
constituents of the blood pass from the interior of the capillary
through the capillary wall to the elements of the tissue outside
the capillary, and, similarly, certain of the constituents of the
tissue, to wit, certain substances, the result of the metabolism
continually going on in the tissue, pass from the tissue outside
the capillary through the capillary wall into the blood flowing
through the capillary. Thus, as we have already said, § 13, there
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 189
is a continual interchange of material between the blood in the
capillary, and the elements of the tissue outside the capillary, the
lymph acting as middle man. By this interchange the tissue
lives on the blood, and the blood is affected by its passage through
the tissue. In the small arteries which end in, and in the small
veins which begin in the capillaries, a similar interchange takes
place ; but the amount of interchange diminishes as, passing in
each direction from the capillaries, the walls of the arteries and
veins become thicker ; and, indeed, in all but the minute veins
and arteries, the interchange is so small that it may practically
be neglected. It is in the capillaries (and minute arteries and
veins) that the business of the blood is done ; it is in these that
the interchange takes place ; and the object of the vascular
mechanism is to cause the blood to flow through these in a
manner best adapted for carrying on this interchange under
varying circumstances. The use of the arteries is, in the main,
simply to carry the blood in a suitable manner from the heart
to the capillaries ; the use of the veins is, in the main, simply to
carry the blood from the capillaries back to the heart ; and the use
of the heart is, in the main, simply to drive the blood in a suitable
manner through the arteries into the capillaries, and from the
capillaries back along the veins to itself again. The structure
of these several parts is adapted to these several uses.
The structure of arteries, capillaries and veins.
§ 105. On some features of connective tissue. The heart and
blood vessels are, broadly speaking, made up partly of muscular
tissue with its appropriate nervous elements, and partly of certain
varieties of the tissue known as connective tissue. We shall
have to speak of some of the features of connective tissue of phy-
siological importance when we come to deal with the lymphatic
system, for this system is intimately associated with connective
tissue. But an association only less close exists between the
blood vessels and connective tissue ; for connective tissue not only
enters largely, in one or other of its forms, into the structure of
the blood vessels, but also forms a sort of bed, both for the larger
vessels on their way to and from the several tissues and organs and
for the smaller vessels, including the capillaries, within each tissue
and organ ; indeed, a capillary may be regarded as a minute tubular
passage, hollowed out in the connective tissue which binds together
the elements of a tissue. It will be desirable, therefore, to point
out at once a few of the characters of connective tissue.
The connective tissue of the adult body is derived from certain
mesoblastic cells of the embryo, and consists essentially of certain
cells, which do not lie in close contact with each other as do the
cells of epithelium, but are separated by more or less intercellular
material, which may in certain cases be fluid or semi-fluid, but
190 CONNECTIVE TISSUES. [Book i.
which is generally solid, and is commonly spoken of as matrix. In
most forms of connective tissue, the matrix is relatively so abund-
ant and prominent, that the cells or connective tissue corpuscles
as they are called, become inconspicuous ; and, speaking generally,
the value of connective tissue to the body depends much more on
the qualities of the matrix than on the activity of the connective
tissue corpuscles.
The kind of connective tissue, sometimes called ' loose connec-
tive tissue,' which wraps round and forms a bed for the blood vessels,
consists of an irregular meshwork formed by interlacing bundles of
various sizes, which leave between them spaces of very variable
form and size, some being mere chinks or clefts, others being larger,
but generally flattened passages, all containing lymph, and having,
as we shall see, special connections with the lymphatic vessels.
The larger spaces are sometimes called ' areolae,' and this kind of
connective tissue is sometimes spoken of as ' areolar tissue.'
When a small portion of this tissue is teased out carefully under
the microscope, the larger bundles may be separated into finer
bundles, and each bundle, which generally pursues a wavy course,
has a fibrillated appearance, as if made up of exceedingly fine
fibrillae ; treated with lime water or baryta water, the bundles do
actually split up into fine, wavy fibrillse of less than 1 yu, in diameter,
a substance of a peculiar nature which previously cemented the
fibrillse together being dissolved out from between them. When
a mass of such fibrillte is boiled with water, they become converted
into gelatine, a substance containing, like proteid material, carbon,
nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen, with a small quantity of sulphur,
but differing from proteid material both in its percentage compo-
sition and in its properties. A remarkable and well-known feature
of gelatine is that its solutions while fluid at a temperature of
boiling water or somewhat less, become solid or a ' jelly ' at lower
temperatures. The untouched fibrillse, in their natural condition,
behave, as we shall see in speaking of the digestion of connective
tissue, somewhat differently from prepared gelatine ; the natural
fibrilla, therefore, does not consist of gelatine, but of a substance
which by boiling is readily converted into gelatine. The sub-
stance soluble in lime or baryta water, which cements a number of
fibrillar into a bundle, appears to be allied to a body, of which we
shall speak later on, called mucin. Since the fibrillse form by far
the greater part of the matrix of connective tissue, a quantity of
this tissue when boiled seems almost entirely converted into
gelatine.
In connective tissue, then, a number of exceedingly fine, gelati-
niferous fibrillse are cemented together into a fine, microscopic
bundle, and a number of these finer bundles may be similarly
cemented together, or simply apposed together to form larger
bundles ; some of the bundles at least appear, moreover, to be defined
by a delicate, transparent sheath of a somewhat peculiar nature.
Chap. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 191
A number <jf these Inindles, small and large, are arranged as a
meshwork, the irregular spaces of which are occupied by lymph.
On the sides of the bundles towards the spaces, or between the
bundles where these are in apposition, often lying in minute spaces
hollowed out in the cement or ground substance uniting the
bundles, are found the connective tissue corpuscles. Each of these
is a cell consisting of a nucleus, generally oval or elongate, sur-
rounded by a protoplasmic cell-body, usually irregular in form,
being sometimes merely spindle-shaped, but more frequently
distinctly branched or stellate, and nearly always much flattened
in a plane corresponding to the direction of the fibres or bundles of
the matrix. Although, as we have said, the fibrilhe are cemented
together into a bundle, each fibrilla remains sufficiently distinct to
have a marked refractive effect on rays of light falling upon or
transmitted through the tissue, so that the bundles appear white
and opaque ; hence this tissue, and, especially, a more dense form
of it, is sometimes spoken of as white, fibrous tissue. Owing to
this opacity, the more delicate connective tissue corpuscles are not
readily visible in the natural condition of the tissue. They may,
however, be brought to view by the action of dilute acid, such as
acetic acid. Under the influence of this acid each fibrilla swells
out, and the swollen fibrillae, pressing iipon each other, cease to
refract light so much as before, and thus become more trans-
parent, very much as an opaque mass of strips of isinglass becomes
transparent when the strips are swollen by boiling ; this increase
of transparency allows the corpuscles, which are not swollen, but
rather shrunken and made more opaque by the action of the
acid, to become visible. The presence of these corpuscles may
also be revealed by the use of such staining reagents as, while
not staining the fibrillated matrix, stain the nuclei and the proto-
plasmic bodies of the corpuscles.
Besides these branched, irregular, flattened connective tissue
corpuscles, which do not naturally exhibit any amoeboid movements,
leucocytes, exhibiting more or less active movements, are found
in the spaces of the tissue. These leucocytes, like the white
corpuscles within the blood vessels (§ 32), are not all alike, but
present different features. Among them are conspicuous and
fairly abundant relatively large, spherical corpuscles, with coarse,
discrete granules, and sluggish, amoeboid movements ; these, which
have been called 'plasma-corpuscles,' appear to be identical witli
the eosinophile corpuscles so scanty in the blood.
§ 106. When connective tissue is rendered transparent l)y
the action of dilute acetic acid, there come into view, besides
the corpuscles, a number of fibres, different from the gelatiniferous
fibres not only in not being swollen and rendered transparent
by the action of the acid, but also by their size, relatively scanty
number, clear, bold outline and sharply curved course. The fibres
vary much in size, some being very fine, so as to appear mere
192 CONNECTIVE TISSUE. [Book i.
lines, while others are very large with a distinct double outline.
Whether small or large each fibre is a single fibre, not a bundle,
and cannot be split up, like a fibre or small bundle of the ordinary
matrix, into fibrillse ; in the larger fibres, at least, a sheath may be
distinguished from the substance of the fibre. Not only is their
course sharply curved, unlike the gently sweeping outlines of the
gelatiniferous fibres, but they divide and anastomose freely, thus
forming networks of varying shape ; the gelatiniferous fibrillse on
the other hand never divide, and the bundles do not anastomose,
but simply interlace into a network.
The number of these fibres occurring in connective tissue
varies much in different situations, and in some places, as, for
instance, in the Ugamentum nuclice of certain animals, nearly the
whole tissue is composed of large fibres of this kind, having
in the mass a yellow colour, the ordinary gelatiniferous fibres
being reduced to a minimum. In such a situation a remarkable
physical character of these fibres is easily recognized ; they are in
a high degree extensible and elastic ; hence they are frequently
called elastic fibres ; from their yellowish colour they are sometimes
called yellow elastic fibres. The white, gelatiniferous fibrillse, on
the contrary, possess very little extensibility or elasticity.
When a portion of ligamentum nuchse is freed by prolonged
boiling from the remnant of gelatiniferous fibres mixed up with the
yellow, elastic material, the latter is found on chemical treatment
to yield a substance called elastin, which very closely resembles
proteid matter in elementary composition, except that it contains
no sulphur, and which yet probably differs widely from it in nature.
Connective tissue, then, consists of a matrix of inextensible,
inelastic, white, wavy, gelatiniferous fibrillse, cemented into bundles
(the bundles being arranged, in loose, connective tissue, in irregular
meshworks), with which are associated in varying abundance anas-
tomosing, curled, yellow, elastic fibres, and among which are
embedded branched connective tissue corpuscles. Leucocytes of
various kinds are also found in the meshes or areolse of the mesh-
work. We may now return to the structure of the blood vessels.
§ 107. Capillaries. A capillary is, as we said above, a tubular
passage hollowed out in connective tissue. Without special pre-
paration, all that can be seen under the microscope is the outline
of the wall of the capillary, shewing under high powers a double
contour, and marked with oval nuclei which are lodged in the wall
at intervals, and which project somewhat into the lumen or canal
of the vessel. When, however, the tissue containing the capillaries
is treated with a weak solution of silver nitrate, and after being
thoroughly washed, is exposed to light, the wall of the capillary is
seen to be marked out by thin, black lines into spindle-shaped
areas, dovetailing into each other, and so related to the nuclei in
the wall that each nucleus occupies about the centre of an area.
From this and from other facts we conclude that the capillary
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 193
wall is built of flat, fusiform, nucleated plates cemented together
at their edges by some cement substance, which more readily
absorbs and retains silver nitrate than do the plates themselves,
and hence, after treatment with the silver salt, shews in the form
of black lines the silver which has been absorbed and subsequently
reduced. Each plate is a flattened nucleated cell, the cell-body of
which, except for a remnant of undifferentiated protoplasm round
the nucleus, has become converted into differentiated, transparent
material. Since the cells, except for the minimum of cement
substance between them, are in close contact with each other, we
might speak of them as forming an epithelium ; but on account
of their cell-body being reduced to a mere plate, and on account
of their connection, both by origin and nature, with mesoblastic
connective tissue corpuscles, it is convenient to speak of them as
epithelioid cells or plates. They are sometimes spoken of as
endothelial cells or plates. In a small capillary the width of one
of these epithelioid plates at its widest part, where the nucleus
lies, may be of nearly the same size as the circumference of the
even distended capillary ; the cells consequently are placed not
side by side, but more or less alternate with each other, and their
nuclei project alternately into the lumen of the vessel. The
larger capillaries may, however, be so wide that two or even more
cells lie more or less abreast. Outside the capillary, which is thus
a thin and delicate membrane, a mere patchwork of thin, epithelioid
cells cemented together, is always found a certain amount of con-
nective tissue, the wall of the capillary forming, at one or another
place, part of the wall of a lymph-holding, connective tissue space,
and at other places being united by cement material to the
bundles, bands or sheets of the same connective tissue. Not un-
frequently, in young tissues, branched, connective tissue corpuscles
lie upon and embrace a capillary, some of the processes of the cell
being attached to the outside of the epithelioid plates of the capil-
lary. Even in the capillaries of such a tissue as muscle, the net-
work of capillaries embracing a muscular fibre is always surrounded
by a certain, though sometimes a small amount only of connective
tissue ; indeed, wherever capillaries run they are accompanied, as
we have said, by connective tissue, so that everywhere, all over
the body, the blood in the capillary is separated from the lymph
in the spaces of the connective tissue by nothing more than the
exceedingly thin bodies of the cemented epithelioid plates. It must
be added, however, that the spaces in the connective tissue are
themselves sometimes lined by similar epithelioid plates, of which
we shall have to treat in speaking of the lymphatics, so that in
places the partition between the blood and these lymph spaces
may be a double one, and consist of two layers of thin plates.
In any case, however, the partition is an exceedingly thin one,
and so permeable that it allows an adequately rapid interchange
of material between the blood and the lymph. As we shall
13
194 STRUCTURE OF CAPILLARIES. [Book i.
presently see, not only fluids, that is, matters in solution, are able
to pass through the partition into the lymph, but intact corpuscles
both red and white, especially the latter, may, in certain cir-
cumstances, make their way through, and so pass from the interior
of the capillary into the lymph spaces outside. It is probable,
however, that these make their way chiefly, if not exclusively,
through the cement lines, and especially at the points where the
cement lines of three or more cells meet together, and where the
cement substance exists in larger amount than elsewhere.
The size of the capillaries is variable. In some regions of the
body, for instance in the lungs, the capillaries are on the whole
wider than in other regions, for instance, the skin ; and all the
minute vessels joining arteries to veins and possessing the struc-
tural features just described, that is, being true capillaries, will not
always have the same size even in the same region of the body ; the
artery may give rise to large capillaries which branch into small
capillaries, and these again may join into large capillaries before
uniting to form veins. Thus one capillary may be so narrow that a
single (mammalian) red corpuscle passes through it with difficulty,
whereas another capillary may be wide enough to afford room for
two or three such corpuscles to travel abreast. Besides this, the
same capillary may, in the living body, vary in width from time
to time. At one moment, as wJien the entrance on the arterial
side is blocked, or when blood for some reason or another ceases to
flow into it, the capillary may be empty and collapsed, its walls in
contact, and its lumen abolished or nearly so ; and, in tissues taken
from the dead body and prepared for microscopical examination,
the capillaries are generally thus empty of blood and collapsed, so
that they can be seen with difficulty, appearing as they then do as
almost mere lines, with swellings at intervals corresponding to the
nuclei of the constituent cells. At another time, as when blood
is flowing into it at high pressure, the capillary may be widely
distended. In the variations in calibre, the walls of the capillary
play a passive part ; the material of the epithelioid plates is
extensible, and the pressure of the blood within the capillary
distends the walls, and the material being also elastic, the walls
shrink and collapse when the pressure is removed, being assisted
in this by the pressure of the lymph in the spaces outside the
capillary. But besides this, in a young animal, at all events, the
capillary wall is to a certain extent contractile ; the epithelioid
cells, which then appear to contain a large amount of undifferen-
tiated protoplasm, seem able, under the influence of stimuli, to
change their form, passing from a longer and narrower shape to a
shorter and broader one, and thus influencing the calibre of the
tube of which they form the walls. And there are reasons for
thinking that such an active change of form may also take place
in the capillaries of the adult body.
The structure of the capillary then seems adapted to two ends.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 195
In the fir.st place, its walls, being permeable, are adapted for
carrying out that important interchange between the blood and
tissue, which, as we have more than once said, takes place almost
exclusively in the capillary regions. In the second place, the
extensibility and elasticity of its walls permit it to adapt its calibre
to the amount and force with which the blood is flowing into it.
§ 108. Arteries. The wall of a minute artery, i.e. of one
which is soon about to break up into capillaries, and which is
sometimes spoken of as an arteriole, consists of the following parts.
The inside is lined with a layer of fusiform, epithelioid cells,
very similar to those of a capillary and similarly cemented together
into a membrane. The long diameter of these fusiform cells, which
are sometimes very narrow, is placed parallel to the axis of the
artery.
Outside this epithelioid lining comes a thin, transparent,
structureless or finely fibrillated membrane, seen in an optical
■or other section of the artery as a mere line. This membrane,
which serves as a supporting membrane, basement membrane, or
membrana propria, for the epithelioid cells, is similar in chemical
nature and in properties to the elastic fibres found in connective
tissue, and hence is spoken of as the elastic membrane. The
epithelioid cells and the elastic membrane together are often
spoken of as forming the inner coat {tunica inti^na) of the artery.
Wrapped transversely in a more or less distinctly spiral manner
round this inner coat, and imbedded in a small quantity of
connective tissue, lie a number of plain, muscular fibres, arranged
in the smallest arteries in a single layer, in the larger but still
small arteries in more than one layer. This forms in these
arteries the middle or muscular coat {tunica media). Outside
this muscular coat comes the exteimal coat {tunica extima), con-
sisting of connective tissue, the bundles of which are disposed for
the most part longitudinally, and contain a number of connective
tissue corpuscles, and a relatively large number of elastic fibres.
This outer coat is continuous with the connective tissue bed in
which the artery lies.
A minute artery then differs from a capillary, in the thickness
of its walls, whereby the permeability so characteristic of the
capillary is to a great extent lost, in the distinct development of
elastic elements, the elastic membrane of the inner coat, and the
elastic fibres of the outer coat, whereby elastic qualities are
definitely assured to the walls of the vessel, and lastly and chiefly
by the presence of distinct muscular elements. It is obvious, that
while by the development of elastic elements, passive changes of
calibre have a greater scope than in the capillary, active changes
in calibre, which in the capillary are at least obscure, are assured
to the artery by the muscular elements. When these transversely
disposed muscular fibres contract, they must narrow the calibre of
the artery, and may do that against even very considerable internal
196 STEUCTUEE OF AETEEIES. [Book i.
pressure ; when they relax, they allow the internal pressure which
may exist, to distend the vessel and temporarily to increase the
calibre.
When such a small artery breaks up into capillaries, the
muscular fibres and elastic membrane disappear, the remnant of
the muscular coat being sometimes continued for a short distance
in the form of a single fibre, straggling in a spiral fashion round
the artery towards the capillary ; all that is left is the epithelioid
lining of the inner coat, with a little connective tissue to represent
the outer coat.
§ 109. The larger arteries resemble the minute arteries in so
far that their walls may be considered as composed of three coats,
but each of these coats is of a more or less complex nature, and
the minor details of their structure differ in different arteries.
In such an artery as the carotid or radial, the three coats have
the following general characters.
The inner coat is composed of a lining of epithelioid cells
resting not on a single, delicate, basement membrane, but on an
elastic layer of some thickness, consisting chiefly of a so-called
' fenestrated ' elastic membrane or of more than one such mem-
brane, together with some amount of fine, elastic fibres and in
some cases at all events a small quantity of white connective
tissue. A ' fenestrated ' membrane is a membrane composed of
the same substance as the elastic fibres, perforated irregularly
with holes, and more or less marked with indications of fibres ;.
it may be regarded as a feltwork of elastic fibres, fused or
beaten out, as it were, in a more or less complete membrane,
some of the meshes of the feltwork remaining as ' fenestrse,'
and traces of the fibres being still left. Such fenestrated mem-
branes, some thick, some thin, occur both in the inner and middle
coats of the larger arteries ; and in the inner coat, usually im-
mediately under the epithelioid lining, there is in most large
arteries a conspicuous membrane of this kind, sometimes so
thick as to give a very distinct double outline in sections of the
artery even under moderate powers. Beneath this there may be
other similar fenestrated membranes, or a feltwork of fine, elastic
fibres held together by a very small quantity of white connective
tissue. In the aorta, and in some other arteries, the epithelioid
cells rest immediately not on an elastic membrane, but on a thin
layer of so-called ' sub-epithelioid ' tissue, which consists of con-
nective tissue corpuscles imbedded in a homogeneous or very
faintly fibrillated matrix or ground substance.
The epithelioid cells are disposed longitudinally, that is, witli
their long diameters parallel to the axis of the artery, and a
similar longitudinal arrangement obtains to a greater or less
extent in the underlying elastic elements. When, after death,,
the arteries, emptied of blood, become narrowed or constricted
by the contraction of the muscular elements of the middle coat,
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 197
the inner coat is thrown into longitudinal wrinkles or folds, so
that in transverse sections of an artery in this condition the inner
coat has a characteristic puckered appearance.
The inner coat is somewhat delicate, and easily torn, so that
in injuries to arteries, as when an artery is forcibly ligatured, it is
apt to be broken.
The middle coat, which is generally many times thicker than
the inner coat, consists of elastic layers and muscular layers
placed in more or less regular alternation. The muscular layers
consist of bands of plain, muscular fibres, placed transversely, and
united together by a very small amount of white connective tissue.
The elastic layers consist of somewhat thick fenestrated membranes
or of feltworks of elastic fibres running on the whole longitudinally,
but not unfrequently more or less obliquely ; these are also bound
together by a small quantity of white connective tissue.
The outer coat consists of feltworks of elastic fibres, or in
some instances of fenestrated membranes, disposed chiefly longi-
tudinally, and separated by bundles of ordinary white connective
tissue, which become more and more predominant in the outer
portions of the coat. In many arteries bands of plain, muscular
fibres are present in this coat also, and then run for the most part
but not exclusively in a longitudinal direction.
Blood vessels for the nourishment of the tissue of the walls
{vasa vasorum) are present in the larger arteries, being most
abundant in the outer coat, but penetrating for some distance into
the middle coat; the inner coat is probably nourished directly by the
blood in the artery itself. Nerves, consisting chiefly of non-medul-
lated fibres, may be traced through the outer coat into the middle
coat, where they appear to end in connection with the muscular fibres.
Lastly, in the case of most large arteries the bed of connective
tissue, in which the artery runs, is formed into a more or less
distinct sheath. In this sheath the white connective tissue is
much more abundant than are the yellow elastic elements, so that
the sheath is far less elastic than the artery. Hence, when an
artery and its sheath are completely cut across, the artery is, by
elastic shrinking, retracted within its sheath.
The most important structural features of a large artery may
then be summed up by saying that the artery consists of a thin
inner coat consisting of an epithelioid lining resting on an elastic
basis of no conspicuous thickness, of a thick middle coat consisting
partly of muscular fibres disposed for the most part transversely,
and partly of stout, elastic elements, this coat being the thickest
and most important of all three coats, and of an outer coat of
variable thickness consisting chiefly of elastic elements intermixed
with an increasing amount of white connective tissue.
All arteries possess the above features. It may further be
said, that as a general rule the muscular element bears a larger
proportion to the elastic element in the smaller than in the larger
198 STEUCTURE OF VEINS. [Book i.
arteries, that is to say, the smaller arteries are more conspicuously
muscular, and the larger arteries more conspicuously elastic. It
must be remembered, however, that the several arteries of the body
differ considerably in minor features, such as the relative disposition
and amount of muscular and elastic elements in the middle coat,
the amount of muscular tissue in the outer coat, the proportion
of white connective tissue present, and the like ; in the aorta, for
instance, a considerable quantity of white connective tissue is
present in the middle and indeed in the inner coat, as well as in
the outer coat. Leaving these smaller differences on one side, we
may say that while all three coats, but especially the important
middle coat, contribute to give an artery its characteristic elastic
qualities, by virtue of which it expands readily under internal
pressure, and shrinks again when the pressure is removed, it is
the middle coat which by means of the abundant, circularly-
disposed, muscular fibres, now through the contraction of those
fibres narrows and constricts, now through their relaxation permits
the widening of the vessel. The importance of the inner coat is
probably centred in the epithelioid lining ; in treating of blood,
(§ 22) we saw reason to think that the blood vessels exerted a
marked, though obscure influence on the blood streaming through,
them ; that influence in all probability is effected by the epithe-
lioid cells. The elastic elements of the inner coat are probably
chiefly of value in permitting this coat to follow the changes of the
more important middle coat. The outer coat, while increasing the
elastic power of the whole vessel, is especially useful, by means of
its small blood vessels, in conveying nourishment to the middle coat.
§ 110. The Veins. These vary in different parts of the body
so very widely, that it is difficult to give a general description of
structure suitable to all veins. It may be said, however, that they
differ from arteries in having much thinner walls, and in those
walls containing relatively much more white connective tissue,
and much less yellow elastic tissue.
A large vein possesses, like an artery, an inner coat consisting
of an epithelioid lining, the cells of which are shorter and broader
than in the corresponding artery, resting on an elastic basis, which
is less conspicuous than in the corresponding artery, consists
of a fine feltwork of fibres, rather than a fenestrated membrane,.
and contains more white connective tissue.
In a medium sized vein, such as the saphena vein, it is possible-
to distinguish outside the inner coat, a middle and an outer coat.
The former consists of white connective tissue, with a scanty supply
of elastic fibres ; it contains, sometimes in considerable quantity,.
plain, muscular fibres, the bundles of which form a meshwork, with
the meshes disposed for the most part transversely. The latter-
consists also of white connective tissue, with some elastic fibres
running longitudinally and obliquely, plain, muscular fibres being
sometimes present, and when present disposed chiefly in a longi-
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 199
tudinal direction. Small vasa vasoruin are present in the outer
coat, and extend into the middle coat. In many large veins
there is no sharp distinction between a middle and outer coat ; the
whole wrapping round the inner coat consists of white connective
with a variable quantity of elastic tissue, and of muscular fibres
which run chiefly longitudinally or obliquely, and which may be
very scanty, or which, as in the vena porta, may be abundant. The
structure of the veins in fact varies very widely ; on the whole they
may be said to be channels, the walls of which are elastic enough
to adapt themselves to considerable variations in the quantity of
blood passing through them, without possessing, as do the arteries,
a great store of elastic power to meet great variations in pressure,
and which are not so uniformly muscular and contractile as are the
arteries. And we shall see that this general character of passive
channels is adapted to the work which the veins have to do.
This general character, however, is modified in certain situations to
meet particular wants ; thus while the veins of the bones and of
the brain are devoid of muscular fibres, others, such as the vena
portse, may be very muscular ; and in some veins, such as those of
the extremities, a considerable quantity of elastic tissue is present.
A minute vein just emerging from capillaries differs very little
from an artery of corresponding size ; it is of rather wider bore,
has decidedly less muscular and elastic tissue, and the epithelioid
cells are shorter and broader.
Many veins, especially those of the limbs, are provided with
v^alves, which are pouch-like folds of the inner coat, the mouth of
the pouch looking away from the capillaries towards the heart.
The wall of each valve consists of a lining of epithelioid cells on the
inside and on the outside, and between the two, a layer of white
connective tissue, strengthened with a few elastic fibres, and some-
what thicker than the connective tissue basis of the epithelioid
lining of the veins generally. The valves may occur singly, or
may lie two or even three abreast. The veins of the viscera, those
of the central nervous system and its membranes, and of the bones,
do not possess valves.
§ 111. The details of the structure of the peculiar muscular
tissue forming the greater part of the heart we shall reserve to a
later section ; but we may here say that the interior of the heart is
lined with a membrane {endocardium) corresponding to the inner
coat of the blood vessels, and consisting of a layer of epithelioid
cells, which, however, are shorter and broader than in the blood
vessels, being polygonal rather than fusiform, resting on a con-
nective tissue basis in which are present elastic fibres, and, in
places, plain muscular fibres.
The valves of the heart, like those of the veins, are folds of this
lining membrane, strengthened by a considerable development of
connective tissue. In the middle of the thin, free border of each
of the semilunar valves of the aorta and pulmonary artery bundles
200 MAIN FEATUEES OF APPARATUS. [Book i.
of this connective tissue, meeting together, are mixed with cartilage
cells, to form a small nodule of fibro-cartilage called the Corpus
Arantii.
In the auriculo-ventricular valves, muscular fibres pass in
among the connective tissue for some little distance from the
attached border.
In one respect, the endocardium differs from the inner coat of
the blood vessels ; the connective tissue in it bears blood vessels
and lymphatics. In the case of the auriculo-ventricular valves,
these blood vessels of the endocardium traverse a considerable part
of, according to some, the whole of the valve, but in the case of the
semilunar valves, stop short near the attached border, so that the
greater part of the valve is bloodless.
Main Features of the Apparatus.
§ 112. We may now pass briefly in review some of the main
features of the several parts of the vascular apparatus, heart,
arteries, veins and capillaries.
The heart is a muscular pump, that is, a pump the force of
whose strokes is supplied by the contraction of muscular fibres,
working intermittently, the strokes being repeated so many times
(in man about 72 times) a minute. It is so constructed, and
furnished with valves in such a way, that at each stroke it drives
a certain quantity of blood with a certain force and a certain
rapidity from the left ventricle into the aorta, and so into the
arteries, receiving during the stroke and the interval between that
stroke and the next, the same quantity of blood from the veins
into the right auricle. We omit, for simplicity's sake, the pul-
monary circulation by which the same quantity of blood is driven
at the stroke from the right ventricle into the lungs, and received
into the left auricle. The rhythm of the beat, that is, the fre-
quency of repetition of the strokes, and the characters of each
beat or stroke, are determined by changes taking place in the
tissues of the heart itself, though they are also influenced by
causes working from without.
The arteries are tubes, with relatively stout walls, branching
from the aorta all over the body. The constitution of their walls,
as we have seen, especially of the middle coat, gives the arteries
two salient properties. In the first place, they are verij elastic^
in the sense that they will stretch readily, both lengthways and
crosswise, when pulled, and return readily to their former size
and shape when the pull is taken off. If fluid be driven into one
end of a piece of artery, the other end of which is tied, the artery
will swell out to a very great extent, but return immediately to
its former calibre when the fluid is let out. This elasticity is,
as we have seen, chiefly due to the elastic elements in the coats,
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 201
elastic membranes and feltworks, but the muscular fibres beinw
themselves also elastic contribute to the result. By reason of
their possessing such stout elastic walls, the arteries when empty
do not collapse, but remain as open tubes. In the second place,
the arteries by virtue of their muscular elements are contwxtiU ;
when stimulated either directly as by applying an electric or
mechanical stimulus to the arterial walls or indirectly by means
of the so-called vaso-motor nerves, which we shall have to study
presently, the arteries shrink in calibre, the circularly disposed
muscular fibres contracting, and so, in proportion to the amount
of their contraction, narrowing the lumen or bore of the vessel.
The contraction of these arterial muscular fibres, like that of all
plain, non-striated muscular fibres, is slow and long continued, with
a long, latent period, as compared with the contraction of skeletal,
striated muscular fibres. Owing to this muscular element in the
arterial walls, the calibre of an artery may be very narrow, or very
wide, or in an intermediate condition between the two, neither
very narrow nor very wide, according as the muscular fibres are
very much contracted, or not contracted at all, or only moderately
contracted. We have further seen that, while the relative pro-
portion of elastic and muscular elements differs in different
arteries, as a general rule the elastic elements predominate in
the larger arteries and the muscular elements in the smaller
arteries, so that the larger arteries may be spoken of as emi-
nently elastic, or as especially useful on account of their elastic
properties, and the smaller arteries as eminently muscular, or
as especially useful on account of their muscular properties. Thus,
in the minute arteries which are just passing into capillaries
the muscular coat, though composed often of a single layer, and
that sometimes an imperfect one, of muscular fibres, is a much
more conspicuous and important part of the arterial wall than that
furnished by the elastic elements.
The arteries, branching out from a single aorta down to multi-
tudinous capillaries in nearly every part of the body, diminish in
bore as they divide. Where an artery divides into two, or gives off
a branch, though the bore of each division is less than that of the
artery before the division or branching, the two together are
greater ; that is to say, the united sectional area of the branches
is greater than the sectional area of the trunk. Hence t^ie
sectional area of the arterial bed, through which the blood flows,
goes on increasing from the aorta to the capillaries. If all the
arterial branches were thrown together into one channel, this
would form a hollow cone, with its apex at the aorta and its base
at the capillaries. The united sectional area of the capillaries
may be taken as several hundred times that of the sectional area
of the aorta, so greatly does the arterial bed widen out.
The capillaries are channels of variable but exceedingly small
size. The thin sheet of cemented epithelioid plates, which forms
202 MAIN FEATURES OF APPAEATUS. [Book i.
the only wall of a capillary, is elastic, permitting the channel offered
by the same capillary to differ much in width at different times,
to widen when blood plasma and blood corpuscles are being pressed
through it, and to narrow again when the pressure is lessened or
cut off. The same thin sheet permits water and substances,,
including gases, in solution to pass through itself from the blood
to the tissue outside the capillary, and from the tissue to the
blood, and thus carries on the interchange of material between the
blood and the tissue. In certain circumstances, at all events, white
and even red corpuscles may also pass through the wall to the
tissue outside.
The minute arteries and veins with which the capillaries are
continuous allow of a similar interchange of material, the more so
the smaller they are.
The walls of the veins are thinner, weaker, and less elastic
than those of the arteries, and possess a very variable amount of
muscular tissue ; they collapse when the veins are empty. Though
all veins are more or less elastic, and some veins are distinctly
muscular, the veins as a whole cannot, like the arteries, be
characterized as eminently elastic and contractile tubes ; they
are rather to be regarded as simple channels for conveying the
blood from the capillaries to the heart, having just so much
elasticity as will enable them to accommodate themselves to the
quantity of blood passing through them, the same vein being at
one time full and distended, and at another time empty and
shrunk, and only gifted with any great amount of muscular
contractility in special cases for special reasons. The united
sectional area of the veins, like that of the arteries, diminishes
from the capillaries to the heart ; but the united sectional area
of the venffi cavse at their junction with the right auricle is
greater than, nearly twice as great as, that of the aorta at its
origin. The total capacity also of the veins is much greater than
that of the arteries. The veins alone can hold the total mass of
blood which in life is distributed over both arteries and veins.
Indeed, nearly the whole blood is capable of being received by
what is merely a part of the venous system, viz. the vena portse^
and its branches.
SEC. 2. THE MAIN FACTS OF THE CIECULATION.
§ 113. Before we attempt to study in detail the working of
these several parts of the mechanism, it will be well, even at the
risk of some future repetition, to take ^ a brief survey of some
of the salient features.
At each beat of the heart, which in man is repeated about 72
times a minute, the contraction or systole of the ventricles drives
a quantity of blood with very great force into the aorta (and the
same quantity of blood with less force into the pulmonary artery) ;
the actual amount varies from time to time, but 180 c.c. (4 to 6 oz.)
may be taken as a rather high estimate. The discharge of blood
from the ventricle into the aorta is very rapid, and the time
taken up by it is, as we shall see, less than the time which inter-
venes between it and the next discharge of the next beat. So
that the flow from the heart into the arteries is most distinctly
intermittent, sudden, rapid discharges alternating with relatively
longer intervals, during which the arteries receive no blood from
the heart.
At each beat of the heart just as much blood flows, as we shall
see, from the veins into the right auricle as escapes from the left
ventricle into the aorta ; but, as we shall also see, this inflow is
much slower, takes a longer time, than the discharge from the
ventricle.
When the finger is placed on an artery in the living body, a
sense of resistance is felt, and this resistance seems to be increased
at intervals, corresponding to the heart beats, the artery at each
heart beat being felt to rise up or expand under the finger,
constituting what we shall study hereafter as the pulse. In certain
arteries this pulse may be seen by the eye. When the finger is
similarly placed on a corresponding vein, very little resistance is
felt, and under ordinary circumstances no pulse can be perceived
by the touch or by the eye.
When an artery is severed, the flow of blood from the proximal
cut end, that on the heart side, is not equable, but comes in jets.
204 BLOOD PRESSUEE. [Book i.
corresponding to the heart beats, though the flow does not cease
between the jets. The blood is ejected with considerable force,
and may, in a large artery of a large animal, be spurted out to the
distance of some feet. The larger the artery and the nearer to the
heart, the greater the force with which the blood issues, and the
more marked the intermittence of the flow. The flow from the
distal cut end, that away from the heart, may be very slight, or
may take place with considerable force and marked intermittence,
according to the amount of collateral communication.
When a corresponding vein is severed, the flow of blood, which
is chiefly from the distal cut end, that in connection with the
capillaries, is not jerked but continuous ; the blood comes out with
comparatively little force, and ' wells up ' rather than ' spurts out.'
The flow from the proximal cut end, that on the heart side, may
amount to nothing at all, or may be slight, or may be considerable,
depending on the presence or absence of valves and the amount
of collateral communication.
When an artery is ligatured, the vessel swells on the proximal
side, towards the heart, and the throbbing of the pulse may be
felt right up to the ligature. On the distal side, the vessel is
empty and shrunk, and no pulse can be felt in it unless there
be free collateral communication.
When a vein is ligatured, the vessel swells on the distal side,
away from the heart, but no pulse is felt ; while on the proximal
side, towards the heart, it is empty and collapsed unless there be
too free collateral communication.
I 114. When the interior of an artery, for instance the carotid,
is placed in communication with a long glass tube of not too great
a bore, held vertically, the blood, immediately upon the communi-
cation being effected, may be seen to rush into and to fill the tube
for a certain distance, forming in it a column of blood of a certain
height. The column rises not steadily but by leaps, each leap
corresponding to a heart beat, and each leap being less than its
predecessor ; and this goes on, the increase in the height of the
column at each heart beat each time diminishing, until at last
the column ceases to rise, and remains for a while at a mean level,
above and below which it oscillates with slight excursions at each
heart beat.
To introduce such a tube, an artery, say the carotid of a rabbit,
is laid bare, ligatured at a convenient spot, V Fig. 26, and further
temporarily closed a little distance lower down nearer the heart by a
small pair of ' bull-dog ' forceps, hd, or by a ligature which can be
easily slipped. A V-shaped cut is now made in the artery between
the forceps, bd, and the ligature V (only the drop or two of blood
which happens to remain enclosed between the two being lost) : the
end of the tube, represented by c in the figure, is introduced into the
artery and secured by the ligature I. The interior of the tube is now
in free communication with the interior of the artery, but the latter
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 205
is, by means of tlie forceps, at present shut off from the heart. On
removing the forceps a direct commiiuicatiou is at once established
between the tube and the artery below; in consequence the blood from
the heart flows through the artery into the tube.
This experiment shews that the blood as it is flowing into the
carotid is exerting a considerable pressure on the walls of the
artery. At the moment when the forceps is removed, there is
nothing but the ordinary pressure of the atmosphere to counter-
balance this pressure within the artery, and consequently a
quantity of blood is pressed out into the tube ; and this goes on
until the column of blood in the tube reaches such a height that
its weight is equal to the pressure within the artery, whereupon
no more blood escapes. The whole column continues to be raised
a little at each heart beat, but sinks as much during the interval
between each two beats, and thus oscillates, as we have said,
above and below a mean level. In a rabbit this column of blood
will generally have the height of about 90 cm. (.3 feet) ; that is to
say, the pressure which the blood exerts on the walls of the carotid
of a rabbit is equal to the pressure exerted by a column of rabbit's
blood 90 cm. high. This is equal to the pressure of a column
of water about 95 cm. high, and to the pressure of a column of
mercury about 70 mm. high.
If a like tube be similarly introduced into a corresponding
vein, say the jugular vein, it will be found that the column of
blood, similarly formed in the tube, will be a very low one, not
more than a very few centimeters high ; and that while the level
of the column may vary a good deal, owing as we shall see later
to the influence of the respiratory movements, there will not, as
in the artery, be oscillations corresponding to the heart beats.
We learn, then, from this simple experiment, that in the carotid
of the rabbit the blood, while it flows through that vessel, is
exerting a considerable mean pressure on the arterial walls, equi-
valent to that of a column of mercury about 70 mm. high, but that
in the jugular vein the blood exerts on the venous walls a very
slight mean pressure, equivalent to that of a column of blood a few
centimeters high, or of a column of mercury three or four milli-
meters high. We speak of this mean pressure exerted by the
blood on the walls of the blood vessels as Hood pressure, and we
say that the blood pressure in the carotid of the rabbit is very
high (70 mm. Hg.), while that in the jugular vein is very low (only
3 or 4 mm. Hg.).
In the normal state of things, the blood Hows through the
carotid to the arterial branches beyond, and through the jugular
vein towards the heart ; the pressure exerted by the blood on the
artery, or on the vein is a lateral pressure on the walls of the
artery and vein respectively. In the above experiment the pres-
sure measured is not exactly this, but the pressure exerted at the
end of the artery (or of the vein) where the tube is attached. We
206 BLOOD PEESSURE. [Book i.
might directly measure the lateral pressure in the carotid by some-
what modifying the procedure described above. We might connect
the carotid with a tube, the end of which was not straight but
made in the form of a H- piece, and might introduce the |- piece
in such a way that the blood should flow along one limb (the
vertical limb) of the |- piece from the proximal to the distal part
of the carotid, and at the same time by the other (horizontal) limb
of the J- piece into the main, upright part of the glass tube. The
column of blood in the tube would then be a measure of the
pressure which the blood, as it is flowing along the carotid, is
exerting on a portion of its walls corresponding to the mouth of
the horizontal limb of the |- piece. If we were to introduce
into the aorta, at the place of origin of the carotid, a similar
(larger) |- piece, and to connect the glass tube with the horizontal
limb of the |- piece by a piece of elastic tubing of the same length
and bore as the carotid, the column of blood rising up in the tube
would be the measure of the lateral pressure exerted by the blood
•on the walls of the aorta at the origin of the carotid artery, and
transmitted to the rigid glass tube through a certain length of
elastic tubing. And, indeed, what is measured in the experiment
previously described is not the lateral pressure in the carotid itself
at the spot where the glass tube is introduced, but the lateral
pressure of the aorta at the origin of the carotid, modified by the
influences exerted by the length of the carotid between its origin
aiid the spot where the tube is introduced.
§ 115. Such an experiment as the one described has the dis-
advantages that the animal is weakened by the loss of the blood,
which goes to form the column in the tube, and that the blood
in the tube soon clots, and so brings the experiment to an end.
Blood pressure may be more conveniently studied by connecting
the interior of the artery (or vein) with a mercury gauge or
manometer. Fig. 26, the proximal, descending limb of which, m,
is filled above the mercury with some innocuous fluid, as is also
the tube connecting the manometer with the artery. Using such
an instrument we should observe very much the same facts as in
the more simple experiment.
Immediately that communication is established between the
interior of the artery and the manometer, blood rushes from the
former into the latter, driving some of the mercury from the de-
scending limb, m, into the ascending limb, mf, and thus causing
the level of the mercury in the ascending limb to rise rapidly.
This rise is marked by jerks corresponding with the heart beats.
Having reached a certain level, the mercury ceases to rise any
more. It does not, however, remain absolutely at rest, but under-
goes oscillations ; it keeps rising and falling. Each rise, which is
very slight compared with the total height to which the mercury
has risen, has the same rhythm as the systole of the ventricle.
Similarly, each fall corresponds with the diastole.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
207
Fig. 26
208 BLOOD PRESSUEE. [Book j.
Fig. 26. Apparatus for investigating Blood Pressure.
At the upper right-hand corner is seen, on an enlarged scale, the carotid artery,
clamped by the forceps bd, with the vagus nerve v lying by its side. The artery
has been ligatured at /', and the glass cannula c has been introduced into the artery
between the ligature /' and the forceps bd, and secured in position by the ligature I.
The shrunken artery on the distal side of the cannula is seen at ca'.
p.b. is a box containing a bottle holding a saturated solution of sodium car-
bonate, or of sodium bicarbonate, or a mixture of the two, and capable of being
raised or lowered at pleasure. The solution flows by the tube p.t. regulated by the
clamp c" into the tube t. A syringe, with a stopcock, may be substituted for the
bottle, and attached at c". This, indeed, is in many respects a more convenient plan.
The tube t is connected with the leaden tube t, and the stopcock c with the mano-
meter, of which m is the descending and m' the ascending limb, and s the support.
The mercury in the ascending limb bears on its surface the iioat fl, a long rod
attached to which is iitted with the pen p, writing on the recording surface r. The
clamp cl. at the end of the tube t has an arrangement shewn on a larger scale at
the right-hand upper corner.
The descending tube m of the manometer and the tube t being completely filled
along its whole length with fluid to the exclusion of all air, the cannula c is filled
with fluid, slipped into the open end of the thick-walled india rubber tube i, until it
meets the tube t (whose position within the india rubber tube is she-\vn by the dotted
lines), and is then securely fixed in this position by the clamp d.
The stopcocks c and c" are now opened, and the pressure-bottle raised or fluid
driven in by the syringe until the mercury in the manometer is raised to the
required height. The clamp c" is then closed and the forceps bd removed from the
artery. The pressure of the blood in the carotid ca. is in consequence brought to
bear through t upon the mercury in the manometer.
If a float, swimming on the top of the mercury in the ascending
limb of the manometer, and bearing a brush or other marker, be
brought to bear on a travelling surface, some such tracing as that
represented in Fig. 27 will be described. Each of the smaller
Fig. 27. Tracing op Arterial Pressure with a Mercury ManometeRo
The smaller curves p p are the pulse-curves. The space from r to r embraces
a respiratory undulation. The tracing is taken from a dog, and the irregularities
visible in it are those frequently met with in this animal.
curves (p, p) corresponds to a heart beat, the rise corresponding to
the systole, and the fall to the diastole of the ventricle. The larger
undulations (r, r) in the tracing, which are respiratory in origin,
will be discussed hereafter. In Tig. 28 are given two tracings
taken from the carotid of a rabbit ; in the lower curve the record-
ing surface is travelling more rapidly than in the upper curve ;
otherwise the curves are alike and repeat the general features of
the curve from the dog.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 209
Tig. 28. Blood Pressure Curves from the Carotid of Rabbit, the Time
Marker in each case marking Seconds.
Description of Experiment. Into a carotid, or other blood vessel,
prepared as explained, a small glass tube, of suitable bore, called a
cannula, is introduced by the method described above, and is subse-
quently connected by means of a short piece of india rubber tubing (Fig.
26 i), and a leaden or other tube t, which is at once flexible and yet not
extensible, with the descending limb, m, of the manometer or mercury
gauge. The cannula, tube, and descending limb of the manometer are
all filled with some fluid which tends to prevent clotting of the
blood, the one chosen being generally a strong solution of sodium
bicarbonate, but other fluids may be chosen. In order to avoid loss
of blood, a quantity of fluid is injected into the flexible tube suf-
ficient to raise the mercury in the ascending limb of the manometer
to a level a very little below what may be beforehand guessed at
as the probable mean pressure. When the forceps bcl is removed,
the pressure of the blood in the carotid is transmitted through the
flexible tube to the manometer, the level of the mercury in the ascend-
ing limb of which rises a little, or sinks a little at first, or may do
neither, according to the success with which the probable mean pres-
sure has been guessed, and continues to exhibit the characteristic
oscillations until the experiment is brought to an end by the blood
clotting or otherwise.
Tracings of the movements of the column of mercury in the mano-
meter may be taken either on a smoked surface of a revolving cylinder
(Fig. 2), or by means of ink on a continuous roll of paper, as in the
more complex kymograph (Fig. 29).
§ 116. By the help of the manometer applied to various
arteries and veins we learn the following facts :
(1) The mean blood pressure is high in all the arteries, but
is greater in the larger arteries nearer the heart than in the
smaller arteries farther from the heart ; it diminishes, in fact,
along the arterial tract from the heart towards the capillaries.
(2) The mean blood pressure is low in the veins, but is greater
in the smaller veins nearer the capillaries than in the larger veins
nearer the heart, diminishing, in fact, from the capillaries towards
the heart. In the large veins near the heart it may be negative,
14
210
BLOOD PEESSUEE.
[Book i.
that is to say, the pressure of blood in the vein bearing on the
proximal descending limb of the manometer may be less than
Fig. 29. Ludwig's Kymograph for recording on a continuous roll of paper.
the pressure of the atmosphere on the ascending distal limb, so
that when communication is made between the interior of the vein
and the manometer, the mercury sinks in the distal and rises in
the proximal limb, being sucked up towards the vein.
The manometer cannot well be applied to the capillaries, but we
may measure the blood pressure in the capillaries in an indirect way.
It is well known that when any portion of the skin is pressed upon,
it becomes pale and bloodless ; this is due to the pressure driving
the blood out of the capillaries and minute vessels, and preventing
any fresh blood entering into them. By carefully investigating
the amount of pressure necessary to prevent the blood entering
the capillaries and minute arteries of the web of the frog's foot, or
of the skin beneath the nail or elsewhere in man, the internal
pressure which the blood is exercising on the walls of the capil-
laries and minute arteries and veins may be approximately deter-
mined. In the frog's web this has been found to be equal to
about 7 or 11 mm. mercury. In the mammal, the capillary blood
pressure is naturally higher than this, and may be put down at
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
211
from 15 to 20 iniu. It is, therefore, considerable, being greater
than that in the veins, though less than that in the arteries.
(3) There is thus a continued decline of blood pressure from
the root of the aorta, through the arteries, capillaries and veins to
the right auricle. We find, however, on examination, that the most
marked fall of pressure takes place between the small arteries on
the one side of the capillaries, and the small veins on the other,
the curve of pressure being somewhat of the form given in
Fig. 30, which is simply intended to shew this fact graphically,
and has not been constructed by exact measurements.
A, Arteries.
Fig. 30. Diagram of Blood Pkessure.
P, Peripheral Region (minute arteries, capillaries and veins).
V, Veins.
(4) In the arteries this mean pressure is marked by oscillations
corresponding to the heart beats, each oscillation consisting of a
rise (increase of pressure above the mean) corresponding to the
systole of the ventricle, followed by a fall (decrease of pressure
below the mean) corresponding to the diastole of the ventricle.
(5) These oscillations, which we may speak of as the pulse,
are largest and most conspicuous in the large arteries near the
heart, diminish from the heart towards the capillaries, and are,
under ordinary circumstances, wholly absent from the veins along
their whole extent from the capillaries to the heart.
Obviously a great change takes place in that portion of the
circulation which comprises the capillaries, the minute arteries
leading to and the minute veins leading away from the capillaries,
and which we may speak of as the " peripheral region." It is here
that a great drop of pressure takes place ; it is here, also, that the
pulse disappears.
§ 117. If the web of a frog's foot be examined with a micro-
scope, the blood, as judged of by the movements of the corpuscles,
is seen to be passing in a continuous stream from the small
arteries through the capillaries to the veins. The velocity is
greater in the arteries than in the veins, and greater in both than
in the capillaries. In the arteries faint pulsations, synchronous
212 CAPILLAEY CIECULATIOK [Book i.
with the heart's beat, are frequently visible ; but these disappear
in the capillaries, in which the flow is even ; that is, not broken by
pulsations, and this evenness of flow is continued on along the
veins so far as we can trace them. Not infrequently variations in
velocity and in the distribution of the blood, due to causes which
will be hereafter discussed, are witnessed from time to time.
The character of the flow through the smaller capillaries is
very variable. Sometimes the corpuscles are seen passing through
the channel in single file with great regularity ; at other times
they may be few and far between. Some of the capillaries, as we
have said § 107, are wide enough to permit two or more corpuscles
abreast. In all cases the blood, as it passes through the capillary,
stretches the walls and expands the tube. Sometimes a corpuscle
may remain stationary at the entrance into a capillary, the channel
itself being for some little distance entirely free from corpuscles.
Sometimes many corpuscles will appear to remain stationary in one
or more capillaries for a brief period, and then move on again. Any
one of these conditions readily passes into another ; and, especially
with a somewhat feeble circulation, instances of all of them may
be seen in the same field of the microscope. It is only when the
vessels of the web are unusually full of blood that all the capil-
laries can be seen equally filled with corpuscles. The long, oval,
red corpuscle moves with its long axis parallel to the stream,
occasionally rotating on its long axis, and sometimes, in the larger
channels, on its short axis. The flexibility and elasticity of a
corpuscle are well seen when it is being driven into a capillary
narrower than itself, or when it becomes temporarily lodged at
the angle between two diverging channels.
These, and other phenomena on which we shall dwell later on,
may be readily seen in the web of the frog's foot or in the
stretched-out tongue or in the mesentery of the frog ; and essen-
tially similar phenomena may be observed in the mesentery or
other transparent tissue of a mammal. All over the body,
wherever capillaries are present, the corpuscles and the plasma
are being driven in a continuous, and though somewhat irre-
gular, yet, on the whole, steady flow through channels so minute
that the passage is manifestly attended with considerable diffi-
culties.
It is obvious that the peculiar characters of the flow through
the minute arteries, capillaries, and veins, afford an explanation
of the great change, taking place in the peripheral region, between
the arterial flow and the venous flow. The united sectional area
of the capillaries is, as we have seen, some hundreds of times
greater than the sectional area of the aorta; but this united
sectional area is made up of thousands of minute passages, vary-
ing in man from 5 to 20 //-, some of them, therefore, being in
an undistended condition, smaller than the diameter of a red
corpuscle. Even were the blood a simple liquid free from all
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 213
corpuscles, these extremely minute passages would occasion a
very great amount of friction, and thus present a considerable
obstacle or resistance to the How of blood through them. Still
greater must be the friction and resistance occasioned by the
actual blood with its red and white corpuscles. The blood, in fact,
meets with great difficulties in its passage through the peripheral
region, and sometimes, as we shall see, the friction and resistance
are so great in the peripheral vessels of this or that area that no
blood at all passes through them, and an arrest of the flow takes
place in the area.
The resistance to the flow of blood thus caused by the friction
generated in so many minute passages is one of the most important
physical facts in the circulation. In the large arteries the friction
is small; it increases gradually as they divide, but receives its
chief and most important addition in the minute arteries and
capillaries : it is relatively greater in the minute arteries than in
the capillaries on account of the flow being more rapid in the
former, for friction diminishes rapidly with a diminution in the
rate of flow. We may speak of it as the 'peripheral friction,'
and the resistance which it offers as the ' peripheral resistance.'
It need, perhaps, hardly be said that this peripheral resistance
not only opposes the flow of blood through the capillaries and
minute arteries themselves where it is generated, but, working
backwards along the whole arterial system, has to be overcome
by the heart at each systole of the ventricle.
Hydraulic Principles of the Circulation.
§ 118. In the circulation, then, the following three facts of
fundamental importance are met with :
1. The systole of the ventricle, driving at intervals a certain
quantity of blood, with a certain force, into the aorta.
2. The peripheral resistance just described.
3. A long stretch of elastic tubing (the arteries), reaching
from the ventricle to the region of peripheral resistance.
From these facts we may explain the main phenomena of the
circulation, which we have previously sketched, on purely physical
principles, without any appeal to the special properties of living
tissues, beyond the provision that the ventricle remains capable
of good rhythmical contractions, that the arterial walls retain
their elasticity, and that the friction between the blood and the
lining of the peripheral vessels remains the same ; we may thus
explain the high pressure and pulsatile flow in the arteries, the
steady stream through the capillaries, the low pressure and the
uniform pulseless flow in the veins, and, finally, the continued flow
of the blood from the aorta to the mouths of the venfe cava?.
All the above phenomena in fact are the simple results of an
214 HYDRAULIC PEINCIPLES. [Book i.
intermittent force (like that of the systole of the ventricle) working
in a closed circuit of branching tubes so arranged that, while the
individual tubes first diminish in calibre (from the heart to the
capillaries) and then increase (from the capillaries to the heart),
the area of the bed first increases and then diminishes, the tubes
together thus forming two cones placed base to base at the capil-
laries, with their apices converging to the heart, and presenting
at their conjoined bases a conspicuous peripheral resistance, the
tubing on one side, the arterial, being eminently elastic, and on
the other, the venous, affording a free and easy passage for the
blood. It is the peripheral resistance (for the resistance offered
by the friction in the larger vessels may, when compared with
this, be practically neglected), reacting through the elastic walls
of the arteries upon the intermittent force of the heart, which
gives the circulation of the blood its peculiar features.
§ 119. Circumstances determining the character of the flow.
When fluid is driven by an intermittent force, as by a pump,
through a perfectly rigid tube, such as a glass one (or a system of
such tubes), there escapes at each stroke of the pump from the
distal end of the tube (or system of tubes) just as much fluid as
enters it at the proximal end. What happens is very like what
would happen if, with a wide glass tube completely filled with
billiard balls lying in a row, an additional ball were pushed in at
one end ; each ball would be pushed on in turn a stage further,
and the last ball at the further end would tumble out. The
escape, moreover, takes place at the same time as the entrance.
This result remains the same when any resistance to the flow is
introduced into the tube, as, for instance, when the end of the tube
is narrowed. The force of the pump remaining the same, the
introduction of the resistance undoubtedly lessens the quantity
of fluid issuing at the distal end at each stroke, but it at the
same time lessens the quantity entering at the proximal end ;
the inflow and outflow remain equal to each other, and still occur
at the same time.
In an elastic tube, such as an india rubber one (or in a system
of such tubes), whose sectional area is sufficiently great to offer
but little resistance to the progress of the fluid, the flow caused
by an intermittent force is also intermittent. The outflow being
nearly as easy as the inflow, the elasticity of the walls of
the tube is scarcely at all called into play. The tube behaves
practically like a rigid tube. When, however, sufficient resistance
is introduced into any part of the course, the fluid, being unable
to pass by the resistance as rapidly as it enters the tube from
the pump, tends to accumulate on the proximal side of the re-
sistance. This it is able to do by expanding the elastic walls of
the tube. At each stroke of the pump a certain quantity of fluid
enters the tube at the proximal end. Of this only a fraction can
pass through the resistance during the stroke. At the moment when
Chap. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 215
the stroke ceases, the rest still remains on the proximal side of the
resistance, the elastic tube having expanded to receive it. During
the interval between this and tlie next stroke, the distended
elastic tube, striving to return to its natural undistended con-
dition, presses on this extra (quantity of fluid which it contains
and tends to drive it past the resistance.
Thus in the rigid tube (and- in the elastic tube without the
resistance) there issues, from the distal end of the tube, at each
stroke, just as much fluid as enters it at the proximal end, while
between the strokes there is perfect quiet. In the elastic tube
with resistance, on the contrary, the quantity which passes the
resistance is only a fraction of that which enters the tube from
the pump at any one stroke, the remainder or a portion of the
remainder continuing to pass during the interval between the
strokes. In the former case, the tube is no fuller at the end of the
stroke than at the beginning ; in the latter case there is an accu-
mulation of fluid between the pump and the resistance, and a
corresponding distension of that part of the tube, at the close of
each stroke, — an accumulation and distension, however, which go
on diminishing during the interval between that stroke and the
next. The amount of fluid thus remaining after the stroke will
depend on the amount of resistance in relation to the force of the
stroke, and on the distensibility of the tube ; and the amount which
passes the resistance before the next stroke will depend on the
degree of elastic reaction of which the tube is capable. Thus, if the
resistance be very considerable in relation to the force of the stroke,
and the tube very distensible, only a small portion of the fluid will
pass the resistance, the greater part remaining lodged between the
pump and the resistance. If the elastic reaction be great, a large
portion of this will be passed on through the resistance before the
next stroke comes. In other words, the greater the resistance (in
relation to the force of the stroke), and the more the elastic force
is brought into play, the less intermittent, the more nearly conti-
nuous, will be the flow on the far side of the resistance.
If the first stroke be succeeded by a second stroke before its
quantity of fluid has all passed by the resistance, there will be an
additional accumulation of fluid on the near side of the resistance,
an additional distension of the tube, an additional strain on its
elastic powers, and, in consequence, the flow between this second
stroke and the third will be even more marked than that between
the first and the second, though all three strokes were of the same
force, the addition being due to the extra amount of elastic force
called into play. In fact, it is evident that, if there be a sufficient
store of elastic power to fall back upon, by continually repeating
the strokes a state of things will be at last arrived at, in wliich the
elastic force, called into play by the continually increasing dis-
tension of the tube on the near side of the resistance, will be
sufficient to drive througli the resistance, between each two strokes,
216 ARTIFICIAL MODEL. [Book i.
just as much fluid as enters the near end of the system at each
stroke. In other words, the elastic reaction of the walls of the
tube will have converted the intermittent into a continuous flow.
The flow on the far side of the resistance is in this case not the
direct result of the strokes of the pump. The force of the pump
is spent, first in getting up, and afterwards in keeping up the
distension of the tube on the near side of the resistance ; the
immediate cause of the continuous flow lies in the distension of
the tube, which leads it to empty itself into the far side of the
resistance at such a rate that it discharges through the resistance
during a stroke and in the succeeding interval just as much as it
receives from the pump by the stroke itself.
This is exactly what takes place in the vascular system. The
friction in the minute arteries and capillaries presents a consider-
able resistance to the flow of blood through them into the small
veins. In consequence of this resistance, the force of the heart's
beat is spent in maintaining the whole of the arterial system in a
state of great distension ; the arterial walls are put greatly on the
stretch by the pressure of the blood thrust into them by the re-
peated strokes of the heart ; this is the pressure which we spoke of
above as blood pressure. The greatly distended arterial system is,
by the elastic reaction of its elastic walls, continually tending to
empty itself by overflowing through the capillaries into the venous
system ; and it overflows at such a rate, that just as much blood
passes from the arteries to the veins during each systole and its
succeeding diastole as enters the aorta at each systole.
§ 120. Indeed, the important facts of the circulation which
we have as yet studied may be roughly but successfully imitated
on an artificial model. Fig. 31, in which an elastic syringe repre-
sents the heart, a long piece of elastic india rubber tubing the
arteries, another piece of tubing the veins, and a number of
smaller connecting pieces the minute arteries and capillaries. If
these connecting pieces be made at first somewhat wide, so as to
offer no great resistance to the flow from the artificial arteries
to the artificial veins, but be so arranged that they may be made
narrow, by the screwing-up of clamps or otherwise, it is possible to
illustrate the behaviour of the vascular mechanism when the peri-
pheral resistance is less than usual (and as we shall see later on, it
is possible in the living organism either to reduce or to increase
what may be considered as the normal peripheral resistance), and
to compare that behaviour with the behaviour of the mechanism
when the peripheral resistance is increased.
The whole apparatus being placed flat on a table, so as to
avoid differences in level in different parts of it, and filled with
water, but so as not to distend the tubing, the two manometers
attached, one. A, to the arterial side of the tubing, and the other,
V, to the venous side, ought to shew the mercury standing at
equal heights in both limbs of both instruments, since nothing
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
217
but the pressure of the atmosphere is bearing on the fluid in the
tubes, and that equally all over.
Fig. 31. Arterial Scheme.
P, unshaded, is an elastic tube to represent the arterial system branching at
X and Y, and ending in the region of peripheral resistance, including the capillaries,
which are imitated by filling loosely with small pieces of sponge the parts shewn as
dilated in the figure. The capillaries are gathered up into the venous system, shaded,
which terminates at 0. Water is driven into the arterial system at P by means of
an elastic bag-syringe, or any other form of pump. Clamps are placed on the
undilated tubes c, c', c". When these clamps are tightened, the only access for the
water from the arterial to the venous side is through the dilated parts filled with
sponge, which offer a considerable resistance to the flow of fluid through them.
When the clamps are unloosed the fluid passes, with much less resistance, through
the uudilatfed tubes. Thus by tightening or loosening the clamps the " peripheral "
resistance may be increased or diminished at pleasure.
At A, on the arterial side, and at V, on the venous side, manometers can be
attached. At a and v (and also at x and //) by means of clamps, tlie flow of fluid
from an artery and from a vein, under various conditions, may be observed. At Sa,
S'a, and Sv, sphygmographs may be applied.
If now, the connecting pieces being freely open, that is to say,
the peripheral resistance being very little, we imitate a ventricular
beat by the stroke of the pump, we shall observe the following.
Almost immediately after the stroke the mercury in the arterial
manometer will rise, but will at once fall again, and very shortly
afterwards the mercury in the venous tube will in a similar manner
rise and fall. If we repeat the strokes with a not too rapid rhythm,
each stroke having the same force, and make, as may by a simple
contrivance be effected, the two manometers write on the same
recording surface, we shall obtain curves like those of Fig. 32,
A and V. At each stroke of the pump the mercury in the
arterial manometer rises, but forthwith falls again to or nearly to
218 AETIFICIAL MODEL. [Book i.
the base line ; no mean arterial pressure, or very little, is estab-
lished. The contents of the ventricle (syringe) thrown into the
Fig. 32. Tracings taken fkom an artificial scheme with the peripheral
resistance slight.
A, Arterial. V, Venous Manometer. This figure, to save space, is on a smaller
scale than the corresponding Fig. 33.
arterial system distend it, but the passage through the peri-
pheral region is so free that an equal quantity of fluid passes
through to the veins immediately, and hence the mercury at
once falls. But the fluid thus passing easily into the veins
distends these too, and the mercury in their manometer rises
too, but only to fall again, as a corresponding quantity issues
from the ends of the veins into the basin, which serves as an
artificial auricle. Now introduce ' peripheral resistance ' by screw-
ing up the clamps on the connecting tubes, and set the pump to
work again as before. With the first stroke the mercury in the
arterial manometer. Fig. 33, A', rises as before, but instead of
falling rapidly, it falls slowly, because it now takes a longer time
for a quantity of fluid equal to that which has been thrust into
the arterial system by the ventricular stroke to pass through the
narrowed peripheral region. Before the curve has fallen to the
base line, before the arterial system has had time to discharge
through the narrowed peripheral region as much fluid as it
received from the ventricle, a second stroke drives more fluid into
the arteries, distending them this time more than it did before,
and raising the mercury to a still higher level. A third, a fourth,
and succeeding strokes produce the same effect, except that the
additional height to which the mercury is raised at each stroke
becomes at each stroke less and less, until a state of things is
reached in which the mercury, being on the fall when the stroke
takes place, is by the stroke raised just as high as it was before, and
then beginning to fall again, is again raised just as high, and so on.
With each succeeding stroke the arterial system has become more
and more distended ; but the more^ distended it is the greater is
the elastic reaction brought into play. This greater elastic reaction
more and more overcomes the obstacle presented by the peripheral
CiiAP. IV.] THE VASCULAK MECHANISM. 219
resistance, and drives the Huid more and more rapidly through
the peripheral region. At last the arterial system is so distended,
-^X
Fig 33. Tracings taken from an artificial scheme with the peripheral
resistance considerable.
A', Arterial, V, Venous Manometer.
and the force of the elastic reaction so great, that during the stroke
and the succeeding interval just as much fluid passes through the
peripheral region as enters the arteries at the stroke. In other
words, the repeated strokes have established a mean arterial pres-
sure which at the point where the manometer is affixed is raised
slightly at each ventricular stroke, and falls equally between the
strokes.
Turning now to the venous manometer, Fig. 33 V', we ob-
serve that each stroke of the pump produces on this much less
effect than it did before the introduction of the increased peri-
pheral resistance. The mercury, instead of distinctly rising and
falling at each stroke, now shews nothing more than very gentle
undulations ; it feels to a very slight degree only the direct effect
of the ventricular stroke ; it is simply raised slightly above the
base line, and remains fairly steady at this level. The slight rise
marks the mean pressure exerted by the fluid at the place of
attachment of the manometer. This mean ' venous ' pressure is a
continuation of the mean arterial pressure so obvious in the arterial
manometer, but is much less than that because a large part of the
arterial mean pressure has been expended in driving the Huid past
220 ARTIFICIAL MODEL. [Book i.
the peripheral resistance. What remains is, however, sufficient
to drive the fluid along the wide venous tubing right to the
open end.
Thus this artificial model may be made to illustrate how it
comes about that the blood flows in the arteries at a relatively-
high pressure, which at each ventricular systole is raised slightly
above, and at each diastole falls slightly below a certain mean
level, and flows in the veins at a much lower pressure, which does
not shew the immediate effects of each heart beat.
If two manometers, instead of one, were attached to the
arterial system, one near the pump and the other farther off, close
to the peripheral resistance, the pressure shewn by the near
manometer would be found to be greater than that shewn by
the far one. The pressure at the far point is less because some of
the pressure exerted at the near point has been used to drive the
fluid from the near point to the far one. Similarly on the venous
side, a manometer placed closed to the peripheral region would shew
a higher pressure than that shewn by one farther off, because it is
the pressure still remaining in the veins near the capillaries which,
assisted as we shall see by other events, drives the blood onward
to the larger veins. The blood pressure is at its highest at the
root of the aorta, and at its lowest at the mouths of the vense cavse,
and is falling all the way from one point to the other, because all
the way it is being used up to move the blood from one point to
the other. The great drop of pressure is, as we have said, in the
peripheral region, because more work has to be done in driving
the blood through this region than in driving the blood from the
heart to this region, or from this region to the heart.
The manometer on the arterial side of the model shews, as we
have seen, an oscillation of pressure, a pulse due to each heart
beat ; and the same pulse may be felt by placing a finger or rendered
visible by placing a light lever on the arterial tube. It may
further be seen that this pulse is most marked nearest the pump
and becomes fainter as we pass to the periphery ; but we must
reserve the features of the pulse for a special study. On the
venous side of the model no pulse can be detected by the mano-
meter or by the finger, provided that the peripheral resistance be
adequate. If the peripheral resistance be diminished, as by
unscrewing the clamps, then, as necessarily follows from what has
gone before, the pulse passes over on to the venous side ; and,
as we shall have occasion to point out later on, in the living
organism the peripheral resistance in particular areas may be at
times so much lessened that a distinct pulsation appears in the
veins.
If in the model, when the pump is in full swing, and arterial
pressure well established, the arterial tube be pricked or cut, or
the small side tube a be opened, the water will gush out in jets, as
does blood from a cut artery in the living body, whereas if the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 221
venous tube be similarly pricked or cut, or the small tube v be
opened, the water will simply ooze out or well up, as does blood
from a vein in the living body. If the arterial tube be ligatured, it
will swell on the pump side, and shrink on the peripheral side ; if
the venous tube be ligatured, it will swell on the side nearest the
capillaries and shrink on the other side. In short, the dead model
will shew all the main facts of the circulation which we have as
yet described.
§ 121. In the living body, however, there are certain helps to
the circulation which cannot be imitated by such a model without
introducing great and undesirable complications ; but these chiefly
affect the flow along the veins.
The veins are in many places provided with valves so con-
structed as to offer little or no resistance to the flow from the
capillaries to the heart, but effectually to block a return towards
the capillaries. Hence any external pressure brought to bear
upon a vein tends to help the blood to move forward towards the
heart. In the various movements carried out by the skeletal
muscles, such an external pressure is brought to bear on many of
the veins, and hence these movements assist the circulation.
Even passive movements of the limbs have a similar effect.
The flow along the large veins of the abdomen is assisted by
the pressure rhythmically brought to bear on them through the
movements of the diaphragm in breathing, as well as, at times, by
the forcible contractions of the abdominal muscles. Again, the
movements of the alimentary canal, carried out by means of plain,
muscular tissue, promote the flow along the veins coming from
that canal, and when we come to study the spleen we shall see
that the plain, muscular fibres, which are so abundant in that
organ in some animals, serve by rhythmical contractions to
pump the blood regularly away from the spleen along the splenic
veins.
When we come to deal with respiration, we shall see that each
enlargement of the chest constituting an inspiration tends to draw
the blood towards the chest, and each return or retraction of the
chest walls in expiration has an opposite effect, and, if powerful
enough, may drive the blood away from the chest. The arrange-
ment of the valves of the heart causes this action of the respiratory
pump to promote the flow of blood in the direction of the normal
circulation ; and, indeed, were the heart perfectly motionless the
working of this respiratory pump alone would tend to drive the
blood from the ven?e cavte through the heart into the aorta, and so
to keep up the circulation ; the force so exerted, however, would,
without the aid of the heart, be able to overcome a very small
part only of the resistance in the capillaries and small vessels of
the lungs, and so would prove actually ineffectual.
There are, then, several helps to the flow along the veins, but
it must be remembered that however useful, they are helps only
222 THE RATE OF ELOW. [Book i.
and not the real cause of the circulation. The real cause of the
flow is the ventricular stroke, and this is sufficient to drive the
blood from the left ventricle to the right auricle, even when every
muscle of the body is at rest, and breathing is for a while stopped,
— when, therefore, all the helps we are speaking of are wanting.
Circumstances determining the Rate of the Flow.
§ 122. We may now pass on to consider briefly the rate at
which the blood flows through the vessels, and first the rate of
flow in the arteries.
When even a small artery is severed, a considerable quantity
of blood escapes from the proximal cut end in a very short space of
time. That is to say, the blood moves in the arteries from the heart
to the capillaries with a very considerable velocity. By various
methods, this velocity of the blood current has been measured at
different parts of the arterial system ; the results, owing to imper-
fections in the methods employed, cannot be regarded as satis-
factorily exact, but may be accepted as approximately true. They
shew that the velocity of the arterial stream is greatest in the
largest arteries near the heart, and diminishes from the heart
towards the capillaries. Thus in a large artery of a large animal,
such as the carotid of a dog or horse, and probably in the carotid of
a man, the blood flows at the rate of 300 or 500 mm. a second.
In the very small arteries the rate is probably only a few mm. a
second.
Methods. The Hsemadromometer of Volkmann. An artery, e.g. a
carotid, is clamped in two places, and divided between the clamps. Two
cannulae, of a bore as nearly equal as possible to that of the artery, or of
a known bore, are inserted in the two ends. The two cannulas are con-
nected by means of two stopcocks, which work together, with the two
ends of a long glass tube, bent in the shape of a [J, ^"d filled with
normal saline solution, or with a coloured, innocuous fluid. The clamps
on the artery being released, a turn of the stopcocks permits the blood
to enter the proximal end of the long \J tube, along which it courses,
driving the fluid out into the artery througli the distal end. Attached
to the tube is a graduated scale, by means of which the velocity with
•which the blood flows along the tube may be read off.
The Rheometer (Stromuhr) of Ludwig. The principle of this
consists in measuring the time which it takes the flow through an
artery to fill and refill a vessel of known capacity a certain number
of times. The instrument (Fig. 34), which consists of two glass bulbs,
one being of known capacity, is connected, like the foregoing in-
strument, with two cannulse fixed in the two ends of a severed
artery, and is so arranged that the bulb of known capacity can be
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
22^
repeatedly filled and refilled in .succession. From th(3 len<i;tli of time
it takes to fill the bulb a certain number of times the flow through the
artery is calculated.
Fig. 34. Ludwig's Stromuhr and a Diagrammatic kepkesentation of the same.
G and H fit into the cannula; placed respectively into the proximal and distal
cut ends of the artery under examination. L* is a metal disc revolving on a lower
similar disc E. A and B are glass bulbs (which can be filled through C) fixed upon
D ; the capacity of A up to the mark r is known. Holes are bored through D and
E in such a way that in the position shewn in the figure fluid passes from G
through a' and a into J, and so by B, b and h' to H. If the disc D be turned
through two right angles, fluid passes from a' to 6 and so by B, A, and a to b'. If
it be turned through one right angle only the fluid passes directly from G to B
without entering the bulbs at all. ^-l is filled with pure oil up to the mark .r, B
with defibrinated blood. The blood is allowed to flow from G into ^4 until the
whole of the oil is driven into B, the defibrinated blood occupying which is driven
into //. Then, by a rapid turn, the position of A and B is reversed, and tlie oil
driven back into A ; then again by auotlier turn back from A into B, and so on
until clotting stops the observation. The time which it takes the flow through G
to fill ^1 (up to the mark .r) alternately with blood and oil, being thus determined,
the sectional area of G and the capacity of A being known, the velocity of the flow
through G may be calculated.
The Heematachometer of Vierordt is consti'ucted on the ]n-inciple of
measuring the velocity of the current by observing the amount of devia-
tion undergone by a pendulum, the free end of which hangs loosely in
the stream.
An instrument based on the same principle has been invented by
Chauveau and improved by Lortet, Fig. 35. A somewhat wide tube,
the wall of which is at one point composed of an india rubber membrane,
is introduced between the two cut ends of an artery. A long, liglit
lever pierces the india rubber membrane. The short, expanded arm of
224
MEASUKEMENT OF RATE OF FLOW. [Book i.
this lever projecting within the tube (and corresponding to the pendukim
of Vierordt's instrument) is moved on its fulcrum in the india rubber
ring by the current of blood passing through the tube, the greater the
velocity of the current, the larger being the excursion of the lever.
Fig. 35. H^matachometee op Chauveau and Loetet.
The movements of the short arm give rise to corresponding movements
in the opposite direction of the long arm outside the tube, and these,
by means of a marker attached to the end of the long arm, may be
directly inscribed on a recording surface. This instrument is best
adapted for observing changes in the velocity of the flow. For deter-
mining actual velocities it has to be experimentally graduated.
The rapidity of the flow, and especially variations in the rapidity, may
also be studied in a more indirect manner by means of the following
method, called the ' plethysmographic method.'
The principle of the plethy sinograph is that changes in the volume
of a part or of an organ of the body, are measured by the displacement
of fluid in a chamber with rigid walls surrounding the part or organ.
A part of the body, the arm, for instance, is introduced into a cham-
ber with rigid walls, such as a large glass cylinder, which is filled
with fluid, the opening by which the arm is introduced being closed
with an india rubber ring or with plaster of Paris. The cavity of the
chamber is connected, at one spot, with a narrow glass tube, open at
the end, in which the fluid, after the introduction of the arm, stands at
a certain level. Any change in the volume of the arm manifests itself
by a change in the level of the fluid in the tube ; when the arm shrinks
the level falls, when the arm swells, the level rises. And by means of
a piston working in the tube, or by a float bearing a marker and
swimming on the top of the fluid, or by other contrivances, a graphic
record of the changes in the level of the fluid in the tube and so of the
changes in the volume of the arm may be obtained. Such an instru-
ment is called a plethysmograph ; and, as we shall see it may be applied
in various ways to various parts and organs of the body.
CiiAP. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECIiANISM. 225
Now, changes in tho volume of the arm are mainly caused (we may
for the pi'esent neglect other caiises) by changes in the ijuantity of
blood present in that portion of the arm which lies within the cylinder.
Upon examination it is found that besides certain slower changes of
volume Avhich take place from time to time, there are changes of volume
corresponding to each heart beat. At each heart beat the volume first
increases and then decreases again, reaching before the next heart beat
the same measure which it had just preceding the beat ; there is, we
may say, a pulsation of volume like the actual pulse ; and we may, by
the graphic method, obtain a curve of the changes in volume, a " volume
curve." An increase of volume, a rise of the curve, means that the
blood is flowing into the arm, within the cylinder, by the (axillary)
artery at the level of the rim of the cylinder, more swiftly than it is
flowing out by the (axillary) vein or veins at the same level ; a decrease
of volume, a fall of the curve, means that the blood is flowing in less
swiftly than it is flowing out ; and a stationary volume, the curve
neither rising nor falling, means that the blood is flowing in just as fast
as it is flowing out. The steeper the ascent of the volume curve, the
greater is the rapidity of the arterial inflow, and any lessening of the
steepness of the ascent means a diminution of that rapidity ; when
the steepness is lessened so much that the curve runs parallel to the
base line, then, whatever the actual height of the curve, the inflow by
the artery is only just as rapid as the outflow by the vein. Hence, the
dimensions of the parts of the apparatus being known, we may calculate
how many more or how many less cubic cm. of blood are flowing per
second, or per fraction of a second, in by the artery, than are flowing
out by the vein. But, as we have seen, the flow in the veins is constant
so far as each individual heart beat is concerned : it is not directly
influenced by each heart beat. Hence, having obtained by means of
the instrument a curve of the change of volume of the arm, we may
from that calculate out a curve of the changes in rapidity of the flow
in the artery at the level of the mouth of the cylinder. In this
way it is ascertained that with each heart beat the rapidity of the flow
at first rises very quickly, then more slowly, then ceases to rise, after
which it sinks, and, indeed, sinks to such a degree as to shew that
the blood at this moment is flowing less rapidly in the artery than in
the vein, but subsequently rises again to fall once more, just before the
next heart beat, to the same rate as at the beginning of the beat which
is being studied. Moreover, it is possible by help of certain assump-
tions to calculate the amount of the whole flow through the artery
(and through the vein) in a given time, that is to saj^, the actual
rapidity of the flow.
In the capillaries, the rate is slowest of all. In the web of the
frog the flow as judged by the movement of the red corpuscles may
be directly measured under the microscope by means of a micro-
meter, and is found to be about half a millimeter in a second ;
but this is probably a low estimate, since it is only when the
circulation is somewhat slow, slower, perhaps, than what ought to
be considered the normal rate, that the red corpuscles can be
distinctly seen. In the mammal the rate has been estimated
15
226
THE RATE OF ELOW.
[Book i.
at about -75 millimeters a second, but is probably quicker even
than this.
As regards the veins, the flow is very slow in the small veins
emerging from the capillaries but increases as these join into larger
trunks, until in a large vein, such as the jugular of the dog, the
rate is about 200 mm. a second.
§ 123. It will be seen, then, that the velocity of the flow is in
inverse proportion to the width of the bed, to the united sectional
areas of the vessels. It is greatest at the aorta, it diminishes
along the arterial system to the capillaries, to the united bases
of the cones spoken of in § 112, where it is least, and from thence
increases again along the venous system.
And, indeed, it is this width of the bed and this alone which
determines the general velocity of the flow at various parts of the
system. The slowness of the flow in the capillaries is not due to
there being so much more friction in their narrow channels than in
the wider canals of the larger arteries ; for the peripheral resist-
ance caused by the friction in the capillaries and small arteries is
an obstacle not only to the flow of blood through these small
vessels, where the resistance is actually generated, but also to the
escape of the blood from the large into the small arteries, and,
indeed, from the heart into the large arteries. It exerts its
influence along the whole arterial tract. And it is obvious that if
it were this peripheral resistance which checked the flow in the
capillaries, there could be no recovery of velocity along the venous
tract.
The blood is flowing through a closed system of tubes, the
blood vessels, under the influence of one propelling force, the systole
of the ventricle ; for this is the force which drives the blood from
ventricle to auricle, though, as we have seen, its action is modified
in the several parts of the system. In such a system the same
quantity of fluid must pass each section of the system at the same
time, otherwise there would be a block at one place, and a
deficiency at another. If, for instance,
a fluid is made to flow by some one
force, pressure or gravity, through a
tube A (Fig. 36) with an enlargement
B, it is obvious that the same quantity
of fluid must pass through the section
h as passes through the section a in
the same time, — for instance, in a
second. Otherwise, if less passes through h than a, the fluid would
accumulate in B, or if more, B would be emptied. In the same
way just as much must pass in the same time through the section
c as passes through a or I. But if just as many particles of water
have to get through the narrow section a in the same time as
they have to get through the broader section c, they must move
more quickly through a than through c, or more slowly through c
Fig. 36.
€hap. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 227
than through a. For the same reason, water flowing along a river
impelled by one force, viz. that of gravity, rushes rapidly through
a ' narrow,' and flows sluggishly when the river widens out into
a ' broad.' The flow through B will be similarly slackened if B,
instead of being simply a single enlargement of the tube A, consists
of a number of small tubes branching out from A, with a united
•sectional area greater than the sectional area of ^. In each of
such small tubes, at the line c, for instance, the flow will be slower
than at a, where the small tubes branch out from A, or at &, where
they join again to form a single tube. Hence it is that the blood
rushes swiftly through the arteries, flows slowly through the
■capillaries, but quickens its pace again in the veins.
An apparent contradiction to this principle that the rate of
flow is dependent on the width of the bed is seen in the case
where, the fluid having alternative routes, one of the rovites is
■temporarily widened. Suppose that a tube A divides into two
branches of equal length x and y, which unite again to form the
tube V. Suppose, to start with, that x and y are of equal
diameter : then the resistance offered by each being equal, the
flow will be equally rapid through the two, being just so rapid
that as much fluid passes in a given time through x and y together
as passes through A or through V. But now suppose y to be
widened : the widening will diminish the resistance offered by y,
and, in consequence, supposing that no material change takes
place in the pressure or force which is driving the fluid along, more
fluid will now pass along ?/ in a given time than did before , that is
to say, the rapidity of the flow in y will be increased. It will be
increased at the expense of the flow through x, since it will still
hold good that the flow through x and y together is equal to the
flow through A and through V. We shall have occasion later on
to point out that a small artery, or a set of small arteries, may
be more or less suddenly widened, without materially affecting the
general blood pressure which is driving the blood through the
artery or set of arteries. In such cases the flow of blood through
the widened artery or arteries is, for the time, being increased in
rapidity, not only in spite of, but actually in consequence of the
artery being widened.
It must be understood, in fact, that this dependence of the
rapidity of the flow on the width of the bed applies to the general
rate of flow of the whole circulation ; and that while, on account of
the width of the bed, the flow through the capillaries is slower
than through the small arteries and veins, that through the small
arteries slower than through the larger arteries, and that through
the small veins slower than through the larger veins, the actual
rapidity in any individual capillary, small ai'tery or small vein, or
in any individual sets of these, varies largely from time to time,
owing to changes of circumstances, prominent among which are
•changes in the resistance to the flow, — changes which, as we shall
228 TIME OF THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT. [Book i.
see, may be brought about in various ways. Hence, any numerical
statement as to the rate of flow in these vessels must be regarded
as a general statement only.
Moreover, it must be remembered that though we speak of the
flow past a point of a large artery as being of a certain rapidity,
say 300 mm. a second, that rapidity is continually varying. The
cause of the flow through the whole system is the pressure of the
ventricular systole manifested as what we have called blood
pressure. At each point along the system nearer the left ventricle,
and therefore further from the right auricle, the pressure is greater
than at a point further from the left ventricle, and so nearer the
right auricle ; it is this difference of pressure which is the real
cause of the flow from the one point to the other ; and other
things being equal the rapidity of the flow will depend on the
amount of the difference of pressure. But the pressure exerted
by the ventricle is not constant ; it is intermittent, rhythmically
rising and falling. Hence at every point along the arterial system
the flow is increased in rapidity during the temporary increase of
pressure due to the ventricular systole, and diminished during the
subsequent temporary decrease, the increase and decrease being
the more marked the nearer the point to the heart ; this is shewn
in observations made by means of Chauveau and Lortet's instru-
ment or by the plethysmographic method (§ 122).
§ 124. Time of the entire circuit. It is obvious from the fore-
going that a red corpuscle in performing the whole circuit, in
travelling from the left ventricle back to the left ventricle, would
spend a large portion of its time in the capillaries, minute arteries,,
and veins. The entire time taken up in the whole circuit has
been approximately estimated by measuring the time it takes
for an easily recognized chemical substance, after injection into
the jugular vein of one side, to appear in the blood of the jugular
vein of the other side.
While small quantities of blood are being drawn at frequently
repeated intervals from the jugular vein of one side, or while the blood
from the vein is being allowed to fall in a minute stream on an absorb-
ent paper covering some travelling surface, an iron salt such as potas-
sium ferrocyanide (or preferably sodium ferrocyanide as being less
injurious) is injected into the jugular vein of the other side. If the
time of the injection be noted, and the time after the injection into one
side at which evidence of the presence of the iron salt can be detected
in the sample of blood from the vein of the other side be noted, this
gives the time it has taken the salt to perform the circuit ; and on the
supposition that mere diffusion does not materially affect the result, the
time which it takes the blood to perform the same circuit is thereby
given,
A modification of this method, doing away with the necessity of
withdrawing blood, is based on the fact that the electrical conductivity
of the blood may be changed by altering the saline constituents. Two
€haf I v.] the VASCULAE MECHANISM. 229
(non-polarisable) electrodes are placed one on each side of some part of
a blood vessel, artery or vein, say the right jugular or femoral vein
{previously laid bare and insulated), and are connected with a Wheat-
stone bridge and galvanometer, as in the usual way of observing
clianges in electrical resistance. If a solution of salt be now injected
into some other vessel, say the left jugular, the blood laden with the
•extra quantity of salt, when it reaches the seat of the electrodes will
give rise to a change in the electrical resistance through the blood
vessel with its contained blood between the electrodes, and this will be
indicated by a movement of the galvanometer. If the times of the
injection, and of the movement of the galvanometer be noted, the
interval between the two will give the time it takes the blood con-
taining the salt to pass from the seat of injection to the seat of the
electrodes.
In the horse this time has been experimentally determined at
about 30 sees, and in the dog at about 15 sees. In man it
is probably from 20 to 25 sees.
We may arrive at a similar result indirectly by means of a
calculation. Taking the quantity of blood as Jg- of the body
weight, the blood of a man weighing 75 kilos would be about
5,760 grm. If 180 grms. left the ventricle at each beat, a
quantity equivalent to the whole blood would pass through the
heart in 32 beats, i.e. in less than half a minute.
Taking the rate of flow through the capillaries at about 1 mm.
a sec, it would take a corpuscle as long a time to get through
about 20 mm. of capillaries as to perform the whole circuit.
Hence, if any corpuscle had in its circuit to pass through 10 mm.
of capillaries, half the whole time of its journey would be spent in
the narrow channels of the capillaries. Inasmuch as the purposes
served by the blood are chiefly carried out in the capillaries, it is
obviously of advantage that its stay in them should be prolonged.
Since, however, the average length of a capillary is about '5 mm.,
about half a second is spent in the capillaries of the tissues and
another half second in the capillaries of the lungs.
§ 125. We may now briefly summarise the broad features of
the circulation, which we have seen may be explained on purely
physical principles, it being assumed that the ventricle delivers
a certain quantity of blood with a certain force into the aorta
at regular intervals, and that the physical properties of the blood
vessels remain the same.
We have seen that, owing to the peripheral resistance offered
by the capillaries and small vessels, the direct effect of the
ventricular stroke is to establish in the arteries a mean arterial
pressure, which is greatest at the root of the aorta and diminishes
towards the small arteries , some of it being used up to drive the
blood from the aorta to the small arteries, but which retains at
the region of the small arteries sufficient power to drive through the
small arteries, capillaries and veins just as much blood as is being
230 MAIN FEATURES OE CIECULATIOK [Book i..
thrown into the aorta by the ventricular stroke. We have seen
further that in the large arteries at each stroke the pressure
rises and falls a little above and below the mean, thus constituting
the pulse, but that this extra distension with its subsequent recoil
diminishes along the arterial tract and finally vanishes ; it dimin-
ishes and vanishes because it, too, like the whole force of the
ventricular stroke, of a fraction of which it is the expression, is used
up in establishing the mean pressure ; we shall, however, consider
again later on the special features of this pulse. We have seen
further that the task of driving the blood through the peripheral
resistance of the small arteries and capillaries consumes much of
this mean pressure, which consequently is much less in the small
veins than in the corresponding small arteries, but that sufficient
remains to drive the blood, even without the help of the auxiliary
agents which are generally in action, from the small veins right
back to the auricle. Lastly, we have seen that while the above
is the cause of the flow from ventricle to auricle, the changing
rate of the flow, the diminishing swiftness in the arteries, the
sluggish crawl through the capillaries, the increasing quickness
through the veins are determined by the changing width of the
vascular ' bed.'
Before we proceed to consider any further details as to the
phenomena of the flow through the vessels, we must turn aside to
study the heart.
SEC. 3. THE HEART.
§ 126. The heart is a valvular pump which works on me-
chanical principles, but the motive power of which is supplied
by the contraction of its muscular fibres. Its action consequently
presents problems which are partly mechanical, and partly vital.
Regarded as a pump, its effects are determined by the frequency of
the beats, by the force of each beat, by the character of each beat,
— whether, for instance, slow and lingering, or sudden and sharp, —
and by the quantity of fluid ejected at each beat. Hence, with a
given frequency, force, and character of beat, and a given quantity
ejected at each beat, the problems which have to be dealt with are
for the most part mechanical. The vital problems are chiefly con-
nected with the causes which determine the frequency, force, and
character of the beat. The quantity ejected at each beat is
governed not only by the action of the heart itself, but also and
indeed more so by what is going on in the rest of the body.
The Phenomena of the Normal Beat.
The visible 7novements. When the chest of a mammal is
opened, and artificial respiration kept up, the heart may be
watched beating. Owing to the removal of the chest-wall, what
is seen is not absolutely identical with what takes place within
the intact chest, but the main events are the same in both cases.
A complete beat of the whole heart, or cardiac cycle, may be
observed to take place as follows.
The great veins, inferior and superior venne cavaB and pulmonary
veins, are seen, while full of blood, to contract in the neighbourhood
of the heart : the contraction runs in a peristaltic wave towards
the auricles, increasing in intensity as it goes. Arrived at the
auricles, which are then full of blood, the wave suddenly spreads,
at a rate too rapid to be fairly judged by the eye, over the whole
of those organs, which accordingly contract with a sudden sharp
232 THE CAEDIAC CYCLE. [Book i.
systole. In the systole, the walls of the auricles press towards the
auriculo-ventricular orifices, and the auricular appendages are
drawn inwards, becoming smaller and paler. During the auricular
systole, the ventricles may be seen to become turgid. Then
follows, as it were immediately, the ventricular systole, during
which the ventricles become more conical. Held between the
fingers they are felt to become tense and hard. As the systole
progresses, the aorta and pulmonary arteries expand and elongate,
the apex is tilted slightly upwards, and the heart twists somewhat
on its long axis, moving from the left and behind towards the
front and right, so that more of the left ventricle becomes dis-
played. As the systole gives way to the succeeding diastole, the
ventricles resume their previous form and position, the aorta and
pulmonary artery shrink and shorten, the heart turns back
towards the left, and thus the cycle is completed.
In the normal beat, the two ventricles are perfectly synchronous
in action •, they contract at the same time and relax at the same
time, and the two auricles are similarly synchronous in action.
It has been maintained, however, that the synchronism may at
times not be perfect.
Before we attempt to study in detail the several parts of this
complicated series of events, it will be convenient to take a rapid
survey of what is taking place within the heart during such a cycle.
§ 127. The cardiac cycle. We may take as the end of the
cycle the moment at which the ventricles having emptied their
contents have relaxed and returned to the diastolic or resting
position and form. At this moment the blood is flowing freely
with a fair rapidity, but, as we have seen, at a very low pressure,
through the vense cavse into the right auricle (we may confine
ourselves at first to the right side), and since there is now nothing
to keep the tricuspid valve shut, some of this blood probably finds
its way into the ventricle also. This goes on for some little time,
and then comes the sharp, short systole of the auricle, which,
since it begins, as we have seen, as a wave of contraction running
forwards along the ends of the vense cavse, drives the blood not back-
wards into the veins, but forwards into the ventricle ; this result
is further secured by the fact that the systole has behind it on the
venous side the pressure of the blood in the veins, increasing as
we have seen backwards towards the capillaries, and before it the
relatively empty cavity of the ventricle in which the pressure
is at first very low. By the complete contraction of the auricular
walls the complete or nearly complete emptying of the cavity
is ensured. No valves are present in the mouth of the superior
vena cava, for they are not needed ; and the imperfect Eustachian
valve at the mouth of the inferior vena cava cannot be of any
great use in the adult, though in its more developed state in
the foetus it had an important function in directing the blood of
the inferior vena cava through the foramen ovale into the left
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 233
auricle. The valves in the coronary vein are, however, probably
of some use in preventing a reflux into that vessel.
As the blood is being driven by the auricular systole into the
ventricle, a reflex current is probably set up, by which the blood,
passing along the sides of the ventricle, gets between them and
the flaps of the tricuspid valve and so tends to float these up.
It is further probable that the same reflux current, continuing
somewhat later than the flow into the ventricle, is sufficient
to bring the flaps into apposition, without any regurgitation into
the auricle, at the close of the auricular systole, before the ventri-
cular systole has begun.
The auricular systole is, as we have said, immediately followed
by that of the ventricle. Whether the contraction of the ven-
tricular walls (which as we shall see is a simple though prolonged
contraction and not a tetanus) begins at one point, and swiftly
travels over the rest of the fibres, or begins all over the ventricle
at once, is a question not at present definitely settled ; but in any
case the walls . exert on the contents a pressure which is soon
brought to bear on the whole contents and very rapidly rises to a
maximum. The effect of this increasing intra-ventricular pressure
upon the valve is undoubtedly to render the valve more firmly
and securely closed ; but the exact behaviour of the valve in
thus firmly closing is a matter on which observers are not agreed.
From the disposition of the flaps of the valve, and their relations
to the papillary muscles, the chordae tendinese of a papillary
muscle being attached to the edges of and spreading over the
surfaces of two adjacent flaps, we may infer that when the
papillary muscles contract, taking their share in the whole ventri-
cular systole, they on the one hand bring at least the edges, if not
part of the surfaces of adjacent flaps, into opposition, and, on the
■other hand, tend to pull down the whole of the valve, more or less
in the form of a narrow funnel, into the cavity of the ventricle. If
we assume, as some observers do, that the papillary muscles begin
their contraction at the same time as the rest of the ventricular
wall, we may conclude that the valve is in this manner firmly
closed by their action at the very beginning of the systole. Other
observers find that a tracing, obtained by attaching a hook to the
apex of one of the flaps of the valve, and connecting it with a
thread passing through the auriculo-ventricular orifice, and the
auricle to a lever, indicates that the apex of the flap does not
begin to move downwards until some appreciable time after the
beginning of the systole. This they interpret as meaning that the
papillary muscles do not begin to contract until some time after
the ventricular wall has begun its contraction ; (and the tracing
in question similarly indicates that the papillary muscle ceases its
contraction before the ventricular wall does). If we assume this
interpretation of the tracing to be correct, we must conclude that,
at the first, the pressure exerted by the commencing systole would
234 THE CARDIAC CYCLE. [Book i.
tend, while bringing the edges of the flaps together, to bulge the
whole valve upwards towards the auricle, but that, later, when the
papillary muscles contract, these pull the valve in a funnel shape
down into the ventricle with the edges of the flaps in complete
apposition. On the one view, the papillary muscles serve merely to
secure the adequate closure of the valve ; on the other view, they
add to the pressure exerted by the ventricular wall, by pulling
the already closed valve down on the ventricular contents, or,
according to an old opinion, obviate, by their shortening, the
slackening of the chordfe which might result from the shortening
of ventricle during the systole. Whichever view be taken, it may
be worth while to remark that the borders of the valves are
excessively thin, so that when the valve is closed, these thin
portions are pressed flat together back to back ; hence, while the
tougher central parts of the valves bear the force of the ventricular
systole, the opposed thin, membranous edges, pressed together by
the blood, more completely secure the closure of the orifice.
At the commencement of the ventricular systole, the semilunar
valves of the pulmonary artery are closed, and are kept closed by
the high pressure of the blood in the artery. As, however, the
ventricle continues to press with greater and greater force on its
contents, making the ventricle hard and tense to the touch, the
pressure within the ventricle becomes at length greater than that
in the pulmonary artery, and this greater pressure forces open the
semilunar valves, and allows the escape of the contents into the-
artery. The ventricular systole may be seen and felt in the
exposed heart to be of some duration ; it is strong enough and long
enough to empty the ventricle more or less completely, — indeed, in
some cases, it may last longer than the discharge of blood, so that
there is then a brief period during which the ventricle is empty
but yet contracted.
During the ventricular systole the semilunar valves are pressed
outwards towards but not close to the arterial walls, reflux currents-
probably keeping them in an intermediate position, so that their
orifice forms an equilateral triangle with curved sides ; they
offer little obstacle to the escape of blood from the cavity of the
ventricle. The exact mode and time of closure of the semilunar
valves is a matter which has been and, indeed, is still disputed,,
and which we shall have to discuss in some detail later on„
Meanwhile it will be sufficient to say, after the blood has ceased
to flow from the ventricle into the aorta, whether this be due to-
the cessation of the ventricular systole, or to the whole of the
ventricular contents having been already discharged, a reflux of
blood in the aorta towards the ventricle at once completely fills,
and renders tense the pockets, causing their free margins to come
into close and firm contact, and thus entirely blocks the way.
The corpora Arantii meet in the centre, and the thin, membranous-
festoons or lunulse are brought into exact apposition. As in the-
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 235
tricuspid valves, so here, while the pressure of the blood is borne
by the tougher bodies of the several valves, each two thin, adjacent
lunuliB, pressed together by the blood acting on both sides of
them, are kept in complete contact, without any strain being
put upon them ; in this way the orifice is closed in a most efficient
manner.
As the ventricular systole passes off, the muscular walls relax-
ing, the ventricle returns to its previous form and position, and
the cycle is once more ended.
What thus takes place in the right side takes place in the left
side also. There is the same sudden, sharp, auricular systole
beginning at the roots of the pulmonary veins, the same systole of
the ventricle, but, as we shall see, one much more powerful and
exerting much more force ; the mitral valve with its two flaps
acts in the main like the tricuspid valve, and the action of the
semilunar valves of the aorta simply repeats that of the valves of
the pulmonary artery.
We may now proceed to study some of the cardiac events in
detail.
§ 128. Tlie change of form. The exact determination of the
changes in form and position of the heart, especially of the ven-
tricles, during a cardiac cycle is attended with difficulties.
The ventricles, for instance, are continually changing their form;
they change while their cavities are being filled from the auricles,
they change while the contraction of their walls is getting up
the pressure on their contents, they change while under the
influence of that pressure their contents are being discharged into
the arteries, and they change when, their cavities having been
emptied, their muscular walls relax.
With regard to changes in external form, there seems no doubt
that the side-to-side diameter is much lessened during the systole.
There is also evidence that the front-to-back diameter is greater
during the systole than during the diastole, the increase taking
place during the first part of the systole. If a light lever
be placed so as to press very gently on the surface of the heart of
a mammal, the chest having been opened and artificial respiration
being kept up, some such curve as that represented in Fig. 37
may be obtained. The rise of the lever in describing such a curve
is due to the elevation of the part of the front surface of the heart
on which the lever is resting Such an elevation might be caused,
especially if the lever were placed near the apex, by the heart
being " tilted " upwards daring the systole, but only a small
portion at most of the rise can be attributed to this cause ; the
rise is perhaps best seen when the lever is placed in the middle
portion of the ventricle, and must be chiefly due to an increase in
the front-to-back diameter of the ventricle during the beat. We
shall discuss this curve later on in connection with other curves,
and may here simply say that the part of the curve from V to il
236
THE CHANGE OF FORM.
[Book i.
probably corresponds to the actual systole of the ventricle, that is,
to the time during which the fibres of the ventricle are under-
going contraction, the sudden fall from d onwards representing
the relaxation which forms the first part of the diastole. If this
a\ 6\S> c\ c'[ cL\ ,
'Eld. 37. Tracing from Heart of Cat, obtained by placing a light lever
ON THE VENTRICLE, THE CHEST HAVING BEEN OPENED.' ThE TUNING-FORK
CURVE MARKS 50 VIBRATIONS PER SEC.
interpretation of the curve be correct, it is obvious that the
front-to-back diameter is greater during the whole of the systole
than it is during diastole, since the lever is raised up all this time.
It may, however, be argued that the heart thus exposed is subject
to abnormal conditions and is, in diastole, somewhat flattened by
the weight of its contents, that this flattening is increased by even
slight pressure, and that therefore the above conclusion is not
1 The vertical or rather curved lines (segments of circles) introduced into this
and many other curves are of use for the purpose of measuring parts of the curve.
A complete curve should exhibit an 'abscissa' line. This may be drawn by
allowino- the lever, arranged for the experiment but remaining at rest, to mark with
its point on the recording surface set in motion ; a straight line, the abscissa line,
is thus described, and may be drawn before or after the curve itself is made,
and may be placed above or, preferably, below the curve. When a tuning-fork
or other time marker is used, the line of the time marker or a line drawn through
the curves of the tuning-fork will serve as an abscissa line. After a tracing has
been made, the recording surface should be brought back to such a position that
the point of the lever coincides with some point of the curve which it is desired to
mark; if the lever be then gently moved up and down, the point of the lever
will describe a segment of a circle (the centre of which lies at the axis of the
lever), which segment should be made l^ng enough to cut both the curve and
the abscissa line' (the tuning-fork curves or other time-marking line) where this is
drawn. By moving the recording surface backwards and forwards, similar seg-
ments of circles may be drawn through other points of the curve. The lines
a, b, c in Fig 37 were thus drawn. The distance between any two of these points
may thus be measured on the tuning-fork curve or other time curve, or on the abscissa
line. Similar lines mav be drawn on the tracing after its removal from the recording
instrument in the following wav, Take a pair of compasses, the two pomts of which
are fixed just as far apart as the length of the lever used in the experiment, measured
from its axis to its writing point. Bv means of the compasses find the position on
the tracing of the centre of the circle of which any one of the previously drawn
curved lines forms a segment. Through this centre draw a line parallel to the
abscissa. By keeping one point of the compass on this line but moving it along
the line backwards or forwards, a segment of a circle may be drawn so as to cut
anv point of the curve that mav be desired, and also the abscissa hne or the
time line. Such a segment of a circle may be used for the same purposes as
the original one and any number of such segments may be drawn.
Chap. IV.] THE VASCULAE MECHANISM. 237
valid. And, indeed, it is maintained by some that the front-to-
back diameter does actually diminish during systole.
But it is at least clear that the front-to-back diameter, even if
it does not increase, diminishes far less than does the side-to-side
diameter; and hence during the systole there is a change in the
form of the section of the base of the ventricles. During the
diastole this has somewhat the form of an ellipse with the long
axis from side to side, but with the front part of the ellipse much
more convex than the back, since the back surface of the ventricles
is somewhat flattened. During the systole this ellipse is converted
into a figure much more nearly resembling a circle. It is urged,
moreover, that the whole of the base is constricted, and that the
greater efficiency of the auriculo-ventricular valves is thereby
secured.
As to the behaviour of the long diameter from base to apex,
observers are not agreed ; some maintain that it is shortened, and
others that it is practically unchanged. And, in any case, a change
in this diameter plays little or no part in the expulsion of the
contents of the ventricle ; this expulsion is effected by the contrac-
tion of the more transversely disposed fibres, whereby the cavity is
reduced to an elongated slit. Moreover, if any shortening does take
place it must be compensated by the elongation of the great vessels,
which, as stated above, may be seen in an inspection of the beating
heart. For there is evidence that the apex, though, as we have
seen, it is somewhat twisted round during the systole, and at the
same time brought closer to the chest-wall, does not change its
position up or down, i.e. in the long axis of the body. If in a
rabbit or dog a needle be thrust through the chest-wall so that its
point plunges into the apex of the heart, though the needle
quivers, its head moves neither up nor down, as it would do if its
point in the apex moved down or up.
During systole, broadly speaking, the ventricles undergo a
diminution of total volume, equal to the volume of contents
discharged into the great vessels (for the walls themselves like all
muscular structures retain their volume during contraction save
for changes which may take place in the quantity of blood
contained in their blood vessels, or of lymph in the intermuscular
spaces), while they undergo a change of form which may be
described as that from a roughly hemispherical figure with an
irregularly elliptical section to a more regular cone with a more
nearly circular base.
§ 129. Cardiac Impulse. If the hand be placed on the chest,
a shock or impulse will be felt at each beat, and on examination
this impulse, ' cardiac impulse,' will be found to be synchronous
with the systole of the ventricle. In man, the cardiac impulse may
be most distinctly felt in tlie fifth costal interspace, about an inch
below and a little to the median side of the left nipple. In an
animal the same impulse may also be felt in another way, viz.
238 THE CAEDIAC IMPULSE. [Book i.
by making an incision through the diaphragm from the abdo-
men, and placing the finger between the chest-wall and the
apex. It then can be distinctly recognized as the result of the
hardening of the ventricle during the systole. And the impulse
which is felt on the outside of the chest is chiefly the effect of
the same hardening of the stationary portion of the ventricle
in contact with the chest-wall, transmitted through the chest-
wall to the finger. In its flaccid state, during diastole, the
apex is (in a standing position at least) at this point in contact
with the chest-wall, lying, somewhat flattened, between it and the
tolerably resistant diaphragm. During the systole, while being
brought even closer to the chest-wall, by the tilting of the ventricle
and by the movement to the front and to the right of which we
have already spoken, it suddenly grows tense and hard, and becomes
rounder. The ventricles, in executing their systole, have to contract
against resistance. They have to produce within their cavities,
pressures greater than those in the aorta and pulmonary arteries,
respectively. This is, in fact, the object of the systole. Hence,
during the swift systole, the ventricular portion of the heart
becomes suddenly tense, somewhat in the same way as a bladder
full of fluid would become tense and hard when forcibly squeezed.
The sudden pressure exerted by the ventricle thus rendered sud-
denly tense and hard, aided by the closer contact of the apex with
the chest-wall (which, however, by itself, without the hardening of
contraction, would be insufficient to produce the effect), gives an
impulse or shock both to the chest-wall and to the diaphragm. If
the modification of the sphygmograph (an instrument of which we
shall speak later on, in dealing with the pulse), called the cardio-
graph, be placed on the spot where the impulse is felt most
strongly, the lever is seen to be raised during the systole of the
ventricles, and to fall again as the systole passes away, very much
as if it were placed on the heart directly. A tracing may thus be
obtained, see Fig. 47, of which we shall have to speak more fully
later on, see § 133. If the button of the lever be placed,
not on the exact spot of the impulse, but at a little distance
from it, the lever will be depressed during the systole. While
at the spot of impulse itself the contact of the ventricle is
increased during systole, away from the spot the ventricle (owing
to its change of form and subsequently to its diminution in
volume) retires from the chest-wall, and hence, by the mediastinal
attachments of the pericardium, draws the chest-wall after it.
§ 130. The, Sounds of the Heart. When the ear is applied to
the chest, either directly or by means of a stethoscope, two sounds
are heard, — the first a comparatively long, dull, booming sound,
the second a short, sharp, sudden one. Between the first and
second sounds the interval of time is very short, too short to be
easily measured, but between the second and the succeeding first
sound there is a distinct pause. The sounds have been likened
Chap, ivj THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 239
to the pronunciation of the syllables lubb diip, so that the cardiac
cycle, as far as the sounds are concerned, might be represented
by : ■ — lubb, dup, pause.
The second sound, which is short and sharp, presents no diffi-
culties. It is coincident in point of time with the closure of the
semilunar valves, and is heard to the best advantage over the
second right costal cartilage, close to its junction with the sternum,
i. e. at the point where the aortic arch comes nearest to the surface,
and to which sounds generated at the aortic orifice would be best
conducted. Its characters are such as would belong to a sound
generated by membranes like the semilunar valves being suddenly
made tense, and so thrown into vibrations. It is obscured and
altered, or replaced by ' a murmur,' when the semilunar valves
are affected by disease, and may be artificially obliterated, a
murmur taking its place, by passing a wire down the arteries, and
hooking up the aortic valves. There can be no doubt, in fact,
that the second sound is due to the semilunar valves being thrown
into vibrations at their sudden closure. The sound heard at the
second right costal cartilage is chiefly that generated by the aortic
valves, and murmurs or other alterations in the sound caused by
changes in the aortic valves are heard most clearly at this spot.
Eut even here the sound is not exclusively of aortic origin, for
in certain cases, in which the semilunar valves on the two sides
of the heart are not wholly synchronous in action, the sound
heard here is double (" reduplicated second sound " ), one being
due to the aorta, and one to the pulmonary artery. When the
sound is listened to on the left side of the sternum at the same
level, the pulmonary artery is supposed to have the chief share in
producing what is heard, and changes in the sound heard more
clearly here than on the right side are taken as indications of
mischief in the pulmonary valves.
The first sound, longer, duller, and of a more ' booming '
character than the second, heard with greatest distinctness at the
spot where the cardiac impulse is felt, presents many difficulties
in the way of a complete explanation. It is heard distinctly when
the chest-walls are removed. The cardiac impulse, therefore, can
have little or nothing to do with it. In point of time, it is
coincident with the systole of the ventricles, and may be heard to
the greatest advantage at the spot of the cardiac impulse ; that is
to say, at the place where the ventricles come nearest to the
surface, and to which sounds generated in the ventricles would be
best conducted.
It is more closely coincident with the closure and consequent
vibrations of the auriculo-ventricular valves than with the entire
systole; for on the one hand it dies away before the second
sound begins, whereas, as we shall see, the actual systole lasts
at least up to the closure of the semilunar valves, and on
the other hand the auriculo-ventricular valves cease to be tense
240 THE SOUNDS OF THE HEART. [Book i.
and to vibrate so soon as the contents of the ventricle are driven
out. This suggests that the sound is caused by the sudden
tension of the auriculo-ventricular valves, and this view is sup-
ported by the facts that the sound is obscured, altered or
replaced by murmurs when the tricuspid or mitral valves are
diseased, and that the sound is also altered or, according to
some observers, wholly done away with when blood is prevented
from entering the ventricles by ligature of the vense cavse. On
the other hand, the sound has not that sharp character which
one would expect in a sound generated by the vibration of
membranes such as the valves in question, but in its booming
qualities rather suggests a muscular sound. Further, according
to some observers, the sound, though somewhat modified, may
still be heard when the large veins are clamped so that no blood
enters the ventricle, and, indeed, may be recognized in the few
beats given by a mammalian ventricle rapidly cut out of the
living body by an incision carried below the auriculo-ventricular
ring. Hence the view has been adopted that this first sound
is a muscular sound. In discussing the muscular sound of skeletal
muscle (see § 80), we saw reasons to distrust the view that this
sound is generated by the repeated, individual, simple contrac-
tions which make up the tetanus, and hence corresponds in tone
to the number of those simple contractions repeated in a second,
and to adopt the view that the sound is really due to a repetition
of unequal tensions occurring in a muscle during the contraction.
Now, the ventricular systole is undoubtedly a simple contraction, a
prolonged simple contraction, not a tetanus, and, therefore, under
the old view of the nature of a muscular sound, could not produce
such a sound ,- but accepting the other view, and reflecting how
complex must be the course of the systolic wave of contraction
over the twisted fibres of the ventricle, we shall not find great
difficulty in supposing that that wave is capable in its progress of
producing such repetitions of unequal tensions as might give rise
to a ' muscular sound,' and, consequently, in regarding the first
sound as mainly so caused. Accepting such a view of the origin of
the sound we should expect to find the tension of the muscular
fibres, and so the nature of sound, dependent on the quantity of
fluid present in the ventricular cavities and hence modified by liga-
ture of the great veins, and still more by the total removal of the
auricles with the auriculo-ventricular valves. We may add that
we should expect to find it modified by the escape of blood from
the ventricles into the arteries during the systole itself, and might
regard this as explaining why it dies away before the ventricle has
ceased to contract.
Moreover, seeing that the auriculo-ventricular valves must be
thrown into sudden tension at the onset of the ventricular systole,
which, as we have seen, is developed with considerable rapidity,
not far removed at all events from the rapidity with which the
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM, 241
semilunar valves are closed, a rapidity, therefore, capable of giving
rise to vibrations of the valves adequate to produce a sound, it is
difficult to escape the conclusion that the closure of these valves
must also generate a sound, which in a normally beating heart is
mingled with the sound of muscular origin.
If we accept this view that the sound is of double origin,
partly ' muscular,' partly ' valvular,' both causes being dependent
on the tension of the ventricular cavities, we can perhaps more
easily understand how it is that the normal first sound is at times
so largely, indeed, we may say so completely altered and obscured
in diseases of the auriculo-ventricular valves, and how it may also
be modified in character by changes, such as hypertrophy, of the
muscular walls.
Since the left ventricle forms the entire left apex of the
heart, the murmurs or other changes of the first sound heard most
distinctly at the spot of cardiac impulse belong to the mitral valve
of the left ventricle. Murmurs generated in the tricuspid valve
of the right ventricle are heard more distinctly in the median line
below the end of the sternum.
§ 131. Endo cardiac Pressure. Since it is the pressure exerted
upon the contents of the ventricle by the contraction of the
ventricular walls which drives the blood from the heart into the
aorta, and so maintains the circulation, the study of this pressure,
endocardiac pressure, is of great importance. The mercurial
manometer, so useful in a general way in the study of arterial
pressure, is unsuited for the study of endocardiac pressure, since
the great inertia of the mercury prevents the instrument respond-
ing properly to the exceedingly rapid changes of pressure which
take place in the heart. We are obliged to have recourse to other
instruments.
One method, having been used by Chauveau and Marey in
researches which have become ' classic,' deserves to be noticed,
though it is not now employed. It consists in introducing, in a
large animal, such as a horse, through a blood vessel into a cavity
of the heart, a tube ending in an elastic bag. Fig. 38 A, both tube
and bag being filled with air, and the tube being connected with
a recording ' tambour.'
A tube of appropriate curvature, A. b. Fig. 38, is furnished at its
end with an elastic bag or ' ampulla ' a. When it is desired to explore
simultaneously both auricle and ventricle, the sound is furnished with
two ampullffi, with two small, elastic bags, one at the extreme end and
the other at such a distance that when the former is within the cavity
of the ventricle the latter is within the cavity of the auricle. Such an
instrument is spoken of as a ' cardiac sound.' Each ' ampulla ' com-
municates by a separate, air-tight tube with an air-tight tambour
(Fig. 38 B) on which a lever rests, so that any pressure on the ampulla
is communicated to the cavity of its respective tambour, the lever of
16
242
ENDOCAEDIAC PRESSUEE.
[Book i.
which is raised in proportion When two ampullce are used, the
writing points of both levers are brought to bear on the same re-
cording surface exactly underneath each other. The tube is carefully
introduced through the right jugular vein into the right side of the
heart until the lower (ventricular) ampulla is fairly in the cavity of
the right ventricle, and, consequently, the upper (auricular) ampulla
in the cavity of the right auricle. Changes of pressure on either
ampulla, then, cause movements of the corresponding lever. When the
pressure, for instance, on the ampulla in the auricle is increased, the
auricular lever is raised and describes on the recording surface an
Fig. 38, Marey's Tambouk, with Cardiac Sound.
A. A simple cardiac sound such as may be used for exploration of the left
ventricle. The portion a of the ampulla at the end is of thin india rubber, stretched
over an open framework with metallic supports above and below. The long tube 6
serves to introduce it into the cavity which it is desired to explore.
B. The Tambour. The metal chamber m is covered in an air-tight manner
with the india rubber c, bearing a thin, metal plate m', to which is attached the lever /,
moving on the hinge h. The whole tambour can be placed by means of the clamp
cl Sit any height on the upright s'. The india rubber tube t serves to connect the
interior of the tambour either with the cavity of the ampulla of A or with any other
cavity. Supposing that the tube t were connected with b, any pressure exerted on
a would cause the roof of the tambour to rise and the point of the lever would be
proportionately raised.
ascending curve ; when the pressure is taken off, the curve descends,
— and so also with the ventricle.
The ' sound ' may in a similar manner be introduced through the
carotid artery into the left ventricle, being slipped past the aortic
valves, and thus the changes taking place in that chamber also may be
explored.
CiiAr. J V.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
243
When this instrument is applied to the right auricle and
ventricle some such record is obtained as that shewn in Fig. 39,
where the upper curve is a tracing taken from the right auricle,
and the lower curve from the rioht ventricle of the horse,
both curves being taken simultaneously on the same recording
surface. In these curves the rise of the lever indicates pressure
exerted upon the corresponding ampulla, and the upper curve,
from the right auricle, shews the sudden, brief pressure b exerted
by the sudden and brief auricular systole. The lower curve, from
the right ventricle, shews that the pressure exerted by the ventric-
ular systole begins almost immediately after the auricular systole,
increases very rapidly indeed, so that the lever rises in almost a
straight line up to c', is continued for
some considerable time, and then falls
very rapidly to reach the base line.
The figure, it must be understood, does
not, by itself, 'give any information as
to the relative amounts of pressure
■exerted by the auricle and ventricle
respectively ; indeed, the movements of
the auricular lever are much too great
compared with those of the ventricular
lever. The figure is chiefly useful for
giving a graphic general view of the
series of events within the cardiac cavi-
ties during a cardiac cycle, the short
auricular pressure, the long-continued
ventricular pressure, lasting nearly half
the whole period, and the subsequent
pause when both parts are at rest or in
■diastole.
Among the more trustworthy methods of recording the
changes of endocardiac pressure, we may first mention that of
Roy and Rolleston.
Fig. 39. Simultaneous tracings
FROM THE Right Auricle, and
Ventricle, of the Horse.
(After Chauveau and Marey.)
By means of a short cannula introduced through a large vessel^ or
•directly, as a trocar, through the walls of the ventricle (or auricle), the
blood in the cavity is brought to bear on an easily moving piston.
The movements of the piston are recorded by a lever, and the evils
of inertia are met by making the piston and lever work against the
torsion of a steel ribbon, the length of which, and consequently the
resistance offered by which, and hence the excursions of the piston,
can be varied at pleasure.
We give as examples of curves obtained by this method
two curves from the left ventricle, one (Fig. 40 A) of a
rapidly beating, and the other (Fig. 40 B) of a slowly beating
heart.
244
ENDOCARDIAC PRESSUEE.
[Book i.
Fig. 40. CuKVES of Endocaediac Pressure. From Left Ventricle of Dog.
(Roy and RoUeston.)
A. a quickly beating, B. a more slowly beating heart.
An instrument which has been much used of late, and the use
of which has given very valuable results is the " membrane-mano-
meter" of Hlirthle.
Fig. 41. The Membrane-manometer of Hurthle.^
1 For this figure I am indebted to Mr. Albrecht, the University Instrument-
maker at Tubingen.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 245
This consists essentially of a very small metal drum or tambour
(Fig. 42 a) somewhat like that of Marey, but
hemispherical and not more than 15 mm. in
diameter. In Fig. 41 the instrument, with its
holder, is seen from above. The second lever,
which is motionless, is for the purpose of de-
scribing the base line. The screw-tap on the
tube leading, in the figure, up to the tambour,
is for the purpose of diminishing the calibre
of the tube, and so of " damping " the instru-
ment. On the right of the tambour in the
figure are seen the arrangements for adjusting
the levers. In Fig. 42 the tube b by which
the catheter is connected with the tambour,
is, for convenience of illustration, shewn as Fig. 42. Diagram to il-
directed parallel to the lever, instead of, as i^^strate the essen-
, • S. 4. -i. 1^ X • u^- 1 i -J- tial parts of Hur-
m the instrument itself, at right angles to it. xhle's membrane ma-
The roof of the tambour is supplied by a care- nometer.
fully chosen, delicate, elastic membrane e, which
bears at its centre a thin metal disc d, connected by a short upright
e with a lever l. Below, the tambour ends in a tube b.
A catheter, open at the end or with a lateral ' eye,' and filled with a
solution of magnesium sulphate or with some fluid tending to check
the clotting of blood, is introduced into the cavity of the heart which
it is desired to explore. It may be introduced by the jugular vein into
the right auricle, and past the auricle into the right venti'icle, or through
the carotid artery into the aorta, and so, between the semilunar valves,
or through one of the flaps (the perforation seems to introduce no error)
into the cavity of the left ventricle ; or the end of the catheter may be
left in the aorta above the semilunar valves when it is desired to
investigate the pressure at the root of the aorta. The cavity of the
tambour also is filled, not witli air, as in Marey's tambour, but with the
same fluid as is the catheter, or with water; and the tube of the tambour
is connected witli the catheter.
Variations of pressure within the cavity of the heart are transmitted
through the fluid of the catheter to the fluid in the tambour, and thus put
into movement the elastic roof of the tambour ; the movements of the
elastic roof are, in turn, transmitted to the lever, which records, in the
usual manner, on some recording surface. For measuring the amount
of the changes of pressure, the instrument must be graduated experi-
mentally. There are many details in the instrument which need not be
described liere ; but we may state that the instrument may be ' damped,'
rendered less sensitive, and thus the features of the curves due to
inertia lessened, by narrowing, through a screw-tap, the communication
between the catheter and the cavity of the tambour.
Tlie membrane of the tambour may, by means of an ivory button,
be brouglit to bear on one end of a slip of steel, placed horizontally
and fastened at the other end, so as to act as a spring. The instrument
then becomes a " spring-manometer." The small movements of the
spring caused by the movements of the membrane of the tambour are
magnified by a recording lever.
246 ENDOCARDIAC PRESSURE. [Book i.
Fig. 43 gives a curve of endocardiac pressure of the left
ventricle of the dog obtained by this
method. The recording surface is
travelling quickly, and the movements,
of the lever are not great.
The manometer of Gad differs
Fig. 43. Curve of Pressure from that of Hiirthle in the membrane
IN THE Left Ventricle of being replaced by a thin, elastic disc
THE Dog, Hurthle's Mem- c metal
BRANE-MANOMETER. ■ . n Ti
in the instrument oi Irey and
Krehl, which is a modification of one by Tick, the transmission
is effected partly by fluid and partly by an air tambour, the
button of which presses against a horizontal steel spring.
A catheter, filled with fluid to prevent clotting and introduced into-
a cavity of the heart, is connected with a glass cylinder, maintained
carefully in a vertical position, the lower half of which is tilled with
the same fluid as is the catheter. The upper half of the cylinder, con-
taining air only, is connected by a very narrow, in fact a capillary tube,
with a small tambour. The changes of pressure within tl)e heart are
transmitted through the fluid of the catheter to the air in the cylinder,
and so to the air in the tambour, the membrane of which moves
accordingly in aud out. A button on the membrane presses on % hori-
zontal steel spring, and the small movements of the membrane thus
transmitted to the spring are recorded by means of a magnifying
lever.
Other instruments have been employed by other observers.
When we examine the curves which we have given (Figs. 39,
40, 43), obtained by three several methods, we find that they agree
in the following main features. The curve of pressure in the
ventricle, whether right or left, rises at the very beginning of the
systole with very great rapidity, very soon reaches its maximum or
nearly its maximum, maintains nearly the same height for some
time, and then very rapidly descends to the base line (which in
these figures indicates the pressure of the atmosphere) or even
falls, for a brief space, slightly below it, and remains at or near the
base line, until, at the next beat, it repeats the same changes.
This means that the contraction of the ventricular walls in the
systole acts in such a manner as very suddenly to raise up to a
certain height the pressure within the ventricle, which during the
diastole was at, or not far removed from that of the atmosphere,
that the pressure is maintained without any very great change for
a considerable time, and that it then falls back to its original level
with great suddenness, almost, if not quite, as suddenly as it was.
raised. These are the important features of the pressure within
the ventricle ; in these features all the three curves agree. We
may add that the same features are shewn also in curves of pres-
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 247
sure taken by other methods ; and, indeed, as shewn in Fig. 37 and
in others which we shall give, corresponding features occur in
curves of other changes in the heart. All these curves shew a
flattening maintained, with smaller variations, during the con-
tinuance of the systole ; this is so characteristic that it has been
called the ' systolic plateau.' It is true that curves of ventri-
cular pressure taken by certain methods, that of Frey and Krehl's
for instance, do not shew this ' plateau,' the curve in such cases
rising gradually to a maximum and immediately beginning to fall,
so that the summit is a simple peak. And it is argued that such
a curve is the true curve of ventricular pressure always obtained
so long as the blood in the ventricle has free access to the interior
of the catheter, and that the plateau is only seen when the end of
the catheter is too near the apex, and its opening closed, at the
height of the systole, by the ventricular walls coming together ; the
top of the true curve is thus, as it were, cut off. But the evidence
is, on the whole, opposed to this view, and we shall accept the
plateau as being a true representation.
Though the curves given above agree in these main features,
they differ in many minor features, and other features also of minor
value appear in curves of endocardiac pressure according to the
various circumstances in* which the heart finds itself. Some of
these minor features we shall presently find useful in discussing
the mechanism of the beat.
§ 132. The output. Since the use of the pressure exerted by
the ventricle is to drive a quantity of blood out of the ventricle
into the aorta (or pulmonary artery) it is important to study the
'output' or quantity of blood so driven out; and since, under
normal circumstances, the quantity ejected by the right ventricle
is the same as that ejected by the left ventricle, we may confine
our attention to the latter.
The normal or average output has been calculated in various
ways, by help of certain assumptions ; but these we may put on
one side since the matter has now been made the subject of direct
experimental determination.
Methods. Method of Stolnikow. This consists in allowing the
blood to flow from the carotid into a vessel until a certain measured
quantity has escaped, and then returning this blood to tlie right
auricle while the blood from the carotid is flowing into a second
similar vessel to be similarly returned, and in repeating this manoeuvre
a certain number of times. One canjtid is tied (the animal being a
dog), and the arch of the aorta plugged beyond (Fig. 44 ^;). The
circulation is thus confined to the lungs and the coronary system.
Into the other carotid is tied a tube connected by a forked branching
la and 2« with two vessels I. and II., which also communicate by a
similar forked branching Iv and 1v with tlie right auricle. The blood
is allowed to flow through la into I. until a certain quantity has
escaped. Then la is closed, while 2a and \v are opened. The blood
248
THE OUTPUT OF THE HEART.
[Book i.
from I. flows back by Iw to the right auricle, while the blood from the
carotid flows into H. by 2ffl. When a certain quantity has escaped
into n., the action is reversed, and I, is once more filled ; and so on.
Fig. 44. Diagram of Stolnikow's Appaeatus.
In this way the quantity of blood which the heart delivers, its ' output '
during a given time can be measured ; the quantity discharged at a
single beat can similarly be determined. By means of recording floats
in I. and II., a graphic record of the output may also be obtained.
The other methods are plethysmographic (§ 122) in nature. The
volume of the heart changes only with the volume of its contents,
for we may neglect, in the first instance at least, as insignificant the
changes of volume due to changes in the amount of blood held by the
coronary system, and we may wholly neglect the changes of volume due
to changes in the quantity of lymph present in the cardiac tissues.
An increase in the volume of the heart means that more blood is flowing
into it than is leaving it, a decrease that more is leaving it than is
flowing into it. Hence, if we measure the diminution of volume which
takes place during the systole, this gives us the volume of blood dis-
charged by the two ventricles during that systole, the effect of changes
in the auricles being neglected ; and since the two ventricles discharge
equal quantities, half this will give us the quantity of blood discharged
by the left ventricle during the systole.
In the method of Tigerstedt and others the pericardial cavity is
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
249
employed as the pletliysmographic chamber, the changes of volume in
it being transmitted by air to the recording apparatus. A cannula is
introduced into the pericardium, a little air entering at the same time,
and is connected by an air tube with a delicate piston, the movements
of which are recorded in the usual way.
■}.. .r
Fig. 45. Cardiometer of Roy and Adami.
In the method of Roy and Adami the heart is placed in a ri^id
metal box, Fig. 45 b, the cavity of which, fiUed with warmed oil,^ is
connected with a light piston c and so with a recording lever. The
pericardium being laid open, the two halves of the box are placed
round the ^ heart, are securely fixed by means of an India rubber ring a,
to the parietal pericardium round the roots of the great vessels, and'are
brought together. The cavity is then filled with oil, and the piston,
also filled with oil, is brought into connection with the box, the lever
250
THE OUTPUT OF THE HEART.
[Book i.
and rod of the piston being placed by means of the india rubber spring d^
in such a position that the pressure within the box is some few mm, Hg
below that of the atmosphere.
By these methods it has been determined that the diminntion
of the volume of the heart at a systole, the " contraction volume "
as it has inconveniently been called, that is to say, the quantity
of blood discharged at a systole, the output of a systole, or the
" pulse-volume " as we may call it, for it is this which causes the
pulse, varies very much under various circumstances. We shall
have to discuss later on some of the influences bearing on its
amount. Meanwhile we merely call attention to the fact that it does
vary largely, and that any numerical statement as to a normal
pulse-volume has relatively little value.
Another fact of considerable importance brought to light by
these methods is that under certain circumstances, at all events, the
output by the left ventricle during a number of beats may be less
than the intake through the right auricle. This means that under
these circumstances the ventricle does not at the systole discharge
the whole of its contents ; some of the blood remains behind in
the cavity of the ventricle at the close of the systole. Hence the
assumption that the ventricle, in its systole, always discharges
the whole of its contents, so as to be quite empty at the onset of
diastole, is not true ; the ventricle may completely empty itself
but it by no means always does so.
The Mechanism of the Beat.
§ 133. We may now attempt to consider in rather more
detail what we may call the mechanism of the beat, that is to say^
the exact manner in which the heart receives and ejects the blood.
For this purpose we shall need certain data in addition to those
on which we have already dwelt.
In addition to the curve obtained by placing a light lever on
the exposed heart (Fig. 46), a method which though useful is open
Fig. 46. (Eepeated from Fig. 37.)
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAK MECHANISM.
251
to objection, we may obtain what is very nearly the same thing,
viz. a cardiograph ic tracing (Fig. 47) or cardiogram, that is to say,
a tracing of the cardiac impulse, a curve of the changes in the
pressure exerted by the apex of the heart on the chest-wall.
Various forms of canUograph have been used to record the cardiac
impulse. In some the pressure of the impulse is transruitted directly
to a lever which writes upon a travelling surface. In others the
hiipulse is, by means of an ivory button, brought to bear on an air-
chamber, connected by a tube with a tambour like that in Fig. 38 ; the
pressure of the cardiac impulse compresses the air in the air-chamber,
and through this the air in tlie chamber of the tambour, whereupon the
lever is raised. In others tlie impulse, being received by a small^
elastic bag filled with fluid and introduced through an opening made
in the chest-wall, the pleura being left intact, is transmitted through
fluid along a tube to a membrane-manometer. Or, to avoid opening
tlie chest-wall, the tube may be made to begin in a small, .trumpet-
shaped opening or " receiver " covered with an elastic membrane, bearing
a central button of cork or other material ; the button being lightly
pressed on the spot where the impulse is felt, the impulse is transmitted
along the fluid of the tube from the elastic menibrane of the receiver
to that of the manometer.
In Fig. 47 we give two such cardiograms obtained by different
methods, in Fig. 55 a more diagrammatic curve.
Fig. 47. Cardiograms.
The left-hand figure is from Roy and Adarai.
Since it is the contraction of the ventricular filires which is the
actual propelling force, an exact record of this contraction, after
the manner of a muscle-curve, would serve, could it be obtained,
as the basis of discussion. Owing to the intricate arrangement of
the cardiac muscular fibres, such a simple record cannot be
obtained ; the nearest approach to it is the record of the changes
in the distance between two points on the surface of the heart
brought about durinsr a beat.
252 THE MECHANISM OF THE BEAT. [Book i.
In the instrument of Roy and Adami, by an ingenious arrangement
into the details of which we need not go, a delicate rod placed horizon-
tally in connection with two points of the surface of the heart, of the
ventricles, for instance, as it glides to and fro, according as the two
points approach or recede from each other, records its movements by
means of a light lever.
We give in Fig. 48 such a myocardiographic tracing, as it
is called ; the rise of the lever indicates an
approach, the fall a receding of two points
taken transversely across the ventricle of a
dog.
What conclusions can we draw from the
features of the various curves which we have
given ? We have reproduced in some cases
more than one curve representing the same
event, for the important reason that certain
Fig. 48. Mtocakdio- of the features of almost every curve are
Eot'^AND'ADAm.^''''' d^e, to some extent at least, to the instru-
ment itself, and must not be taken as exact
records of what is actually taking place in the heart ; the inertia
of one or other part of this or that instrument used plays a more
or less important part in determining the form of the curve. It
will therefore be readily understood that the interpretation of
various heart curves is attended with great difficulties, and has
led to much discussion. We must content ourselves here with
confining our attention to the more important points, leaving many
details, however interesting, on one side.
Let us begin with the beginning of the ventricular systole.
All the curves, curve of endocardiac pressure, cardiogram, myocar-
diogram, and others, shew the important fact that the systole begins
suddenly and increases swiftly until it reaches the beginning of
what we have called the " systolic plateau," c in Figs. 39, 40, 46,
3 in Fig. 47, d in Fig. 48.
In some curves, as in Figs. 39, 40 B, 43, the rise is unbroken ;
in others, as in Figs. 40 A, 46, the rise is marked with a shoulder.
In 'Fig. 48, this shoulder h has been interpreted, by those who
maintain that papillary muscles begin their contraction later than
the main ventricular wall, as indicating that event. We will not
discuss the question here.
In some of the pressure curves,as in Fig. 39, the rise of pressure
in the ventricle due to the actual systole is preceded by a slight
temporary rise. This has been interpreted as indicating a slight
rise of pressure in the ventricle due to the auricular systole just
preceding the ventricular systole ; but this interpretation has been
debated, and indeed the slight rise in question is not always seen.
Similarly, some curves shew a gradual but very slight increase of
pressure in the ventricle during the preceding diastole ; this has
been interpreted as indicating a rise of pressure due to the gradual
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAIi MECHANISM.
253
inflow of blood from the auricle and veins , but it, too, is not
always present. Both the steady-
though slight rise of the lever
throughout the diastole, with a
sudden increase at the end, coin-
cident with the aviricular systole,
are often seen in cardiograms ; see
the diagrammatic curve in Fig. 55.
The ventricle as a whole enlarges
under the venous inflow, and is more
suddenly enlarged by the auricular
systole.
The feature on which we wish to
insist is the rapid rise of the intra-
ventricular pressure, and the sudden
change at the commencement of the
systolic plateau. What does this
sudden change mean ? To answer
this question we must ascertain what
is taking place at the same time in
the aorta,
§ 134. If two catheters be in-
troduced at the same time into the
left side of the heart of a dog, being
so arranged that while the end of
one catheter lies in the left ventricle,
Fig. 49, V, that of the other lies in
the aorta A*^ above the semilunar
valves, and if each catheter be con-
nected with a membrane-manometer,
the two manometers recording on
the same surface, one below the
other, we obtain some such result
as that shewn in Fig. 50.
An examination of the two curves thus obtained shews us the
following. At 0, the beginning of the ventricular systole, or rather
the time when the contraction of the ventricular fibres is beginning
to raise the pressure within the ventricle, no effect is being produced
in the aorta ; the blood in the aorta is completely sheltered by
the closed aortic valves. A little later, however, at 1, the pressure
in the aorta begins to rise. This means that the semilunar valves
are now opened, so that the force of the ventricular systole can
make itself felt in the aorta. Up to 1, the pressure in the
ventricle, though increasing, is still less than that remaining in the
aorta after the last beat, but at 1 the pressure in the ventricle
becomes equal to or rather slightly greater than that in the aorta,
and the valves are thrown open.
This is also shewn by comparing, as may be done by means
Fig. 49. Diageam illustrating
the method of recording si-
MULTANEOUSLY THE Pressure in
THE Left Ventricle and at the
ROOT OF THE AORTA. HiJRTHLE.
254
THE MECHANISM OF THE BEAT. [Book i.
of the " differential manometer," the changes of pressure m the
ventricle and in the aorta at the same time.
0 1 2
34 5
0 12 34 5
Fig.
50. Simultaneous Tracings of Ventriculae and Aortic Pressure.
HURTHLE.
On the left side the recording surface is travelling slowly, on the right more
■swiftly, the tuning-fork vibrations, t, being 100 a second.
A'^. aortic. V. ventricular curve, x — x base line to each. The vertical lines
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, cut each curve at exactly the same time.
In the differential manometer, Fig. 51, the two tambours of two
membrane manometers T and Tj (the mouths of the tubes opening into
each are seen in section) are arranged so that the central discs of both,
T T,
Fig. 51. Diagram of the Differential Manometer of Hurthle.
d and c?„ work on a balance above them. When the pressure in the
two tambours is equal, the balance is horizontal ; any difference of
pressure between the two leads to an upward or downward movement
of one or other arm, and this working against the light steel spring s, by-
means of e and e' moves the lever I.
In Figs. 52, 53 we give simultaneous tracings of the pressure
in the left ventricle V, and in the aorta A^, and of the movements
of the lever of the balance indicating differences of pressure D
between the ventricle and the aorta. At the base line x — x of D the
two pressures are equal. The course of the curve below this base
line indicates that the pressure in the ventricle is below that of the
aorta ; as the curve approaches towards the base line the pressure
in the ventricle becomes more and more nearly equal to that in
the aorta ; and such part of the curve as lies above the base line
indicates (except in so far as it may be due to the inertia of the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAE MECHANISM.
255
instrument) that the pressure in the ventricle is for the time
being above that in the aorta.
t
t
;jxjxjx'
Fig. 52. Simultaneous Curves of Aortic and Ventricular Pressure and
OF THE Differential Manometer. Hurthle.
A*^. aorta. V. ventricle. D. differential manometer, x — x, the base line in each
respectively. The recording surface is travelling slowly, the time marker t, t mark-
ing seconds.
3 4
'ml!i'^mmMmm'\
0 1
3 A-
Fig. 53. The same.
3 4
The recording surface is travelling quickly ; the vibrations of the tuning-fork t,
t, are 100 (double vibrations) a second.
An examination of the figures shews that the pressures in the
ventricle and the aorta become equal at the mark (1). Before
this though the pressure in the ventricle is rising rapidly that in
the aorta is not rising, indeed is continuing to sink -, the closed
256 THE MECHANISM OF THE BEAT. [Book i.
semilunar valves shelter the blood in the aorta from the ventricu-
lar pressure. But immediately after (1) the pressure in the aorta
also begins to rise ; this shews that the semilunar valves are now
open, the blood in the ventricle and that in the aorta now forming
a continuous column, and allowing the pressure of the ventricle to
be felt in the aorta. A very slight excess of pressure on the
ventricular side of the valves is sufficient to push aside the flaps
of the valve ; so that we may fairly say that the valves open
immediately after (1), which marks the point at which the curve
of difference of pressure between the ventricle and the aorta has
reached the base line x — x ; that is to say, at which the difference
between the two has become nil.
It will be observed, however, that the mark (1) cuts the ventri-
cular curve not at the summit of its rise but short of this ; the
pressure in the ventricle continues to rise after the valves are
open, the curve continues after this to ascend rapidly up to (2),.
which marks the beginning of the systolic plateau. During the
interval between (I) and (2) the pressure is rising in the aorta also.
During this interval the pressure in the ventricle, continuing to
rise, becomes greater than that in the aorta, the curve of difference
rises above the base line ; but the excess of pressure in the ventricle
does not become very great, the curve of difference does not rise to
any great height, because that very excess of pressure is used up
in driving the contents of the ventricle into the aorta through the
open semilunar valves.
During this interval the pressure in the aorta continues to
rise because, until the height of pressure at (2) is reached, the
pressure is not yet sufficient to drive the blood on along the
arterial system with adequate rapidity.
With the point (2) the systolic plateau begins. During this
plateau the exact course taken by the curve of ventricular pressure
differs in different cases. We will take first the perhaps more
ordinary case in which the curve with intermediate variations
which we may at present pass over gradually declines until the
point (3) is reached, when the plateau comes to an end by reason
of the sudden fall of the ventricular pressure.
There can be no doubt that the sudden fall after (3) is due to
the sudden cessation of the contraction of the ventricular walls, to
their sudden relaxation. But what is taking place during the
systolic plateau before this point is reached?
It used to be argued, taking count of the distension only of
the aorta as indicated by the sphygmograph, an instrument of
which we shall speak later on, that the ventricular contents
escape into the aorta during the period of the distension of the
aorta and during this only, having ceased to flow by the time that
this distension passes away giving place to a sequent shrinking
of the aorta. Now when this period of distension is carefully
measured it is found to be much shorter than the systole of the
Chap, iv.] TILE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 257
ventricle, as measured by the length of the systolic plateau.
Hence, it being further assumed that the whole of the contents-
of the ventricle were ejected at each systole, it was inferred
that the ventricle remained empty and yet contracted for
an appreciable period after the discharge of its contents. And
this led, in turn, to a great divergence of opinion as to the exact
time at which the semilunar valves were closed.
But when we carefully explore the pressure in the aorta and
in the ventricle at the same time, making use of the differential
manometer, we come upon facts which seem to disprove this view.
Examining Fig. 53 we find that, while during the systolic plateau
the pressure is falling in both aorta and ventricle, the curve
of dif!erence of pressure D remains above the base line, though
not far above it and continually approaching it, up to the mark (.3)
at the very end of the plateau. At this point, however, at the end
of the plateau, at the beginning of relaxation, a very great difference
of pressure is established ; while the ventricular pressure falls
suddenly and soon reaches or even passes the base line (becoming
in the latter case negative, i.e. below that of the atmosphere), the
pressure in the aorta undergoes relatively little change, — indeed,
immediately afterwards receives an increase of which we shall
have to speak later on as the dicrotic crest of the pulse wave ;
and the curve of difference D falls with very great abruptness.
The interpretation of this seems to be as follows. During
the whole of the systolic . plateau up to the mark (3) the semi-
lunar valves are open, the cavity of the ventricle and the root
of the aorta form a common cavity which is occupied by a
continuous column of blood. Hence the curves of ventricular
and aortic pressure, of the pressure at the one end and at the
other end of this column, follow the same general course, and,
indeed, shew the same secondary variations ; this general course
is, in the case which we are studying, a descending one by
reason, as we have said, of the relatively free escape of blood from
the arterial system through the peripheral resistance. But the
column of blood in question is a column in motion, the ventricular
pressure is driving the blood from the ventricle into the aorta ; to
effect this the pressure in the ventricle must continue to be higher
than that which it is itself generating in the aorta, the curve of
difference must remain above the base line. And, since the curve
of difference does remain above the base line right up to the mark
(3), we may infer that up to this point blood does pass from the
ventricle into the aorta. At (3), however, there is a sudden change.
The systole suddenly ceases, and with that the curve of difference
suddenly sinks below the base line ; the flow from ventricle ceases
not because there is no more blood to come, but becaiise the pressure
in the ventricle now becomes lower than that in the aorta ; and,
indeed, the blood would flow back from the aorta to the region of
lower pressure, to the ventricle, were it not that the very first effect
17
258
THE MECHANISM OF THE BEAT. [Book i.
of the reflux is to close the semilunar valves. So soon as these
are closed, the pressures in the ventricle and the aorta, which were
previously following similar courses, now take separate courses ; the
latter falls suddenly, the former decreases gradually, and continues
to decrease until the next systole once more opens the semilunar
valves. We may add that this view is consistent with the conclu-
sion mentioned in § 132, that not only the pulse-volume may vary,
but also, at times at least, the whole contents are not driven out
at the systole, some blood remaining behind.
Moreover, the pressure does not always gradually decline
during the systolic plateau ; sometimes it gradually rises during
the whole of the period of the plateau, reaching its highest point
just before the final sudden fall. This is shewn in Fig. 54.
Fig. 54.
Curve of Aortic and Ventricular Pressure, with an
ASCENDING SySTOLIC PlATEAU. HuRTHLE.
In this figure the general features are the same as in Fig. 53,
save that the curve of ventricular pressure rises during the whole
of the systolic plateau. But the curve of aortic pressure also rises
in a corresponding manner, and the curve of difference, if shewn,
would be the same as in Fig. 53. The explanation of the difference
between the two cases is that in Fig. 53 the peripheral resistance
in the arterial flow (§ 117) is not very great, and the ventricular
systole soon overcomes it to such an extent as to lead at once to
some fall of pressure in the aorta (and in the ventricle). In Fig.
54 the peripheral resistance is very great ; it is not overcome at
first, the ventricle does its best working against it, and produces
the most effect, raising the pressure to the highest point, just
before its systole comes to an end. We may add that a similar
course of the curve may be seen even when the pressure in the
aorta is not very high, provided that the pulse-volume, the quantity
discharged at the systole is very great ; the form of the curve
depends on the relative amounts which are entering the arterial
system from the heart, and leaving it by the peripheral vessels.
It is possible that under some circumstances the whole of the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
259
contents may be discharged before the actual systole ends ; but
the observations and arguments which we have just related,
shew that such an event must be regarded as of exceptional, and
not, as has been contended, of normal occurrence.
Of the smaller secondary variations visible on the systolic
plateau, conspicuous in some curves (4, 5, 6, 7 in Fig. 47), various
explanations have been given. Into the discussion of these we
cannot enter here ; we may however say that in many observations,
which we may probably regard as correct, these secondary markings
are identical in the curves of ventricular pressure, of aortic pressure
and of the cardiac impulse, or of the change in the outward form
of the heart ; the events which cause them tell in the same way
on all three.
Systole
Diastole
Fig 55 Diagram of Ventricular and Aortic Pressure and of the
Cardiac Impulse. Huktiile.
We give in Fig. 55 a diagram of the cardiac events according
to the exposition which we have just made. The curves previously
given were copies of actual curves obtained by experiment ; this
is a constructed diagram. The upper curve is the curve of the
cardiac impulse. The middle curve is the curve of pressure in the
260
NEGATIVE PRESS UEE.
[Book i.
left ventricle ; the unbroken line represents the course of the curve
when, the peripheral resistance being small, the pressure needed
to drive onward the blood is not very high, in the figure less than
150 mm. Hg. The dotted line represents the course of the curve
when, the peripheral resistance being great, the pressure is high,
in the figure nearly 200 mm. Hg. The lower curve is the curve of
pressure at the root of the aorta, the unbroken and the dotted
lines having the same significance as in the ventricular curve.
The line 0 marks the commencement of the ventricular systole,
the line 1 the opening of the semilunar valves, and 3 the end
of the systole. The line 4 marks the beginning of what in dealing
with the pulse, we shall speak of as the dicrotic wave. The semi-
lunar valves are closed between 3 and 4 ; the closure is the result
at 3 of the cessation of the systole and as we shall see the cause
at 4 of the dicrotic wave of the pulse. The time is given in tenths
of a second.
§ 135. In many curves, as in some of those given above, the
pressure in the ventricle at the beginning of diastole falls not only
to the base line, which is the line of atmospheric pressure, but even
below it ; that is to say, becomes negative. Such a negative pressure
may be shewn by means of a minimum manometer, that is, a mano-
meter arranged so as to shew the lowest pressure which has been
reached in a series of events. The mercury manometer, which as we
Fig. .56. The Maximum Manometer of Goltz and Gaule.
At e a connection is made with the tube leading to the heart. When the screw
clamp k is closed, the valve v conies into action, and the instrument, in the position
of the valve shewn in the figure, is a maximum manometer. By reversing the
direction of v it is converted into a minimum manometer. When k is opened, the
variations of pressure are conveyed along a, and the instrument then acts like an
ordinary manometer.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAE MECHANISM. 261
have said, is unsuitable for following the rapid changes constituting a
single beat, may be used as a maximum or minimum instrument
for determining the highest or lowest pressure reached in one or
other of the heart's cavities during a series of beats.
The principle of one fonu of maximum manometer, Fig. 56, consists
in the introduction into the tul)e leading from the heart to the mercury
column, of a (modified eup-and-ball) valve, opening, like the aortic
semilunar valves, easily from the heart, but closing firmly when fluid
attempts to return to the heart. The highest pressure is that which
drives the longest column of fluid past the valve, raising the mercury
column to a corresponding height. Since this column, once past the
valve, cannot return, the mercury remains at the height to which it was
raised by it, and thus records the maximum pressure. By reversing
the direction of the valve, the manometer is converted from a maximum
into a minimum instrument.
A simpler form of maximum and minimum manometer is that of
Hilrthle, which consists of a small chamber connected with two mano-
meters, the opening of each manometer into the chamber being armed
with a valve of thin membrane, so arranged that it permits in the case
of one manometer, the maximum one, the entrance only of the mercury,
in the case of the other, the minimum one, the exit only.
By means of the maximum manometer the pressure in the
left ventricle in the dog has been observed to reach a maximum
of about 140 mm. (mercury), in the right ventricle of about
60 mm. and in the right auricle of about 20 mm. These figures,
however, are given as examples, and not as averages. Simi-
larly negative pressures of from — 50 mm. to — 20 in the left
ventricle of the dog, of about — 15 mm. in the right ventricle, and
of from — 12 mm. to — 7 mm. in the right auricle, have been
observed by the minimum manometer. Part of this diminution of
pressure in the cardiac cavities is due, as will be explained in a
later part of this work, to the aspiration of the thorax in the
respiratory movements. But even when the thorax is opened, and
artificial respiration kept up, under which circumstances no such
aspiration takes place, a negative pressure may be still observed,
the pressure in the left ventricle sinking according to some obser-
vations as low as — 24 mm. Now, what the instrument actually
shews is that at some time or other during the number of beats
which took place while the instrument was applied (and these may
have been very few), the pressure in the ventricle sank so many
mm. below that of the atmosphere. Since, however, the negative
pressure may be observed when the heart is beating quite regularly,
each beat being exactly like the others, we may infer tliat the negative
pressure is repeated at some period or other of each cardiaccycle.
The instrument itself gives us no information as to the exact phase
of the beat in which the negative pressure occurs ; but it is clear
from what we have already seen that when it occurs, it must
take place at the end of the systole, at the beginning of the
262 DUEATION OF CAEDIAC PHASES. [Book i.
diastole. It is obvious, moreover, from what has gone before, that
the semilunar valves are closed before it occurs, and we may
dismiss the view which has been put forward that it is of the same
nature as the negative pressure which makes its appearance behind
a column of fluid moving rapidly and suddenly ceasing, as when a
rapid flow of water through a tube is suddenly stopped by turning
a tap. We may probably attribute it to the relaxation of the
ventricular walls. This, as all the curves shew, is a rapid process,
something quite distinct from the mere filling of the ventricular
cavities with blood by the venous inflow; and, though some
have objected to the view, it may be urged that this return
of tlie ventricle from its contracted condition to its normal form
would develop a negative pressure. This return we may probably
regard as simply the total result of the return of each fibre to
its natural condition, though some have urged that the extra
quantity of blood thrown into the coronary arteries at the systole
helps to unfold the ventricles somewhat in the way that fluid
driven between the two walls of a double-walled collapsed ball or
cup will unfold it.
We may further conclude that such a negative pressure, when
it occurs, will assist the circulation (and it may be remarked that
the return of the thick-walled left ventricle naturally exerts a
greater negative pressure than the thin-walled right ventricle) by
sucking the blood which has meanwhile been accumulated in the
auricle from that cavity into the ventricle, the auriculo-ventricular
valves easily giving way. At the same time this very flow from
the auricle will at once put an end to the negative pressure, which
obviously can be of brief duration only.
It should, however, be added that many observers find the
development of a negative pressure to be by no means of such
constant occurrence, and not to reach such marked limits as might
be inferred from the numbers given above, at least in the unopened
chest. If so it cannot be an important factor in the work of the
circulation.
§ 136. 'The duration of the several phases. We may first of all
distinguish certain main phases : (1) The systole of the auricles.
(2) The systole, proper, of the ventricles, during which their fibres
are in a state of contraction. (3) The diastole of the ventricles,
that is to say, the time intervening between their fibres ceasing to
contract, and commencing to contract again. To these we may
add; (4) The pause or rest of the whole heart, comprising the
period from the end of the relaxation of the ventricles to the
beginning of the systole of the auricles ; during this time the walls
are undergoing no active changes, neither contracting nor relaxing,
their cavities being simply passively filled by the influx of blood.
The mere inspection of almost any series of cardiac curves
however taken, those, for instance, which we have just discussed,
will shew, apart from any accurate measurements, that the systole
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 263
of the auricles is always very brief, that the systole of the ven-
tricles is always very prolonged, always occupying a considerable
portion of the whole cycle, and that the diastole of the whole
heart, reckoned from the end either of the systole, or of the
relaxation of the ventricle, is very various, being in quickly beating
hearts very short, and in slowly beating hearts decidedly longer.
"When we desire to arrive at more complete measurements, we
are obliged to make use of calculations based on various data ; and
the value of some of these has been debated. Naturally, the most
interest is attached to the duration of events in the human heart.
A datum which has been very largely used is the interval
between the beginning of the first and the occurrence of
the second sound. This may be determined with approximative
correctness, and is found to vary from "301 to "327 sec, occupying
from 40 to 46 p. c. of the whole period, and being fairly constant
for different rates of heart beat. That is to say, in a rapidly beating
heart it is the pauses which are shortened, and not the duration
of the actual beats.
The observer, Usteninig to the sounds of the heart, makes a signal at
each event on a recording surface, the diiference in time between the
marks being measured by means of the vibrations of a tuning-fork
recorded on the same surface. By practice it is found possible tO'
reduce the errors of observation witliin very small limits.
Now whatever be the exact causation of the first sound, it is
undoubtedly coincident with the systole of the ventricles, though
possibly the actual commencement of its becoming audible may be
slightly behind the actual beginning of the muscular contractions.
Similarly, the occurrence of the second sound, which, as we have
seen, is certainly due to the closure of the semilunar valves, may
in accordance with the view expounded a little while back, be
taken to mark the close of the ventricular systole. And on this
view the interval between the beginning of the first and the
occurrence of the second sound may be regarded as indicating
approximatively the duration of the ventricular systole, ie. the
period during which the ventricular fibres are contracting.
By an ingenious arrangement, a microphone attached to a
stethoscope may be made to record the heart sounds through the
stimulation of a muscle-nerve preparation : and the record so
obtained may be compared with the various cardiac curves. When
this is done, the first sound is found to begin somewhere on the
systolic ascent of the ventricular curve, the exact point varying,
and the second sound to occur just as the ventricular curve begins
its diastolic descent.
There has been, however, as we stated above, great divergence of
opinion and much discussion as to the exact time of the closure of
the semilunar valves ; the view given in the text above, though it
seems to be supported by adequate arguments, is not the only one
264 DURATION OF CARDIAC PHASES. [Book i.
which is held. And on the view that the ventricles still remain
contracted for a brief period after the valves are shut, the second
sound does not mark the end of the systole, and the duration of
the systole is rather longer than the time given above.
Accepting the view given in the text, we may make the
following statement. In a heart beating 72 times a minute,
which may be taken as the normal rate, each entire cardiac cycle
would last about 0-8 sec, and taking 0"3 sec. as the duration of
the ventricular systole, the deduction of this would leave 0'5 sec.
for the whole diastole of the ventricle including its relaxation, the
latter occupying less than -1 sec. At the end of the diastole of
the ventricle there occurs the systole of the auricle, the exact
duration of which it is difficult to determine, it being hard to say
when it really begins, but which, if the contraction of the great
veins be included, may perhaps be taken as lasting on an average
•O'l sec. The 'passive interval,' therefore, during which neither
auricle nor ventricle is undergoing contraction, lasts about 4 sec,
and the absolute pause or rest, during which neither auricle nor
ventricle is contracting or relaxing, about '3 sec. The systole
of the ventricle follows so immediately upon that of the auricle,
that practically no interval exists between the two events. In
the systole of the ventricle we may distinguish the phase during
which pressure is being got up before the semilunar valves are
opened ; this is exceedingly short, probably from -02 to -03 sec
During the rest of the -3 sec. of the systole, the contents of the
ventricle are being pressed into the aorta.
The duration of the several phases may for convenience sake
be arranged in a tabular form as follows :
Systole of ventricle before the open-
ing of the semilunar valves, while ^
■ pressure is still getting up "03 |
Continued contraction of the ventricle, )-
and I
Escape of blood into aorta '27 J
Total systole of the ventricle
Diastole of both auricle and ventricle,
neither contracting, or " passive in-
terval "
Systole of auricle (about or less than)
Diastole of ventricle, including relaxa-
tion and filling, up to the beginning
of the ventricular systole
Total Cardiac Cycle
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAK MECHANISM. 265
Summary.
§ 137. We may now briefly recapitulate the main facts con-
nected with the passage of blood through the heart. The right
auricle during its diastole, by the relaxation of its muscular fibres,
and by the fact that all backward pressure from the ventricle is
prevented by the closing of the tricuspid valves, offers but little
resistance to the ingress of blood from the veins. On the other
hand, the blood in the trunks of both the superior and inferior
vena cava is under a pressure, which, though diminishing towards
the heart, remains higher than the pressure obtaining in the
interior of the auricle ; the blood in consequence flows into the
empty auricle, its progress in the case of the superior vena cava
being assisted by gravity. At each inspiration this flow (as we
shall see in speaking of respiration) is favoured by the diminution
of pressure in the heart and great vessels caused by the respiratory
movements. Before this flow has gone on very long, the diastole
of the ventricle begins, its cavity dilates, the flaps of the tricuspid
valve fall back, and blood for some little time flows in an un-
broken stream from the vense cavse into the ventricle. How far
the entrance of blood from the auricle into the ventricle is, under
ordinary circumstances, aided by the negative pressure in the
ventricle following the close of the systole, must, as we have said,
be left for the present uncertain. In a short time, probably before
very much blood has had time to enter the ventricle, the auricle is
full ; and forthwith its sharp, sudden systole takes place. Partly
by reason of the backward pressure in the veins, which increases
rapidly from the heart towards the capillaries, and which at some
distance from the heart is assisted by the presence of valves in the
venous trunks, but still more from the fact that the systole begins
at the great veins themselves, and spreads thence over the auricle,
the force of the auricular contraction is spent in driving the blood,
not back into the veins, but into the ventricle, where the pressure
is still exceedingly low. Whether there is any backward flow at
all into the great veins, or whether by the progressive character of
the systole, the flow of blood continues, so to speak, to follow up
the systole without break, so that the stream from the veins into
the auricle is really continuous, is at present doubtful ; though a
slight positive wave of pressure synchronous with the auricular
systole, travelling backward along the great veins, has been
observed at least in cases where the heart is beating vigorously.
The ventricle thus being filled by the auricular systole, the
play of the tricuspid valves described above comes into action,
the auricular systole is followed by that of the ventricle, and the
pressure within the ventricle, cut off from the auricle by the
tricuspid valves, is brought to bear on the pulmonary semilunar
valves, and the column of blood on the other side of those valves.
266 SUMMARY OF HEAET BEAT. [Book i.
As soon as by the rapidly increasing shortening of the ventricular
fibres the pressure within the ventricle becomes greater than
that in the pulmonary artery, the semilunar valves open, and the
still continuing systole discharges the contents of the ventricle
into that vessel.
During the whole of this time the left side has with still
greater energy been executing the same manoeuvre. At the same
time that the vense cavse are tilling the right auricle, the pulmonary
veins are tilling the left auricle. At the same time that the right
auricle is contracting, the left auricle is contracting too. The
systole of the left ventricle is synchronous with that of the right
ventricle, but executed with greater force ; and the flow of blood
is guided on the left side by the mitral and aortic valves in the
same way that it is on the right by the tricuspid valves and the
valves of the pulmonary artery.
As the ventricles become filled with blood, and so increased
in volume, the apex begins to press steadily on the chest-wall,
as may be often seen in the cardiogram, the curve of the
cardiac impulse. The fuller distension due to the auricular
systole is more obvious in the same curve ; but both these
changes are insignificant compared to the effect of the change of
form, and of the position of the apex during the ventricular
systole, by which the lever of the cardiograph is rapidly and
forcibly moved. ,
With this systole of the ventricles the first sound is heard.
We may more conveniently follow the remaining events in the
left ventricle.
The effect of the discharge of the contents of the left ventricle
is to raise the pressure at the root of the aorta to nearly the same
height as that in the ventricle itself. The ventricular pressure
continues for some time, giving rise to the " systolic plateau " of
the various cardiac curves. In some cases this pressure soon
reaches a maximum, after which it gradually declines, the curve of
pressure sloping, with some secondary undulations, gently down-
wards. In other cases where there is great resistance to the
outflow along the arterial system, the pressure may continue to
rise during the whole of the ventricular systole. In both cases
the curves of the ventricular pressure and of the aortic pressure
are similar.
Then comes the sudden cessation of contraction, the sudden
relaxation of the ventricular fibres. The pressure in the ventricle
becomes less than that which it itself has generated in the aorta,
and the semilunar valves suddenly close as the blood flows back
from the region of high pressure, the aorta, towards the region of
low pressure, the ventricle. At this moment the second sound is
heard.
Owing to the semilunar valves being closed, the pressures in
the ventricle and in the aorta, which before were following the
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 267
same course, now become different. While the pressure sinks
rapidly in the ventricle, falling it may be below that of the atmos-
sphere, and thus becoming a negative pressure, which in some cases
may possibly be considerable, that in the aorta does not sink to
a corresponding degree ; in fact, as we shall see, it is reinforced to
a certain extent in a secondary rise, the so-called dicrotic rise.
We have reason to believe not only that the quantity of blood
ejected at the systole may vary from time to time, but also that
at times at all events if not normally, the whole of the blood
present in the ventricle at the systole may fail to leave the
ventricle during the systole, more or less remaining behind at the
close ; the ventricle in such cases does not completely empty itself.
On the other hand, we may perhaps admit that, at least under cer-
tain circumstances, when, for instance, the contents of the ventricle
are small, and the ventricle vigorous or the systole prolonged, the
whole of the contents may be discharged in the earlier part of the
systole, the ventricle remaining contracted for some little time after
it has emptied itself.
Tlie Work done.
§ 138. We have already (§ 132) spoken of that most important
factor in the determination of the work of the heart, the pulse-
volume, or the quantity ejected from the ventricle into the aorta
at each systole, and of the various methods by which it may be
estimated. We have seen that it probably varies within very
considerable limits.
We may here repeat the remark that exactly the same quantity
must issue at a beat from each ventricle ; for if the right ventricle
at each beat gave out rather less than the left, after a certain
number of beats the whole of the blood would be gathered in the
systemic circulation. Similarly, if the left ventricle gave out less
than the right, all the blood would soon be crowded into the
lungs. The fact that the pressure in the right ventricle is so
much less than that in the left (probably 30 or 40 mm. as
compared with 200 mm. of mercury), is due, not to differences in
the quantity of blood in the cavities, but to the fact that the
peripheral resistance which has to be overcome in the lungs is so
much less than that in the rest of the body.
Not only does the amount ejected vary, but the pressure under
which it is ejected also varies within very considerable limits.
Moreover, the number of times the systole is repeated within a
given period may also vary considerably. The work done, therefore,
varies very much. But it may be interesting and instructive to
note the results of calculating out a very high estimate. Thus
if we take 180 grms. as the quantity, in man, ejected
at each stroke at a pressure of 250 mm. of mercury, which is
268 THE WOEK DONE. [Book i.
equivalent to 3 "21 meters of blood, this means that the left
ventricle is capable at its systole of lifting 180 grms. 3-21 m. high,
i. e. it does 578 gram-meters of work at each beat. Supposing the
heart to beat 72 times a minute, this would give for the day's
work of the left ventricle nearly 60,000 kilogram-meters. Calcu-
lating the work of the right ventricle at one-fourth that of the
left, the work of the whole heart during the day would amount to
75,000 kilogram-meters, which is just about the amount of work
done in the ascent of Snowdon by a tolerably heavy man.
SEC. 4. THE PULSE.
§ 139. We have seen that the arteries, though always dis-
tended, undergo, each time that the systole of the ventricle drives
the contents of the ventricle into the aorta, a temporary additional
expansion so that when the finger is placed on an artery, such
as the radial, an intermittent pressure on the finger, coming and
going with the beat of the heart, is felt, and when a light lever
is placed on the artery, the lever is raised at each beat, falling
between.
This intermittent expansion, which we call the pulse, cor-
responding to the jerking outflow of blood from a severed artery,
is present in the arteries only, being, except under particular
circumstances, absent from the veins and capillaries. The expan-
sion is frequently visible to the eye, and in some cases, as where
an artery has a bend, may cause a certain amount of locomotion
of the vessel.
We may, by applying various instruments to the interior of an
artery, study the temporary increase of pressure which is the cause
of the temporary increase of expansion. This makes itself felt, as
we have seen, in the curve of arterial pressure taken by the mercury
manometer ; but the inertia of the mercury prevents the special
characters of each increase becoming visible. In order to obtain
an adequate record of these special characters we must have
recourse to other instruments.
The membrane-manometer, of which we have ah'eady spoken (§ 131),
and on the results gained by which when appHeil to the root of the
aorta by means of a catheter we have dwelt (§ 134), may also be applied
to other arteries, the tube leading to the tambour of the manometer being
connected with the artery by means of a cannula in the ordinary way.
In Fick's spring-manometer, in its original form, Fig. 57, the artery
is connected by means of a cannula and a rigid tube containing fluid
with the interior of a curved spring ; an increase of pressure unfolds
the curve of the spring, the movements of the end of which may be
recorded by means of a lever. In Fick's improved form the membrane
of a small air-tambour works against a horizontal slip of steel which
acts as a spring ; this instrument, like Froy and Krehl's manometer
270
METHODS OF RECORDING PULSE. [Book i.
which is only a modification of it (see § 131), can be applied to an artery
by a cannula in the ordinary way.
The " sphygmoscope " consists of a small elastic bag, the end of an
india rubber finger, for instance, fitted on to a conical cork, through
which passes a tube opening into the bag, and connected by a cannula
with the artery ; both bag and tube are, before being connected with
the artery, filled with fluid of a nature to hinder clotting. The bag, by
means of the conical cork, is firmly fitted into the end of a small glass
tube, the cavity of which filled with air is connected with a recording air
tambour. The changes of pressure within the artery are transmitted to
the elastic bag, and through this to the air of the glass tube and so to the
recording tambour.
The tambour-sphygmoscope of Hurthle is a combination of the
membrane-manometer with a tambour. The membrane of the manometer
works not directly on a lever, but on a recording air tambour, the move-
ments of which are recorded in the usual way.
In the sphygmotonometer of Roy, the artery is, by means of a
cannula, and rigid tube filled with fluid, connected with a cylinder in
which a light piston works by means of a delicate membrane.
Fig. 57. Fick's Spring Manometer.
The flattened tube in the form of a hoop is firmly fixed at one end, while the
other free end is attached to a lever. The interior of the tube, filled with spirit, is
brought, by means of a tube containing sodium carbonate solution, into connection
with an' artery, in much the same way as in the case of the mercury manometer.
The increase of pressure in the artery being transmitted to the hollow hoop, tends
to straighten it, and correspondingly moves the attached lever.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAK MECHANISM.
271
And there are still other instruments which may be used in a
similar way.
It is not necessary, however, to open the artery ; we may study
indirectly the changes of pressure by recording the expansions and
retractions of the artery, the changes in its diameter, which are
produced by the changes of pressure.
The most common method of registering the expansion of an artery
and at the same time one of the simplest, is that of bringing a light lever
to bear on the outside of the artery.
A lever specially adapted to record a pulse tracing is called a
sphygmograph, the instrument generally comprising a small travelling
recording surface on which the lever writes. There are many different
forms of sphygmograph, but the general plan of structure is the same.
Eig, 58 represents in a diagrammatic form the essential parts of the
sphj'-gmograph known as Dudgeon's, which we have chosen for reprn-
sentation, not because it is best, but because it is one very largely
employed in medical practice. The instrument is generally applied to
the radial artery because the arm affords a convenient support to the
fulcrum of the lever, and because the position of the artery, near to the
Fig. 58. Di.vgram of a Sphygmograph (Dudgeon's).
Certain supporting parts are omitted so that tlie multiplying levers may be
displayed.
a is a small metal ijlate which is kept pressed on the artery by the spring h.
The vertical movements of a cause to-and-fro movements of the lever r about the
fixed point d. These are communicated to and magiiifiod bv the lever e, wliich
moves round the fixed ])oiiit f. 'I'he free end of this lover carries a liglit steel
marker wliich rests on a strip of smoked paper r/. The ]ia])er is jdaced bcnoatli two
small wheels, and rests on a roller which can be rotated by means of clock-work
contained in the box h. The paper is thus caused to travel at a uniform rate.
The screw graduated in ounces Troy is brought to bear on the spring /* by means of
a camm, ami by this the pressure put on the artery can be regulated. The levers
magnify the ])ulso inovomonts fifty times.
272 METHODS OF EECORDING PULSE. [Book t.
surface and with the support of the radius below so that adequate
pressure can be brought to bear by the lever on the artery, is favour-
able for making observations. It can, of course, be applied to other
arteries.
The membrane-manometer of Hiirthle may also be applied directly
to an unopened artery. The cannula is replaced by a small funnel, the
mouth of which is covered by membrane bearing at its centre a small
block of cork. If the cork be pressed lightly on an artery, the expansions
of the artery move the membrane of the funnel, and the movements
of this are transmitted along the fluid of a rigid tube to the recording
tambour.
A pulse tracing may also be indirectly obtained by the plethysmo-
graphic method. If the arm be introduced into a plethysmograph
(§ 122), a tracing may be obtained of the rhythmic expansions of the
arm, that is, of the rhythmic expansions of the arteries of the arm, due
to the heart beats. If the plethysmograph chamber be filled with air
instead of fluid, the changes of pressure in the chamber may be brought
to bear on a sensitive flame, the changes of which in turn may be
photograplied.
If the artery be laid bare, other methods may be adopted. In some
cases, in that of the aorta, for instance, it is sufficient to attach a light
hook into the outer coat of the artery, and to connect the hook by
means of a thread with a carefully balanced lever. The movements of
the coat of the artery are then recorded by the lever.
The sphygmotonometer of Roy may also be used without opening
the artery. For this purpose a length of the artery is enclosed in a
tube with rigid walls, filled with fluid, which acts as a plethysmograph,
the movements of the fluid around the artery being recorded by means
of a piston working a lever. If the artery be ligatured and divided,
one end may be drawn into the tube for the distance required. The
tube may also be made of two halves, one of Avliich is slipped under the
artery simply laid bare, the other placed above it, and the two halves
are brought together round tlie artery, the two ends of the tube being
closed with membrane.
And still other methods may be employed.
The several tracings obtained by these several methods differ
of coarse in minor features, but they agree in general features ;
and from a comparative study of the results obtained by different
methods v^^e are able, in many cases at all events, to form conclu-
sions as to which of the minor features of a curve are due to the in-
strument itself, and which represent events actually taking place
in the artery. On the whole, the curve obtained by directly record-
ing the pressure within the artery is concordant with that obtained
by recording the expansions of the artery ; the curve obtained by
the manometer or by the sphygmoscope very closely resembles
that obtained by the sphygmograph, and the more completely the
incidental errors of each instrument are avoided, the more closely
do the two curves agree. We may accordingly in treating of the
pulse confine ourselves largely to the results obtained by the sphyg-
mograph. Any of the various instruments applied to the radial
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 273
artery would give some such tracing as that shewn in Fig. 59 which
is obtained by means of the sphygmograph. At each heart beat the
Fig. 59. Pulse tracing from the Radial Artery of Man.
The vertical curved line, L, gives the tracing which the recording lever made
when the blackened paper was motionless. The curved interrupted lines shew the
distance from one another in time of the chief phases of the pulse-wave, viz.
X = commencement, and A end of expansion of artery, p, predicrotic notch, d, di-
crotic notch. C, dicrotic crest. D, post-dicrotic crest, f, the post-dicrotic notch.
These terms are explained in the text later on.
curve rises rapidly, and then falls more gradually in a line which
is more or less uneven.
§ 140. We have now to study the nature and characters of
the pulse in greater detail.
We may say at once, and, indeed, have already incidentally
seen, that the pulse is essentially due to physical causes ; it is
the physical result of the sudden injection of the contents of the
ventricle into the elastic tubes called arteries. Its features
depend on the one hand on the systole of the ventricle, on the
quantity of blood which is thereby discharged into the aorta, and
on the manner in which it is discharged, and on the other hand
on the elasticity of the arterial walls. The more important of
these features may be explained on physical principles, and may
be illustrated by means of an artificial model, so far at least as
we can imitate the action of the heart.
We may confine ourselves, in the first instance, to the simple
expansion of the arterial tube and its return to its previous
condition, neglecting for the present all secondary events.
If two levers be placed on the arterial tubes of an artificial
model Fig. 31, S. a., S'. a., one near to the pump, and the other
near to the peripheral resistance, with a considerable length of
tubing between them, and both levers be made to write on a
recording surface, one immediately below the other, so that their
curves can be more easily compared, the following facts may be
observed, when the pump is set to work regularly. They are
18
274.
ARTIFICIAL PULSE.
[Book i.
perhaps still better seen if a number of levers be similarly-
arranged at different distances from the pump as in Fig. 60.
^/\AyVVV\AAA/V\AAAA/
50 v:
Fig. 60. Pulse-curves described by a series of sphygmographic levers placed at
intervals of 20 cm. from each other along an elastic tube, into which fluid is forced
by the sudden stroke of a pump. The pulse-wave is travelling from left to right, as
indicated by the arrows over the primary (a) and secondary (6, c) pulse-waves. The
dotted- vertical lines drawn from the summit of the several primary waves to the
tuning-fork curve below, each complete vibration of which occupies ^ sec, allow the
time to be measured which is taken up by the wave in passing along 20 cm. of the
tubing. The waves a' are waves reflected from the closed distal end of the tubing ;
this is indicated by the direction of the arrows. It will be observed that in the
more distant lever VI. the reflected wave, having but a slight distance to travel,
becomes fused with the primary wave. (From Marey.)
At each stroke of the pump, each lever rises until it reaches
a maximum (Fig. 60, la, 2a, &c.), and then falls again, thus
describing a curve. The rise is due to the expansion of the part
of the tube under the lever, and the fall is due to that part of the
(JiiAP. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
275
tube returning after the expansion to its previous calibre. The
curve is therefore the curve of the expansion (and return) of
the tube at the point on which the lever rests. We may call it
the pulse-curve. It is obvious that the expansion passes by the
lever in the form of a wave. At one moment the lever is at rest:
the tube beneath it is simply distended to the normal amount
indicative of the mean pressure which at the time obtains in the
arterial tubes of the model ; at the next moment the pulse expan-
sion reaches the lever, and the lever begins to rise ; it continues
to rise until the top of the wave reaches it, after which it falls
again until finally it comes to rest, the wave having completely
passed by.
It may perhaps be as well at once to warn the reader that the
figure which we call the pulse-curve is not a representation of the
pulse-wave itself ; it is simply a representation of the movements,
up and down, of the piece of the wall of the tubing at the spot on
which the lever rests during the time that the wave is passing
over that spot. We may roughly represent the wave by the
diagram Fig. 61, in which the wave shewn by the dotted line is
\^
H ^s— >
z
y
X C
/
X
Fig. 61. A rough diagrammatic Representation of a Pulse-Wave passing
OVER AN Artery.
passing over the tubs (shewn in a condition of rest by the thick
double line) in the direction from H to C. It must, however, be
remembered that the wave thus figured is a much shorter wave
than is the pulse-wave in reality (that being, as we shall see,
about 6 meters long), i.e. occupies a smaller length of the arterial
system from the heart H towards the capillaries C. Moreover, the
actual pulse-wave has secondary features, which we are neglecting
for the present, and which, therefore, we do not attempt to shew
in the figure.
The curves below, X, Y, Z, represent, in a similarly diagram-
matic fashion, the curves described, during the passage of the wave,
276
ARTIFICIAL PULSE.
[Book i.
by levers placed on the points x, y, z. At Z the greater part of
the wave has already passed under the lever, which, during its
passage, has already described the greater part of its curve, shewn
by the thick line, and has only now to describe the small part,
shewn by the dotted line, corresponding to the remainder of the
wave from Z to H. At Fthe lever is at the summit of the wave.
At X the lever has only described a small part of the beginning
of the wave, viz. from G to x, the rest of the curve, as shewn by
the dotted line, having yet to be described.
But to return to the consideration of Fig. 60.
§ 141. The rise of each lever is somewhat sudden, but the fall
is more gradual, and is generally marked with some irregularities
which we shall study presently. The rise is sudden because the
sharp stroke of the pump suddenly drives a quantity of fluid into
the tubing, and so suddenly expands the tube ; the fall is more
gradual because the elastic reaction of the walls of the tube, which,
after the expanding power of the pump has ceased, brings about
the return of the tube to its former calibre driving the fluid
onwards to the periphery, is more gradual in its action.
These features, the suddenness of the rise or up-stroke, and the
more gradual slope of the fall or down-stroke, are seen also in
natural pulse-curves taken from living arteries (Figs. 59, 62 &c.).
We shall see, however, that under certain circumstances this
contrast between the up-stroke and the down-stroke is not so
marked.
It may here be noted that the actual size of the curve, that is
the amount of excursion of the
lever, depends in part (as does also
to a great extent the form of the
curve) on the amount of pressure
exerted by the lever on the tube.
If the lever only just touches the
tube in its expanded state, the rise
will be insignificant. If, on the
other hand, the lever be pressed
down too firmly, the tube beneath
will not be able to expand as it
otherwise would, and the rise of the
lever will be proportionately dimin-
ished. There is a certain pressure
which must be exerted by the lever
on the tube, the exact amount
depending on the expansive power
of the tubing, and on the pressure
exerted by the fluid in the tube,
in order that the tracing may be
best marked. This is shewn in
Fig. 62, in which are given three tracings taken from the same
Fig. 62. Pulse tracings from the
same radial artery under die
ferent pressures of the lever.
The letters are explained iu a later
part of the text. Taken with
Dudgeon's sphygmograph.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 277
radial artery with the same instrument , in the lower curve the
pressure of the lever is too great, in the upper curve too small, to
bring out the proper characters of the pulse ; these are seen more
distinctly in the middle curve with a medium pressure.
§ 142. It will be observed that in Fig. 60, curve I., which is
nearer the pump, rises more rapidly and rises higher than curve II.,
which is farther away from the pump ; that is to say, at the lever
farther away from the pump the exiDansion is less and takes place
more slowly than at the lever nearer the pump. Similarly in
curve IV. the rise is still less, and takes place still less rapidly
than in II., and the same change is seen still more marked in V.
as compared with IV. In fact if a number of levers were placed
at equal distances along the arterial tubing of the model, and the
model were working properly, with an adequate peripheral resist-
ance, we might trace out step by step how the expansion, as it
travelled along the tube, got less and less in amount, and at the
same time became more gradual in its development, the curve
becoming lower and more flattened out, until, in the neighbourhood
of the artificial capillaries, there was hardly any trace of it left.
In other words, we might trace out step by step the gradual
disappearance of the pulse.
The same changes, the same gradual lowering and flattening
of the curve, may be seen in natural pulse tracings ; compare, for
instance, Fig. 63, which is a trac-
ing from the dorsalis pedis artery,
with the tracing from the radial
artery Fig. 62, taken from the
same individual with the same
instrument on the same occasion.
This feature is, of course, not ob- Fig- 63. Pulse tracixg from Dor-
vious in all pulse-curves taken '^Dn'fo^J'.'LrsXl'er^"''''''^
from different individuals with
different instruments and under varied circumstances ; but if
a series of curves from different arteries were carefully taken
under the same conditions, it would be found that the aortic
tracing is higher and more sudden than the carotid tracing,
which again is higher and more sudden than the radial tracing,
the tibial tracing being in turn still lower and more flattened.
The pulse-curve dies out by becoming lower and lower, and more
and more flattened out.
And a little consideration will shew us that this must be so.
The systole of the ventricle drives a quantity of blood into the
already full aorta. The sudden injection of this quantity of blood
expands the portion of the aorta next to the heart, the part
immediately adjacent to the semilunar valves beginning to expand
first, and the expansion travelling thence on to the end of this
portion. In the same way the expansion travels on from this
portion through all the succeeding portions of the arterial system.
278 DISAPPEARAKCE OF PULSE. [Book i.
For the total expansion required to make room for the new
quantity of blood is not provided by that portion alone of the
aorta into which the blood is actually received ; it is supplied by
the whole arterial system : the old quantity of blood which is
replaced by the new in this first portion has to find room for itself
in the rest of the arterial space. As the expansion travels onward,
however, the increase of pressure, which each portion transmits to
the succeeding portion, will be less than that which it received
from the preceding portion. For the whole increase of pressure
due to the systole of the ventricle has to be distributed over the
whole of the arterial system ; the general mean arterial pressure
is, as we have seen, maintained by repeated systoles, and any one
systole has to make its contribution to that mean pressure ; the
increase of pressure which starts from the ventricle must there-
fore leave behind at each stage of its progress a fraction of itself ;
that is to say, the expansion is continually growing less, as the
pulse travels from the heart to the capillaries. Moreover, while
the expansion of the aorta next to the heart is, so to speak, the
direct effect of the systole of the ventricle, the expansion of the
more distant artery is the effect of the systole transmitted by the
help of the elastic reaction of the arterial tract between the heart
and the distant artery ; and since this elastic reaction is slower in
development than the actual systole, the expansion of the more
distant artery is slower than that of the aorta, the up-stroke of
the pulse-curve is less sudden, and the whole pulse-curve is more
flattened.
The object of the systole is to supply a contribution to the
mean pressure, and the pulse is an oscillation above and below
that mean pressure, an oscillation which diminishes from the heart
onwards, being damped by the elastic walls of the arteries, and so,
little by little, converted into mean pressure until in the capillaries
the mean pressure alone remains, the oscillations having dis-
appeared.
§ 143. If in the model the points of the two levers at different
distances from the pump be placed exactly one under the other
on the recording surface, it is obvious that, the levers being alike
except for their position on the tube, any difference in time
between the movements of the two levers will be shewn by an
interval between the beginnings of the curves they describe, the
recording surface being made to travel sufficiently rapidly.
If the movements of the two levers be thus compared, it will be
seen that the far lever (Fig. 60, II.) commences later than the near
one (Fig. 60, I.) ; the farther apart the two levers are, the greater
is the interval in time between their curves. Compare the series
I. to VI. (Fig. 60). In the same way it would be found that the
rise of the near lever began some fraction of a second after the
stroke of the pump. This means that the wave of expansion, the
pulse-wave, takes some time to travel along the tube.
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 279
The velocity with which the pulse-wave travels depends chiefly
on the amount of rigidity possessed by the tubing. The more
extensible (with corresponding elastic reaction) the tube, the slower
is the wave ; the more rigid the tube becomes, the faster the wave
travels ; in a perfectly rigid tube, what in the elastic tube would
be the pulse, becomes a mere shock travelling with very great
rapidity. The width of the tube is of much less influence, though
according to some observers the wave travels more slowly in the
wider tubes.
The rate at which the normal pulse-wave travels in the human
body has been variously estimated at from 10 to 5 meters per
second. In all probability we may take 6 meters as an average
rate ; but it must be remembered that the rate may vary very
considerably under different conditions. According to all observers
the velocity of the wave in passing from the groin to the foot is
greater than that in passing from the axilla to the wrist (6 m.
against 5 m.). This is probably due to the fact that the femoral
artery with its branches is more rigid than the axillary and its
branches. So, also, the wave travels more slowly in the arteries
of children than in the more rigid arteries of the adult. The
velocity is also increased by circumstances which heighten, and
decreased by those which lower the mean arterial pressure, since
with increasing pressure the arterial walls become more, and with
diminishing pressure less rigid. Probably also the velocity of the
pulse-wave depends on conditions of the arterial walls, which we
cannot adequately describe as mere differences in rigidity. In
experimenting with artificial tubes it is found that different
qualities of India rubber give rise to very different results.
Care must be taken not to confound the progress of the pulse-
wave, i.e. of the expansion of the arterial walls, with the actual
onward movement of the blood itself. The pulse-wave travels
over the moving blood somewhat as a rapidly moving natural
wave travels along a sluggishly flowing river. Thus while the
velocity of the pulse-wave is 6 or possibly even 10 meters per sec,
that of the current of blood is not more than half a meter per sec,
even in the large arteries, and is still less in the smaller ones.
§ 144. Referring again to the caution given above, not to
regard the pulse-curve as a picture of the pulse-wave, we may now
add that the pulse- wave is of very considerable length. If we know
h ow long it takes for the pulse-wave to pass over any point in the
arteries and how fast it is travelling, we can easily calculate the
length of the wave. In an ordinary pulse-curve the artery, owing to
the slow return, is seen not to regain the calibre which it had before
the expansion, until just as the next expansion begins, that is to
say, the pulse-wave takes the whole time of a cardiac cycle, viz.
y^ths sec, to pass by the lever. Taking the velocity of the pulse-
wave as 6 meters per sec, the length of the wave will be j^ths of
6 m., that is, nearly 5 metere And even if we took a smaller
280
VELOCITY OF PULSE WAVE.
[Book i.
estimate, by supposing that the real expansion and return of the
artery at any point took much less time, say -^^th sec, the length
of the pulse-wave would still be more than 2 meters. But even
in the tallest man the capillaries farthest from the heart, those in
the tips of the toes, are not 2 m. distant from the heart. In other
words, the length of the pulse-wave is much greater than the
whole length of the arterial system, so that the beginning of
each wave has become lost in the small arteries and capillaries
some time before the end of it has finally passed away from the
beginning of the aorta.
■ We must now return to the consideration of certain special
features in the pulse, which, from the indications they give or
suggest of the condition of the vascular system, are often of great
interest.
§ 145. Secondary waves. In nearly all pulse tracings, the
curve of the expansion and recoil of the artery is broken by two,
three, or several smaller elevations and depressions : secondary
waves are imposed upon the fundamental or primary wave. In
the sphygmographic tracing from the carotid, Fig. 64, and in many
of the other tracings given, these secondary elevations are marked
Fig. 64. Pulse tracing from carotid artery of healthy man (Moens).
X, commencement of expansion of the artery. A, summit of the first rise. C,
dicrotic secondary wave. B, predicrotic secondary wave ; p, notch preceding this.
D, succeeding secondary wave. The curve above is that of a tuning-fork with ten
double vibrations in a second.
as B, C, D. When one such secondary elevation only is conspic-
uous, so that the pulse-curve presents two notable crests only,
the primary crest and a secondary one, the pulse is said to be
" dicrotic " ; when two secondary crests are prominent, the pulse is
often called " tricrotic " ; when several, " polycrotic." As a general
rule, the secondary elevations appear only on the descending limb
of the primary wave as in most of the curves given, and the curve
is then spoken of as " katacrotic." Sometimes, however, the first
elevation or crest is not the highest, but appears on the ascending
portion of the main curve : such a curve is spoken of as " anacrotic "
Fig. 65. As we have already seen (§ 134) the curve of pressure
at the root of the aorta, and, indeed, that of endocardiac pressure
may be in like manner " anacrotic " (Figs. 54, 55).
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
281
Of these secondary elevations, the most frequent, conspicuous,
and important is the one which appears
some way down on the descending limb,
and is marked C on Fig. 64 and on most
of the curves here given. It is more (jr
less distinctly visible on all sphygmograms,
and may be seen in those of the aorta
as well as of other arteries. Sometimes
it is so slight as to be hardly discernible ;
at other times it may be so marked as Fig. 65 Anacrotic sphyg-
to give rise to a really double pulse 'Z^^^:;;::;:!'' ^I^
(Fig. 66), i.e. a pulse which can be felt (Aneurism),
as double by the finger : hence it has been
called the dicrotic elevation or the dicrotic wave, the notch
preceding the elevation being spoken of as the " dicrotic notch."
f\
Fig. 66. Two grades of marked dicrotism in radial pulse of man.
(Typhoid Fever.)
Neither it nor any other secondary elevations can be recognized
in the tracings of blood pressure taken with a mercury manometer.
This may be explained, as we have said § 139, by the fact that
the movements of the mercury column are too sluggish to repro-
duce these finer variations. Moreover, when the normal pulse
is felt by the finger, most persons find themselves unable to detect
any dicrotism. But that it does really exist in the normal pulse
is shewn by the fact that it appears, sometimes to a marked
extent, sometimes to a less extent, not only in sphygmograms and
in curves of arterial pressure taken by adequate instruments, but
also and in a most unmistakeable manner in the tracing obtained
by allowing the blood to spirt directly from an opened small
artery, such as the dorsalis pedis, upon a recording surface.
Less constant and conspicuous than the dicrotic wave, but yet
appearing in most sphygmograms, is an elevation which appears
higher up on the descending limb of the main wave; it is marked
B in Fig. 64, and on several of the other curves, and is frequently
called the predicrotic wave ; it may become very prominent. Some-
times other secondary waves, often called ' post-dicrotic,' are seen
following the dicrotic wave, as at D in Fig. 64, and some other
curves ; but these are not often present, and usually even when
present inconspicuous.
When tracings are taken from several arteries, or from the same
artery under different conditions of the body, these secondary
waves are found to vary very considerably, giving rise to many
282 THE DICEOTIC WAVE. [Book i.
characteristic forms of pulse-curve. Were we able with certainty
to trace back the several features of the curves to their respective
causes, an adequate examination of sphygmographic tracings
would undoubtedly disclose much valuable information concerning
the condition of the body presenting them. The problems, how-
ever, of the origin of these secondary waves and of their variations
are complex and difficult ; so much so that the detailed interpre-
tation of a sphygmographic tracing is still in many cases and in
many respects very uncertain.
§ 146. The Dicrotic Wave. The chief interest attaches to
the nature and meaning of the dicrotic wave. In general the
main conditions favouring the dicrotic wave are (1) a highly
extensible and elastic arterial wall ; (2) a comparatively low mean
pressure, leaving the extensible and elastic reaction of the arterial
wall free scope to act ; and (3) a vigorous and rapid stroke of the
ventricle, discharging into the aorta a considerable quantity of
blood.
The origin of this dicrotic wave has been and indeed still is
much disputed.
In the first place, observers are not agreed as to the part of
the arterial system in which it first makes its appearance. In
such a system as that of the arteries we have to deal with two
kinds of waves. There are the waves which are generated at the
pump, the heart, and travel thence onwards towards the periphery ;
the primary pulse-wave due to the discharge of the contents of
the ventricle is of this kind. But there may be other waves
which, started somewhere in the periphery, travel backwards
towards the central pump ; such are what are called ' reflected '
waves. For instance, when the tube of the artificial model, bear-
ing two levers, is blocked just beyond the far lever, the primary
wave is seen to be accompanied by a second wave, which at the
far lever is seen close to, and often fused into, the primary wave
(Fig. 60, VI. a'), but at the near lever is at some distance from it
(Fig. 60, I. a'), being the farther from it the longer the interval
between the lever and the block in the tube. The second wave is
evidently the primary wave reflected at the block and travelling
backwards towards the pump. It thus, of course, passes the far
lever before the near one. And it has been argued that the
dicrotic wave of the pulse is really such a reflected wave, started
either at the minute arteries and capillaries, or at the several
points of bifurcation of the arteries, and travelling backwards to
the aorta. But if this were the case the distance between the
primary crest and the dicrotic crest ought to be less in arteries
more distant from, than in those nearer to the heart, just as in
the artificial scheme the reflected wave is fused with a primary
wave near the block (Fig. 60, VI. 6 a. a'), but becomes more and
more separated from it the farther back towards the pump we trace
it (Fig. 60, I. 1. a. a'). Now this is not the case with the dicrotic
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHxVNISM. 283
wave. Careful measurements shew that the distance between
the primary and dicrotic crests is either the same or certainly not
less in the smaller or more distant arteries than in the larger or
nearer ones. This feature indeed proves that the dicrotic wave
cannot be due to reflection at the periphery or, indeed, in any way
a retrograde wave. Besides, the multitudinous peripheral division
would probably render one large, peripherically reiiected wave im-
possible. Again, the more rapidly the primary wave is obliterated
or at least diminished on its way to the periphery, the less
conspicuous should be the dicrotic wave. Hence, increased
extensibility and increased elastic reaction of the arterial walls
which tend to use up rapidly the primary wave, should also lessen
the dicrotic wave. But, as a matter of fact, these conditions, as we
have said, are favourable to the prominence of the dicrotic wave.
We may conclude, then, that the dicrotic wave, like the primary
wave, begins at the heart and travels thence towards the periph-
ery. But even if this be admitted, observers are not agreed as
to the mechanism of its production. As we stated (§ 134) there
seemed to be evidence that the ventricle discharged its contents
so rapidly that during the latter part of the systole it remained
contracted though empty. In accordance with this view, the
following explanation of the development of the dicrotic wave has
been given.
When a rapid flow of fluid through a tube is suddenly stopped,
a negative pressure makes its appearance behind the column of
fluid ; owing to its momentum the fluid tends to move onward,
though there is now no following fluid to take its place. The
sudden cessation of the flow from the ventricle, due to the ventricle
being suddenly emptied, must, it is argued, lead to a similar
negative pressure ; and, indeed, as we have said, the negative
pressure which may be observed in the ventricle has, by some,
been referred to this cause. In a rigid tube such a negative
pressure simply leads to a reflux of fluid ; when the tap of a
running water supply is suddenly turned off, the click which is
heard is caused by the fluid being thus brought back against the
tap. In a thin, collapsible tube, again, such a negative pressure
simply leads to a collapse of the tube near the tap. But in an
elastic tube, like the aorta, the effects of such a negative pressure
are complicated by those of the elastic action and the inertia of
the walls of the tube. Upon the sudden cessation of the flow
from the ventricle, the expansion of the aorta ceases, the vessel
begins to shrink. This shrinking is in part due to the elastic
reaction of the walls of the aorta, but is increased by the
" suction " action of the negative pressure. In thus shrinking,
however, under these combined causes, the aorta, through the
inertia of its walls, and of the contained blood is carried too far,
it shrinks too much, and in consequence, the negative pressure
moreover having by this time passed away, begins to expand again.
284 THE DICROTIC WAVE. [Book i.
But this secondary expansion in turn gives place in a similar
manner to another shrinking, and indeed may, in a similar manner,
be followed by still other oscillations. And, though the predi-
crotic wave, when it occurs, presents difficulties which we cannot
now discuss, the dicrotic wave may on this view be regarded as
the main secondary expansion so originating.
As we urged, however, in § 134, the arguments which led to the
view that the ventricle, in a normal beat, discharges the whole of
its contents before it has finished its contraction do not appear to
be valid. We saw reason to think that the flow from the ventricle
into the aorta ceases because the contraction of the ventricle
ceases, and not because there is no more blood to be discharged.
Hence, there is no need to appeal to a suddenly developed
negative pressure, such as that upon which the foregoing
explanation is based, and that explanation in consequence falls to
the ground.
On the other hand, the simultaneous curves of endocardiac and
aortic pressure (Fig. 55 and others) shew us that the end of the sys-
tole is, in a normal beat, coincident with the dicrotic notch, as it is
called, with the depression immediately preceding the dicrotic wave.
The curve of the differential manometer further shews us that this
is the point at which the pressure in the ventricle begins to become
less than in the aorta. We may, therefore, adopt the following
explanation of the dicrotic wave. The flow from the ventricle
into the aorta ceases because the systole ceases ; the cessation
takes place while the two cavities are still open to each other,
and probably, in most cases at least, while there is still more or
less blood in the ventricle. The pressure in the ventricle tends
to become less than that in the aorta, and the blood in the aorta
tends to flow back into the ventricle. But the first effect of this
is to close firmly the semilunar valves. The expansion of the
aorta (which in many cases had been lessening even during the
systole, owing to the flow through the periphery of the arterial
system being more rapid than the flow from the ventricle, but in
some cases, in the anacrotic instances, had not) lessens with the
cessation of the flow ; the aorta shrinks, pressing upon its con-
tents. But part of this pressure is spent on the closed semilunar
valves, and the resistance offered by these starts a new wave of
expansion, the dicrotic wave, which travels thence onwards
towards the periphery in the wake of the primary wave. If we
admit that the blood is flowing from the ventricle during the
whole of the systole, we must also admit that the semilunar valves
do not close until the end of the systole, and this being, as shewn
by the curves, just antecedent to the dicrotic wave, we may
attribute this wave to the rebound from the closed valves. It is
not necessary that the valves should act perfectly, and the dicrotic
wave may occur in cases where the valves are more or less
incompetent ; all that is required for its production is an adequate
CiiAP. IV. J THE VASCULAK MECHANISM. 285
obstacle to the return of blood from the tujrta to the ventricle,
and without such an obstacle the circulation could not be carried
on.
§ 147. Moreover, it must be remembered that though we may
thns regard the closed valves as so to speak the determining cause
of the dicrotic wave, the wave itself is an oscillation of the arterial
walls, and the remarks made a little while back concerning the
inertia of the walls hold good for this explanation also. Hence
the conditions which determine the prominence or otherwise of
the dicrotic wave, are conditions relating to the elasticity of the
arterial walls, and to the circumstances which call that elasticity
into play. For instance, the dicrotic wave is less marked in rigid
arteries (such as those of old people) than in healthy elastic ones ;
the rigid wall neither expands so readily nor shrinks so readily,
and hence does not so readily give rise to secondary waves. Again,
the dicrotic wave is, other things being equal, more marked when
the mean arterial pressure is low than when it is high ; indeed, it
may be induced when absent, or increased when slightly marked,
by diminishing, in one way or another, the mean pressure. Now
when the pressure is high, the arteries are kept continually much
expanded, and are therefore the less capable of further expansion,
that is to say, are, so far, more rigid. Hence the additional
expansion due to the systole is not very great ; there is a less
tendency for the arterial walls to swing backwards and forwards,
so to speak, and hence a less tendency to the development of
secondary waves. When the mean pressure is low, the opposite
state of things exists ; supposing, of course, that the ventricular
stroke is adequately vigorous (the low pressure being due, not to a
diminished cardiac stroke, but to diminished peripheral resistance),
the relatively empty but highly distensible artery is rapidly
expanded, and, falling rapidly back, enters upon a secondary
(dicrotic) expansion, and may even exhibit a third.
Moreover, the same principles may be applied to explain why
sometimes dicrotism will appear marked in a particular artery
while it remains little marked in the rest of the system. In
experimenting with an artificial tubing such as the arterial model,
the physical characters of which remain the same throughout,
both the primary and the secondary waves retain the same
characters as they travel along the tubing, save only that both
gradually diminish towards the periphery ; and in the natural
circulation, when the vascular conditions are fairly uniform
throughout, the pulse-curve, as a rule, possesses the same general
characters throughout, save that it is gradually ' damped off.'
But suppose we were to substitute for the first section of the
tubing a piece of perfectly rigid tubing ; this at the stroke of the
pump, on account of its being rigid, would shew neither primary
nor secondary expansion, but the expanding force of the pump's
stroke would be transmitted throuQ-h it to the second, elastic
286 THE DICEOTIC WAVE. [Book i.
section, and heie the primary and secondary waves would at once
become evident This is an extreme case, but the same thing
would be seen to a less degree in passing from a more rigid, that
is, less extensible and elastic section, to a less rigid, more exten-
sible and elastic section ; the primary and secondary expansions,
in spite of the general damping effect, would suddenly increase.
Similarly in the living body a pulse-curve which so long as it is
travelling along arteries in which the mean pressure is high, and
which are therefore practically somewhat rigid, is not markedly
dicrotic, may become very markedly dicrotic when it comes to a
particular artery, in which the mean pressure is low (we shall see
presently that such a case may occur), and the walls of which
are therefore for the time being relatively more distensible than
the rest.
Lastly, we may recall the observation made about § 141 that
the curve of expansion of an elastic tube is modified by the pres-
sure exerted by the lever employed to record it, and that hence,
in the same artery, and with the same instrument, the size, form,
and even the special features of the curve vary according to the
amount of pressure with which the lever is pressed upon the
artery. Accordingly the amount of dicrotism apparent in a pulse
may be modified by the pressure exerted by the lever. In Fig. 62,
for instance, the dicrotic wave is more evident in the middle than
in the upper tracing.
§ 148. Concerning the other secondary waves on the pulse-
curve, such as that which has been called the ' predicrotic ' wave {B
on Fig. 64 and on some of the other pulse-curves), it will not be
desirable to say much here. They have been the occasion of much
discussion, especially when considered under the view that the ven-
tricle rapidly emptied itself at the earlier part of the systole. We
will content ourselves with the following remark. The predicrotic
and the other secondary waves in question are, like the dicrotic
wave, propagated from the heart towards the periphery, they are
seen in sphygmograms taken from the root of the aorta as well as
from more peripheral arteries, and some are also seen in the curves
of ventricular pressure. Some of the features of these secondary
waves may be due to imperfections in the instruments used, to
inertia and the like, but the main features undoubtedly represent
events taking place in the vascular system itself. When we com-
pare the curve of pressure in the aorta with that in the ventricle,
we observe that up to the dicrotic notch, (in what may be called
the systolic part of the pulse-curve, the part which corresponds to
the systole of the ventricle, in contrast to the diastolic part which
follows and which includes the dicrotic wave), the variations seen
in the aortic curve, the secondary waves of which we are speaking,
are exactly reproduced in the ventricular curve. And it has, with
considerable reason, been urged that both in the aorta (and so in the
other arteries) and in the ventricle they are due to events taking
Chap. iv.J THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 287
place in the ventricle, the systole, for instance, not being equally
sustained.
We may furtlier call once to mind the fact to which we have
already called attention that, while sometimes the curve of ven-
tricular pressure reaches its maximum at the very beginning of
the systole, declining more or less slowly afterwards, at other times
the maximum is reached at the end of the systole, the curve of
pressure being anacrotic ; we may add that the maximum may
also occur at any intermediate point. Further, and this is the
matter to which we wish to call attention, the curve of aortic
pressure follows that of the ventricular pressure, both being kata-
crotic or anacrotic as the case may be. As we have urged, the
anacrotic curve is seen when the peripheral resistance is such that,
for some time during the systole, the flow from the aorta towards
the periphery is slower than the flow from the ventricle into the
aorta. Such a condition is apt to be met with when the arteries
are more rigid than normal, and under these circumstances the
anacrotic characters of the pulse may become prominent.
§ 149. Venous Pulse. Under certain circumstances the pulse
may be carried on from the arteries through the capillaries into the
veins. Thus, as we shall see later on, when the salivary gland is
actively secreting, the blood may issue from the gland through the
veins in a rapid, pulsating stream. The nervous events which give
rise to the secretion of saliva, lead at the same time, by the agency
of vaso-motor nerves, of which we shall presently speak, to a widen-
ing of the small arteries of the gland. When the gland is at rest,
the minute arteries are, as we shall see, somewhat constricted and
narrowed, and thus contribute largely to the peripheral resistance
in the part ; this peripheral resistance throws into action the
elastic properties of the small arteries leading to the gland, and
the remnant of the pulse reaching these arteries is, as we before
explained, finally destroyed. When the minute arteries are dilated,
their widened channels allow the blood to flow more easily through
them and with less friction ; the peripheral resistance which they
normally offer is thus lessened. In consequence of this, the elasti-
city of the walls of the small arteries is brought into play to a
less extent than before, and these small arteries cease to do their
share in destroying the pulse which comes down to them from the
larger arteries. As in the case of the artificial model, wiiere the
' peripheral ' tiibing is kept open, not enough elasticity is brought
into play to convert the intermittent arterial flow into a con-
tinuous one, and the pulse which reaches the arteries of the gland
passes on through them and through the capillaries, and is con-
tinued on into the veins. A similar venous pulse is also some-
times seen in other organs.
Careful tracings of the great veins in the neighbourhood of the
heart shew elevations and depressions, which appear due to the
variations of endocardiac pressure, and which may perhaps be
288 THE VENOUS PULSE. [Book i.
spoken of as constituting a ' venous pulse,' though they have
a quite different origin from the venous pulse just described
in the salivary gland. In such a pulse it is the depression of
the wave, not the elevation, which corresponds to the systole
of the ventricle, the pulse-wave is the negative of the arterial
pulse-wave ; the matter, however, needs further study. In cases
again of insufficiency of the tricuspid valves, the systole of the
ventricle makes itself distinctly felt in the great veins ; and an
expansion travelling backwards from the heart becomes very
visible in the veins of the neck. This, in which the elevation of
the wave like that of the arterial pulse-wave corresponds to the
ventricular systole, is also spoken of as a venous pulse.
Variations of pressure in the great veins due to the respiratory
movements are also sometimes spoken of as a venous pulse ; the
nature of these variations will be explained in treating of respi-
ration.
SEC. 5. THE EEGULATION AND ADAPTATION OF
THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
The Regulation of the Beat of the Heart.
§ 150. So far the facts with which we have had to deal, with
the exception of the heart's beat itself, have been simply physical
facts. All the essential phenomena which we have studied may
be reproduced on a dead model. Such an unvarying mechanical
vascular system would, however, be useless to a living body whose
actions were at all complicated. The prominent feature of a living
mechanism is the power of adapting itself to changes in its in-
ternal and external circumstances. In such a system as we have
sketched above there would be but scanty power of adaptation.
The well-constructed machine might work with beautiful regu-
larity ; but its regularity would be its destruction. The same
quantity of blood would always flow in the same steady stream
through each and every tissue and organ, irrespective of local and
general wants. The brain and the stomach, whether at work and
needing much, or at rest and needing little, would receive their
ration of blood, allotted with a pernicious monotony. Just the
same amount of blood would pass through the skin on the hottest
as on the coldest day. The canon of the life of every part for the
whole period of its existence would be furnished by the inborn
diameter of its blood vessels, and by the unvarying motive power
of the heart.
Such a rigid system, however, does not exist in actual living
beings. The vascular mechanism in all animals in which it is
present is capable of local and general modifications, adapting it
to local and general changes of circumstance. These modifications
fall into two great classes :
1. Changes in the heart's beat. These, being central, have, of
course, a general effect; they influence or may influence the whole
body.
]9
290 HISTOLOGY OE THE HEART. [Book i.
2. Changes in the peripheral resistance, due to variations in
the calibre of the minute arteries, brought about by the agency of
their contractile muscular coats. These changes may be either
local, affecting a particular vascular area only, or general, affecting
all or nearly all the blood vessels of the body.
These two classes of events are chieiiy governed by the
nervous system. It is by means of the nervous system that the
heart's beat and the calibre of the minute arteries are brought
into relation with each other, and with almost every part of the
body. It is by means of the nervous system acting either on the
heart, or on the small arteries, or on both, that a change of
circumstances affecting either the whole or a part of the body is
met by compensating or regulative changes in the flow of blood.
It is by means of the nervous system that the tide of blood
through the skin rises and ebbs with the rise and fall of the
temperature of the air, that the work of the heart is tempered
to meet the strain of overfull arteries, and that the arterial
gates open and shut as the force of the central pump waxes
and wanes. And though, as we shall see, it is not clear that the
central nervous system always intervenes in order that an organ
may have a more full supply of blood when at work than when
at rest, it undoubtedly does so in some cases. The study of these
changes becomes, therefore, to a large extent a study of nervous
actions.
The circulation may also be modified by events not belonging
to either of the above two classes. Thus, in this or that peripheral
area, changes in the capillary walls and the walls of the minute
arteries and veins may lead to an increase of the tendency of the
blood corpuscles to adhere to the vascular walls, and so, quite
apart from any change in the calibre of the blood vessels, may
lead to increase of the peripheral resistance. This is seen in an
extreme case in inflammation, but may possibly intervene to a less
extent in the ordinary condition of the circulation, and may also
be under the influence of the nervous system. Further, any
decided change in the quantity of blood actually in circulation
must also influence the working of the vascular mechanism. But
both these changes are unimportant compared with the other two
kinds of changes. Hence, the two most important problems for
us to study are, 1, how the nervous system regulates the beat of
the heart, and 2, how the nervous system regulates the calibre of
the blood vessels. We will first consider the former problem.
The Histology of the Heart.
§ 151. It will be necessary now to take up certain points
concerning the minute structure of the heart, which we had
previously postponed ; and since much of our knowledge of the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 291
nervous mechanism of the beat of the heart is derived from ex-
periments on the hearts of cold blooded animals, more particularly
of the frofT, it will be desirable to consider these as well as the
mammalian heart.
Cardiac Muscular Tissue. The ventricle of the frog's heart is
composed of minute, spindle-shaped tibres or fibre cells, each
containing a nucleus in its middle, and tapering to a point at each
end , sometimes, however, the end is forked or even branched.
These fibres or fibre cells, in fact, resemble plain muscular fibres
save that they are somewhat larger and that their substance is
striated. The striation is due, like the striation of a skeletal
muscle fibre, to alternate dim and bright bands, but is rarely so
distinct as in a skeletal fibre ; it is very apt to be obscured by
the presence of dispersed discrete granules, which, in many cases,
at all events, are of a fatty nature. Like the plain muscular
fibre, the cardiac muscular fibre has no distinct sarcolemma.
A number of these fibres are joined by cement substance into
small bundles, and these bundles are, by help of connective tissue
which carries no blood vessels, woven into an intricate network or
sponge work, which forms the greater part of the wall of the
ventricle. Immediately under the pericardial coating, consisting
of a layer of epithelioid plates resting on a connective tissue
basis, the muscular tissue forms a thin, continuous sheet, but
within this it spreads out into a sponge work, the meshes of which
present a labyrinth of passages continuous with the cavity of the
ventricle. The bars of this sponge work, varying in thickness
and, though apparently irregular, arranged on a definite system,
consist of bundles of muscular fibres united by connective tissue,
and are coated with the same endocardial membrane (flat epithelioid
plates resting on a connective tissue basis) that lines the cavity of
the ventricle, and, indeed, the whole interior of the heart. The
cavity of the ventricle, in other words, opens out into a labyrinth
of passages reaching nearly to the surface of the ventricle. When
the ventricle is relaxed, blood flows freely into and fills this
labyrinth, bathing the bars of the sponge work, which, in the
absence of capillaries, depend on this blood for their nourish-
ment. When the ventricle contracts, the blood is driven out of
this labyrinth as well as out of the central cavity. Hence the
ventricle when dilated and full of blood is of a deep red colour,
when contracted and empty is extremely pale, having little more
than the colour of the muscular fibres themselves, which, like
striated fibres, possess in their own substance a certain amount of
haemoglobin or of myolu\nnatin.
The much thinner walls of the auricle consist of a much thinner
network of similar fibres, united by a relatively larger quantity of
connective tissue into a thin sheet, with the pericardial mem-
brane on the outside and the endocardial membrane on the inside.
The fibres have in the auricle a much greater tendency to be
292 CARDIAC MUSCULAR TISSUE. [Book i.
branched, and many, ceasing to be spindle-shaped, become almost
stellate. Among the obscurely striated, but still striated fibres, are
found ordinary, plain muscular fibres, which increase in relative
number along the roots of the veins, venae cavse and pulmonales,
until at some little distance from the heart plain muscular fibres
only are found. Blood vessels are absent from the walls of the
auricles also.
In the bulbus arteriosus, mixed up with much connective
and elastic tissue, are found fusiform fibres which close to the
ventricle are striated and form a thick layer, but at a certain
distance from the ventricle lose their striation, or rather become
mixed with plain muscular fibres, and form a thinner layer.
§ 152. In the mammal, both the ventricles and the auricles
are formed of bundles of muscular tissue, bound together by con-
nective tissue, and arranged more especially in the ventricles in
a very complex system of sheets or bands disposed as spirals, and
in other ways, the details of which need not detain us. In the
auricular appendices, and elsewhere, the bundles form irregular
networks projecting into the cavities.
The connective tissue binding the muscular fibres together,
unlike the corresponding connective tissue in the frog's heart, is
well supplied with blood vessels belonging to the coronary system.
This connective tissue forms on the inner surface of the cavities a
continuous sheet, the connective tissue basis of the flat epithelioid
cells of the endocardium, and on the outside of the heart the
visceral layer of the pericardium.
The histological unit of these muscular bundles is neither a
fibre nor a fusiform fibre cell, but a more or less columnar or
prismatic nucleated cell generally provided with one or more
short broad processes. The nucleus, which is oval and in general
resembles one of the nuclei of a striated fibre, is placed at about
the middle of the cell with its long axis in the line of the long
diameter of the cell. The cell-body, which is not bounded by any
definite sarcolemma, is striated, though obscurely so, across the
long diameter of the cell, the striations as in a skeletal muscle
fibre being due to the alternation of dim and bright bands. As in
the frog's heart granules are frequently abundant, obscuring the
striation, which, indeed, even in the absence of granules is never so
distinct as in the fibres of skeletal muscles. Such a cell is at each
end joined by cement substance to similar cells, and a row of such
cells constitutes a cardiac elementary fibre. Hence a cardiac fibre
is a fibre striated, but without sarcolemma, and divided by parti-
tions of cement substance into somewhat elongated divisions or
cells, each containing a nucleus. Many of the cells in a fibre have
a short, broad, lateral process. Such a process is united by cement
substance to a similar process of a cell belonging to an adjoining
fibre ; and by the union of a number of these processes, a number
of fibres lying side by side are formed into a somewhat close
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 293
network. Each bundle of the cardiac muscular tissue is thus
itself a network. These bundles are further woven into networks
by connective tissue in which run capillaries and larger blood
vessels ; and sheets or bundles composed of such networks are
arranged, as we have said, in a complex manner both in the
auricle and ventricle Hence, the muscular substance of the
mammalian heart is, at bottom, an exceedingly complex network,
the element of which is a somewhat branched nucleated striated
cell. It may be remarked that the ' musculi pectinati ' of the
auricle and the ' columnie carnepe ' of the ventricle suggest the
origin of the mammalian heart from a muscular labyrinth like that
of the frog's ventricle.
At the commencement of the great arteries this peculiar
cardiac muscular tissue ceases abruptly, being replaced by the
ordinary structures of an artery, but the striated muscular fibres
of the auricle may be traced for some distance along both the
vena3 cavpe and venae pulmonales.
Under the endocardium are frequently present ordinary plain
muscular fibres, and in some cases peculiar cells are found in this
situation, the cells of Purkinjd, which are interesting morpho-
logically, because the inner part of the cell round the nucleus is
unstriated, undifferentiated material while the outside is striated
substance. Plain muscular fibres are said also to spread from the
endocardium for a certain distance into the auriculo-ventricular
valves.
§ 153. The Nerves of the Heart. The distribution of nerves
in the heart varies a good deal in different vertebrate animals, but
nevertheless a general plan may be more or less distinctly
recognised. The vertebrate heart may be regarded as a muscular
tube (a single tube, if for the moment we disregard the complexity
of a double circulation occurring in the higher animals) divided
into a series of chambers, sinus venosus (or junction of great
veins), auricle, ventricle and bulbus (or conus) arteriosus. The
nerves as a rule enter the heart at the venous end of this tube, at
the sinus venosus, and pass on towards the arterial end, diminish-
ing in amount as they proceed, and disappearing at the aorta.
Connected with the nerve fibres thus passing to the heart are
groups, smaller or greater, of nerve cells. These, like the nerve
fibres, are most abundant at the venous end (appearing on the
nerve branches before these actually reach the heart), as a rule
become fewer towards the arterial end, and finally disappear, so
that (according to most observers) at the bulbus (conus) arteriosus
they are entirely absent.
These collections of nerve cells or ganglia may be arranged in
groups according to their position. In many lower vertebrates
there is a distinct ring or collar of ganglia at the junction of the
sinus venosus with the auricle, where the primitive circular
disposition of muscular fibres is maintained ; and there is a
294 THE NEEVES OF THE HEART. [Book i.
similar ganglionic collar at the junction of the auricle with the
ventricle, where also there is similarly retained a circular dis-
position of the muscular fibres forming the so-called canahs auri-
cularis. And, indeed, in all vertebrates two similar collections of
ganglia are more or less distinctly present. There are ganglia
at the junction of the sinus with the auricle and along the
entering nerve branches ; these may be called the sinus ganglia.
There are other ganglia at the junction of the auricle and ven-
tricle ; these may be called the auriculo-ventricular ganglia.
Besides these two groups there are also ganglia over the auricle
in connection with nerves passing from the sinus to the ventricle.
Lastly, as a general rule the main nerve branches and the
ganglia are not plunged deep in the substance of the heart, but
are placed superficially, immediately under the pericardial layer.
From the cells and nerves so situated finer branches and fibres
pass to the substance of the heart.
Bearing this general plan in mind we may now turn to the
special arrangements which obtain in the frog and in the
mammal.
In the Frog. The only nerves going to the heart are the two
vagus nerves, right and left, which may be seen running along the
two superior vense cavse, but become lost to view at the sinus where
they pass from the surface to deeper parts. Each vagus is not,
however, simply a vagus nerve, but, as we shall see, contains fibres
derived from the sympathetic system. As the nerves approach
the sinus, groups of nerve cells become abundant in connection
with the fibres, and as the fibres spread out at the sinus many
ganglia are scattered among them, forming what is called as a
whole the sinus ganglion or the ganglion of Remak.
From the sinus the two vagus nerves, leaving their position
under the pericardium, plunge into the heart and run along the
septum between the auricles, on the left side of the septum, one,
the anterior nerve, passing nearer the front of the heart than the
other, the posterior. Several groups of cells, or small ganglia,
are connected with the two ' septal ' nerves thus passing along the
septum.
The nerves, reaching the auriculo-ventricular ring on the an-
terior side of the heart, end in two ganglia lying at the base of the
two large auriculo-ventricular valves.
From these two ganglia, Bidder's ganglia- or the auriculo-
ventricular ganglia, nerve fibres pass into the substance of the
ventricle. Nerve cells may be traced on the fibres going to the
ventricle for some little distance, but for a little distance only ;
over the greater part of the ventricle, the lower two-thirds for
instance, the nerve fibres are free from nerve cells.
Thus in the frog there are two main ganglia, sinus or Eemak's
ganglion, auriculo-ventricular or Bidder's ganglia. From the
former there pass on the one hand scattered fibres, in connection
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 295
with which are small groups of cells, to the auricular walls, and to
the sinus walls, and on the other hand the two main nerves
running along the septum, in connection with which are small
ganglia, which may be called ' septal ' ganglia. From the latter,
Bidder's ganglia, filjres unaccompanied except for a short distance
by nerve cells, pass to the substance of the ventricle, and possibly
to the bulbus arteriosus.
The fibres forming the vagus nerves as they run along the
superior vense cav?e are composed of medullated and non-medul-
lated fibres, the latter being chiefly if not wholly derived from the
sympathetic system. Many of the medullated fibres lose their
medulla in Remak's gan^rlion, for non-medullated fibres are found
DO '
in much larger proportion in the septal nerves, running to
Bidder's ganglia ; the fine fibres which pass from Bidder's ganglia .
to the substance of the ventricle are exclusively non-medullated
fibres. The nerve cells in the sinus ganglia and along the ends of
the vagus nerves, as well as some of the cells of the ganglia
scattered over the septum, are of the kind previously (§ 98)
described as spiral cells. The cells composing Bidder's ganglia,
as well as many of the cells in the septum, are said to be bipolar
and fusiform.
In the mammal, the nerves going to the heart are derived on
the one hand from the vagus and on the other hand from the
sympathetic chain. Thus in man the upper, middle and lower
cervical ganglia (or the cord between them) give off the upper
lower and middle sympathetic cardiac nerves respectively, while
the trunk of the vagus gives off cervical cardiac branches in the
neck and thoracic branches in the thorax ; the recurrent laryngeal
also gives off branches especially on the left side, and there is as
well a cardiac branch of the external division of the superior
laryngeal. The nerves from these two sources, vagal and sym-
pathetic, form near the roots of the aorta and pulmonary artery,
the cardiac plexuses, superficial and deep, the two sources
mingling largely here and also, to a certain extent, before the
plexuses are reached. From the plexuses fibres are given off to all
parts of the heart, venie cavte, pulmonary veins, auricles and ventri-
cles, a large number of the fibres destined for the latter forming
the coronary plexuses around the coronary arteries ; some of the
fibres pass to the walls of the aorta and pulmonary artery. In
other mammals we find the same double supply reaching the
heart by means of the cardiac plexuses, the details differing in
different animals ; we shall give, later on, some details concerning
the dog, since much of our knowledge of the nervous working
of the mammalian heart has been gained by experiments on this
animal. Ganglia are abundant on the superior vena cava and are
also found on the pulmonary veins, in the walls of the auricles,
in the auriculo-ventricular groove and in the basal portion of
the ventricles ; further, according to some observers, in contrast to
296 THE NERVES OF THE HEART. [Book i.
the frog's heart, a number of small ganglia may be observed over
a large part of the ventricle far down towards the apex. The
auricular septum, at least in its central parts, is said to be free
from ganglia. The nerves and ganglia lie for the most part
superficial immediately under the pericardium.
The fibres passing to the heart are, as in the frog, both
medullated and non-medullated Some of the medullated fibres
are of fine calibre, may be traced back to the vagus, and appear to
be fibres of which we shall speak presently as inhibitory. Others
of the medullated fibres are of larger calibre, and some of these, at
all events, appear to be sensory or at least afferent in function.
Of the non-medullated fibres, some may be traced back along the
cardiac nerves to the sympathetic system ; of these some again
are of the kind we shall speak of as augmenting, Though, as in
the frog, the proportion of non-medullated to medullated fibres
increases peripherally, yet in contrast to the frog many of the
fibres in the ventricle (where they lie close under the peri-
cardium), are medullated ; it is probable that these are afferent
fibres.
The cells forming the various ganglia scattered over the
mammalian heart may perhaps be classed as unipolar, and
multipolar, the former being especially connected with medullated
fibres, the one class being prominent in one situation, the other in
another.
The Development of the Normal Beat.
§ 154. The heart of a mammal oi of a warm blooded animal
generally ceases to beat within a few minutes after being removed
from the body in the ordinary way, the hearts of newly-born
animals continuing, however, to beat for a longer time than those
of adults. Hence, though by special precautions and by means of
an artificial circulation of blood, an isolated mammalian heart may
be preserved in a pulsating condition for a much longer time, our
knowledse of the exact nature and of the causes of the cardiac
beat is as yet very largely based on the study of the hearts of
cold blooded animals, which will continue to beat for hours, or,
under favourable circumstances, even for days, after they have
been removed from the body with only ordinary care. We have
reason to think that the mechanism by which the beat is carried
on varies in some of its secondary features in different kinds of
animals : that the hearts, for instance, of the eel, the snake, the
tortoise and the frog, differ in some minor details of behaviour,
both from each other and from those of the bird and of the mammal ;
but we may, at first at all events, take the heart of the frog as
illustrating the main and important truths concerning the causes
and mechanism of the beat.
Chap. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 297
In studying closely the phenomena of the beat of the heart it becomes
necessary to obtain a graphic record of the A'arious movements.
1. In the frog, or other cold blooded animal, a light lever may be
placed directly on the ventricle (or on an auricle, &c.), and changes of
form, due either to distension by the influx of blood, or to the systole,
will cause movements of the lover, which may be recorded on a travel-
ling surface. The same method as we have seen may be applied to the
mammalian heart.
2. Or, as in Gaskell's method, the heart may be fixed by a clamp
carefully adjusted round the auriculo-ventricular groove, while the apex
of the ventricle and some portion of one auricle are attached by threads
to horizontal levers, placed respectively above and below the heart.
The auricle and the ventricle each in its systole pulls at the lever
attached to it ; and the times and extent of the contractions may thus
be recorded. Or the thread may be attached to the apex of the ven-
tricle only, the heart being fixed by the aorta or left in position in the
body.
3. A record of endo-cardiac pressure may be taken in the frog or
tortoise, as in the mammal, by means of an appropriate manometer.
And in these animals, at all events, it is easy to keep up an artificial
circulation. A cannula is introduced into the sinus venosus, and another
into the ventricle through the aorta. Serum or dilute blood (or any
other fluid which it may be desired to employ) is driven by moderate
pressure through the former ; to the latter is attached a tube connected
by means of a side piece with a small mercury or other manometer. So
long as the exit-tube is open at the end, fluid flows freely through the
heart and apparatus. Upon closing the exit-tube at its far end, the
force of the ventricular systole is brought to bear on the manometer,
the index of which registers in the usual way. Newell Martin has
succeeded in applying a modification of this method to
the mammalian heart.
4. The movements of the ventricle may be regis-
tered by introducing into it, through the auriculo-
ventricular orifice, a so-called ' perfusion ' cannula, Figs.
67 and 68 1., with a double tube, one inside the other,
and tying the ventricle on to the cannula at the
auriculo-ventricular groove, or at any level below that
which may be desired. The blood or other fluid is
driven at an adequate pressure through the- tube a,
enters the ventricle, and returns by the tube h. If b
be connected with a manometer, as in method 3, the
movements of the ventricle may be registered. j-j^ ,-,- j^ p^.^.
FLSiox Cannula.
5. In the apparatus of Eoy, Fig. 68 II., the exit-
tube is free, but the ventricle (the same method may be adojited for the
whole heart) is placed in an air-tight chamber, filled with oil, or partly
with normal salijie solution and partly with oil. By means of the tube
h the interior of the chamber a is continuous with that of a small cylinder
c, in which a piston d, secured by thin, flexible, animal membrane, works
298
GRAPHIC EECORD OF HEART BEAT. [Book i.
up and down. The piston again bears on a lever e by means of which
its movements may be registered. When the ventricle contracts, and
by contracting diminishes in volume, there is a lessening of pressure in
Fig. 68. Purely diagrammatic figures of
I. Perfusion cannula tied into frog's ventricle, a, entrance, h, exit-tube ; a, wall
of ventricle ; )3, ligature,
II. Roy's apparatus modified by Gaskell. a, chamber filled with saline solution
and oil, containing the ventricle a tied on to the profusion cannula/; h, tube leading
to cylinder c, in which moves piston d, working the lever e.
the interior of the chamber ; this is transmitted to the cylinder, and
the piston correspondingly rises, carrying with it the lever. As the
ventricle subsequently becomes distended, the pressure in the chamber
is increased, and the piston and lever sink. In this way variations in
the volume of the ventricle may be recorded, without any great inter-
ference with the flow of blood or fluid through it.
The heart of the frog, as we have just said, will contiime to
beat for hours after removal from the body, even though the cavi-
ties have been cleared of blood, and, indeed, when they are almost
empty of all fluid. The beats thus carried out are in all import-
ant respects identical with the beats executed by the heart in its
normal condition within the living body. Hence we may infer
that the beat of the heart is an automatic action : the muscular
contractions which constitute the beat are due to causes which
arise spontaneously in the heart itself.
In the frog's heart, as in that of the mammal, § 126, there is a
distinct sequence of events which is the same whether the heart be
removed from, or be still in its normal condition within the body.
First comes the beat of the sinus venosus, preceded by a more or
less peristaltic contraction of the large veins leading into it ; next
follows the sharp beat of the two auricles together ; then comes the
longer beat of the ventricle ; and lastly the cycle is completed by the
Chap. ly.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 290
beat of the biilbus arteriosus, which does not, like the mamraaliaQ
aorta, simply recoil by elastic reaction after distension by the
ventricular stroke, but carries out a distinct muscular contraction
passing in a wave from the ventricle outwards.
When the heart in dying ceases to beat, the several movements
cease, as a rule, in an order the inverse of the above. Omitting
the bulbus arteriosus, which sometimes exhibits great rhythmical
power, we may say that first the ventricle fails, then the auricles
fail, and lastly the sinus venosus fails.
The heart, after it has ceased to beat spontaneously, remains
for some time irritable, that is, capable of executing a beat, or
a short series of beats, when stimulated either mechanically, as
by touching it with a blunt needle, or electrically, by an induction
shock or in other ways. The artificial beat so called forth may
be in its main features identical with the natural beat, all the
divisions of the heart taking part in the beat, and the sequence of
events being the same as in the natural beat. Thus, when the
sinus is pricked, the beat of the sinus may be followed by a beat
of the auricles and of the ventricle ; and even when the ventricle
is stimulated, the directly following beat of the ventricle may be
succeeded by a complete beat of the whole heart.
Under certain circumstances, however, the division directly
stimulated is the only one to beat ; when the ventricle is pricked,
for instance, it alone may beat, or when the sinus is pricked it
alone may beat. The results of stimulation, moreover, may differ
according to the condition of the heart, and according to the
particular spot to which the stimulus is applied.
With an increasing loss of irritability, the response to stimula-
tion ceases in the several divisions in the same order as that of the
failure of the natural beat ; the ventricle ceases to respond first,
then the auricles, and lastly the sinus venosus, which frequently
responds to stimulation long after the other divisions have ceased
to make any sign.
It would appear as if the sinus venosus, auricles, and ventricle
formed a descending series in respect to their irritability, and to
the power they possess of carrying on spontaneous rhythmic beats,
the sinus being the most potent. This is also seen in the following
experiments.
In order that the frog's heart may beat after removal from the
body with the nearest approach in rapidity, regularity, and endur-
ance to the normal condition, the removal must be carried out so
that the excised heart still retains the sinus venosus intact.
When the incision is carried through the auricles so as to leave
the sinus venosus behind in the body, the result is different. The
sinus venosus beats forcibly and regularly, having suffered hardly
any interruption from the operation. The excised heart, however,
remains, in the majority of cases, for some time motionless.
Stimulated by a prick or an induction shock, it will give perhaps
300 ANALYSIS OF HEART BEAT. [Book i.
one, two, or several beats, and then comes to rest. In the majority
of cases, however, the animal having previously been in a vigorous
condition, it will, after a while, recommence its spontaneous beat-
ing, the systole of the ventricle following that of the auricles ;
but the rhythm of beat will not be the same as that of the sinus
venosus left in the body : it will be slower, and the beats will not
continue to go on for so long a time as will those of a heart still
retaining the sinus venosus.
When the incision is carried through the auriculo-ventricular
groove, so as to leave the auricles and sinus venosus within the
body, and to isolate the ventricle only, the results are similar but
more marked. The sinus and auricles beat regularly and vigor-
ously, with their proper sequence, but the ventricle, after a few
rapid contractions due to the incision acting as a stimulus, generally
remains for a long time quiescent. When stimulated, however, the
ventricle will give one, two, or several beats, and after a while, in
many cases at least, will eventually set up a spontaneous pulsation
with an independent rhythm ; and this may last for some consider-
able time, but the beats are not so regular and will not go on for
so long a time as will those of a ventricle to which the auricles
are still attached.
If a transverse incision be carried through the ventricle at
about its upper third, leaving the base of the ventricle still
attached to the auricles, the portion of the heart left in the body
will go on pulsating regularly, with the ordinary sequence of
sinus, auricles, ventricle, but the isolated lower two-thirds of the
ventricle will not beat spontaneously at all, however long it be
left. Moreover, in response to a single stimulus, such as an in-
duction shock or a gentle prick, it gives, not as in the case of the
entire ventricle when stimulated at the base or of the ventricle to
which the auricles are attached, a series of beats, but a single beat.
Lastly, to complete the story, we may add that when the heart
is bisected longitudinally, each half continues to beat spon-
taneously, with an independent rhythm, so that the beats of the
two halves are not necessarily synchronous ; and this continuance
of spontaneous pulsations after longitudinal bisection may be seen
in the conjoined auricles and ventricle, or in the isolated auricles,
or in the isolated ventricle. Moreover, the sinus or the auricles
may be divided in many ways and yet many of the segments
will continue beating ; small pieces even may be seen under
the microscope pulsating, feebly, it is true, but distinctly and
rhythmically.
In these experiments, then, the various parts of the frog's heart
also form, as regards the power of spontaneous pulsation, a descend-
ing series : sinus venosus, auricles, entire ventricle, lower portion
of ventricle, the last exhibiting under ordinary circumstances no
spontaneous pulsations at all.
§ 155. Now we have seen (§ 153) that these parts form,
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 301
to a certain extent, a similar descending series as regards the
presence of ganglia ; at least so far that the ganglia are very
numerous in the sinus venosus, that they occur in the auricles,
and that while Bidder's ganglia are present at the junction of
the ventricle with the auricles, ganglia are wholly absent from
the rest of the ventricle. Hence, on the assumption (which we
have already, § 100, seen reason to doubt) that the nerve cells
of ganglia are similar in general functions to the nerve cells of
the central nervous system, the view very naturally presents
itself that the rhythmic, spontaneous beat of the heart of the frog
is due to the spontaneous generation in the ganglionic nerve cells
of rhythmic motor impulses, which, passing down to the muscular
fibres of the several parts, causes rhythmic contractions of these
fibres, the sequence and coordination of the beating of the several
divisions of the heart being the result of a coordination between
the several ganglia in regard to the generation of impulses.
Under this view, the cardiac muscular fibre simply responds to the
motor impulses reaching it along its motor nerve fibre in the same
way as the skeletal muscular fibre responds to the motor impulses
reaching it along its motor nerve fibre ; in both cases the muscular
fibre is, as it were, a passive instrument in the hands of the motor
nerve, or rather of the nervous centre (ganglion or spinal cord)
from which the motor nerve proceeds. And the view, thus based
on the fact of the frog's heart, has been extended to the hearts of
(vertebrate) animals generally.
There are reasons, however, which shew that this view is not
tenable.
For instance, the lower two-thirds, or lower third, or even the
mere tip of the frog's ventricle, that is to say, parts which are
admitted not to contain nerve cells, may, by special means, be
induced to carry on for a considerable time a rhythmic beat, which
in its main features is identical with the spontaneous beat of the
ventricle of the intact heart. If such a part of the frog's ventricle
be tied on to the end of a perfusion cannula (Fig. 67), the portion
of the ventricular cavity belonging to the part may be adequately
distended, and the part may at the same time be 'fed' by making
a suitable fiuid, such as blood, to fiow through the cannula. It will
then be found that the portion of ventricle so treated will, after a
preliminary period of quiescence, commence to beat, apparently
spontaneously, and will continue so beating for a long period of
time. It may be said that in this case the distention of the
cavity and the supply of blood or other fiuid act as a stimulus ;
but if so the stimulus is a continuous one, or at least not a
rhythmic one, and yet the beat is most regularly rhythmic.
Then again, the reluctance of the ventricle to execute spon-
taneous rhythmic beats is, to a certain extent, peculiar to the frog.
The ventricle of the tortoise, for instance, the greater part of the
substance of which is as free from nerve cells as is that of the
302 FEATURES OF CARDIAC CONTRACTION. [Book i.
frog, will beat spontaneously with great ease and for a long time
when isolated from the auricles. Further, a mere strip of this
ventricular muscular tissue if kept, gently extended and continually
moistened with blood or other suitable lluid, will continue to beat
spontaneously with very great regularity for hours or even days,
especially if the series be started by the preliminary application
of induction shocks rhythmically repeated.
In connection with this question we may call attention to the
fact that the cardiac muscular fibre is not wholly like the skeletal
muscular fibre ; in many respects the contraction or beat of the
former is in its very nature different from the contraction of the
latter ; the former cannot be considered, like the latter, a mere
instrument in the hands of the motor nerve fibre. The features
of the beat or contraction of cardiac muscle may be studied on
the isolated and quiescent ventricle, or part of the ventricle of the
frog. When such a ventricle is stimulated by a single stimulus,
such as a single induction shock or a single touch with a blunt
needle, a beat may or may not result. If it follows, it resembles,
in all its general features at least, a spontaneous beat. Between
the application of the stimulus and the first appearance of any
contraction is a very long, latent period, varying according to
circumstances, but in a vigorous, fresh frog's ventricle being about
•3 sec. The beat itself lasts a variable but considerable time,
rising slowly to a maximum and declining slowly again. Of
course when the beat of the whole ventricle is recorded by one
or other of the methods given in § 154, what the tracing really
shews is one of the results of the contraction of the cardiac
fibres, and gives, in an indirect manner only, the extent of the
contraction of the fibres themselves. We may, however, study in
a more direct way the contraction of a few fibres by taking a
slip of the ventricle (and for this purpose the tortoise is preferable
to the frog) and suspending it to a lever, after the fashion of a
muscle-nerve preparation. We then get upon stimulation a curve
of contraction, characterised by a long latent period, a slow, long-
continued rise, and a slow, long-continued fall, a contraction in
fact more like that of plain muscular tissue than of skeletal
muscular tissue. In the tortoise the contraction is particularly
long, the contraction of even the skeletal muscles being long in
that animal; it is less long, but still long in the frog, shorter
still, but yet long as compared with that of the skeletal muscles,
in the mammal.
The beat of the ventricle, then, is a single but relatively slow,
prolonged contraction wave sweeping over the peculiar cardiac
muscle-cell, passing from cell to cell along the fibre, from fibre to
fibre along the bundle, and from bundle to bundle over the
labyrinth of the ventricular walls.
Like the case of the skeletal muscle, this single contraction
is accompanied by an electric change, a current of action. The
CiiAP. IV.] THE VASCULAll MECHANISM. 303
intact ventricle at rest is, as we have already said (§ 66), isoelectric,
but each part just as it is entering into a state of contraction
becomes negative towards the rest. Hence when the electrodes of
a galvanometer are placed on two points ^, ^ of tlie surface
of the ventricle, a diphasic variation of the galvanometer needle
is seen when a beat, natural or excited, occurs. Supposing
that the wave of contraction reaches A first, this will become
negative towards the rest of the ventricle, including B, but when
the wave sometime afterwards reaches B, B will become negative
towards the rest of the ventricle, including A. Compare § 67.
Attempts have been made, by carefully observing the exact times
at which the several parts of the ventricle become negative, to
determine whether the contraction begins at one part before
another, at the base for instance before the apex ; but the results
as yet obtained are not decisive.
The beat of the auricles, that of the sinus venosus and that
of the bulbus arteriosus, are similar in their main features to that
of the ventricle, so that the whole beat may be considered to be
a wave of contraction sweeping through the heart from sinus to
bulbus ; but the arrangement of parts is such that this beat is
cut up into sections in such a way that the sinus, the auricles, the
ventricle, and the bulbus have each a beat, so to speak, to themselves.
In a normal state of things these several parts of the whole beat
follow each other in the sequence we have described, but under
abnormal conditions the sequence may be reversed, or one section
may beat while the others are at rest, or the several sections may
beat out of time with each other.
So far the description of the contraction which is the founda-
tion of the beat differs from that of a skeletal muscle in degree
only ; but now comes an important difference. When we stimulate
a skeletal muscle with a strong stimulus we get a large contraction,
when we apply a weak stimulus we get a small contraction ; within
certain limits (see § 79) the contraction is proportional to the
stimulus. This is not the case with the quiescent ventricle or
heart. When we apply a strong induction-shock we get a beat of
a certain strength ; if we now apply a weak shock we get either no
beat at all or quite as strong a beat as with a stronger stimulus.
That is to say, the magnitude of the beat depends on the condition
of the ventricle (or heart) and not on the magnitude of the stimulus.
If the stimulus can stir the ventricle up to beat at all, the beat is
the best which the ventricle can at the time accomplish ; the
stimulus produces either its maximum effect or none at all. It
would seem as if the stimulus does not produce a contraction in
the same way that it does wdien it is brought to bear on a skeletal
muscle, but rather stirs up the heart in such a way as to enable it
to execute a spontaneous bea.t which, without the extra stimulus,
it could not bring about. And we have reason to think that the
normal beat of the heart within the body is the maximum beat of
304 FEATUEES OF CAEDIAC CONTKACTION. [Book i.
which it is capable at the moment. This feature of the heart
beat is further illustrated by the fact that when a ventricle is
beating rhythmically either spontaneously, or as the result of
rhythmic stimulation, the kind of effect produced by a new
stimulus thrown in will depend upon the exact phase of the
cycle of the beat at which it is thrown in. If it is thrown in just
as a relaxation is taking place, a beat follows prematurely, before
the next beat would naturally follow, this premature beat being
obviously produced by the stimulus. But if it be thrown in just
as a contraction is beginning, no premature beat follows : the ven-
tricle does not seem to feel the stimulus at all. There is a period
during which the ventricle is insensible to stimuli, and that how-
ever strong ; this period is called the ' refractory ' period. (There
is it may be mentioned a similar refractory period in skeletal
muscle, but it is of exceedingly short duration). From this it
results that, when a succession of stimuli repeated at a certain rate
are sent into the ventricle, the number of beats does not correspond
to the number of stimuli, some of the stimuli falling in refractory
periods are ineffective and produce no beat. Hence, also, it is
difficult if not impossible to produce a real tetanus of the ventricle,
to fuse a number of beats into one. And there are other facts
tending to shew that the contraction of a cardiac muscular fibre,
even when induced by artificial stimulation, is of a peculiar nature,
and that the analogy with the contraction of a skeletal muscular
fibre, induced by motor impulses reaching it along its nerve, does
not hold good.
These and other considerations, taken together with the facts
already mentioned that portions of cardiac muscular tissue in
which no ganglionic cells can even with the best methods be dis-
covered, may in various animals be induced, either easily or with
difficulty, to execute rhythmic beats, which have all the appear-
ance of being spontaneous in nature, lead us to conclude that the
beat of the heart is not the result of rhythmic impulses proceeding
from the cells of the ganglia to passive muscular fibres, but is
mainly the result of changes taking place in the muscular tissue
itself. And here we may call attention to the peculiar histological
features of cardiac muscular tissue ; though so far differentiated
as to be striated, its cellular constitution and its ' protoplasmic '
features, including the obscurity of the striation, shew that the
differentiation is incomplete. Now one attribute of undifferen-
tiated primordial protoplasm is the power of spontaneous move-
ment.
The further questions, by virtue of what internal molecular
changes the cardiac tissue is thus endued with spontaneous
rhythmic activity? why the several parts, sinus, auricle, and
ventricle, are arranged in descending potency, so that the
cardiac cycle beginning with the sinus follows the course it does ;
why the contraction wave beginning at the sinus is broken up
Crap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM, 305
into sinus beat, auricle beat, ventricle beat instead of sweeping
over the whole heart as a continuous wave ? these and allied
questions touch problems concerning which our knowledge is at
present too imperfect to render any discussion profitable here.
We may, however, venture to say that the phenomenon in question
cannot be explained by an apjieal to the grosser features of the
arrangement of ganglia and nerves which we described in § 153.
§ 156. In the above we have dealt chiefly with the heart of
the cold blooded animal, but so far as we know the same general
conclusions hold good for the mammalian heart also. There is, it
is true, in the mammal, no prepotent sinus venosus, but as in the
frog the auricles are dominant, and their beat determines the beat
of the ventricles. Even more clearly than in the frog, however, the
ventricles, though they normally follow the auricles in their beat,
being initiated, as it were, by them, possess an independent
rhythmic power of their own. By a mechanical contrivance all
conduction of nervous or muscular impulses between the auricles
and ventricles may be abolished, though the blood may continue
to flow from the cavities of the former to those of the latter.
When this is done the ventricles go on beating rhythmically,
but at a rate which is quite independent of that of the auricular
beats. In one respect, however, the mammalian heart seems at
first sight quite different from the heart of the frog. In the
latter, muscular continuity is provided between the sinus venosus
and the auricles, between the auricles and the ventricle ; this
muscular continuity, it may be argued, is, without the aid of any
distinct nervous paths, sufficient for the propagation of the beat
along the several parts. In the mammalian heart the connective
tissue rings which separate the auricles from the ventricles seem
to form complete breaks in the muscular continuity between
the upper and lower chambers, and to necessitate nervous ties for
carrying on the beat from the former to the latter. But it
would appear that even in the highest mammals, the ring in
question is broken by bundles of muscular fibres passing between
the auricles and ventricles ; and it may be argued that these
afford sufficient muscular continuity to justify the view that
the beat of the mammalian heart is carried out in a manner
not essentially different from that which obtains in the frog or
the tortoise.
' We may now turn to the nervous mechanisms by which the
beat of the heart, thus arising spontaneously within the tissues of
the heart itself, is modified and regulated to meet the require-
ments of the rest of the body.
The Government of the Heart Beat hy the Nervous System.
§ 157. It will be convenient to begin with the heart of the
frog, which as we have seen is connected with the central nervous
20
306
INHIBITION OF THE BEAT.
[Book i.
system through, and therefore governed by, the two vagus nerves,
each of which though apparently a single nerve contains, as we
shall see, fibres of different origin and nature.
If while the beats of the heart of a frog are being carefully
registered an interrupted current of moderate strength be sent
through the vagus nerve, the heart is seen to stop beating. It
remains for a time in diastole, perfectly motionless and flaccid ;
all the muscular fibres of the several chambers are for the time
being in a state of relaxation. The heart has been inhihited by
the impulses descending the vagus from the part of the nerve
stimulated.
If the duration of the stimulation be short and the strength of
the current great, the standstill may continue after the current has
been shut off ; the beats, when they reappear, are generally at first
feeble and infrequent, but soon reach or even go beyond their
previous vigour and frequency. If the duration of the stimulation
be very long, the heart may recommence beating while the stimula-
tion is still going on, but the beats are feeble and infrequent
though gradually increasing in strength and frequency. The effect
of the stimulation is at its maximum at or soon after the com-
mencement of the application of the stimulus, gradually declining
afterwards ; but even at the end of a very prolonged stimulation
the beats may still be less in force or in frequency, or in both, than
they were before the nerve was stimulated, and on the removal of
the current may shew signs of recovery by an increase in force and
frequency. The effect is not produced instantaneously ; if on the
curve the point be exactly marked when the current is thrown
in, as at on Fig. 69, it will frequently be found that one beat at
Fig. 69. Inhibition of Fkog's Heart by stimulation of Vagus Nerve.
on marks the time at which the interrupted current was thrown into the vagus,
ojT' when it was shut off. The time marker below marks seconds. The beats were
registered by suspending the ventricle from a clamp attached to the aorta and
attaching a light lever to the tip of the ventricle.
least occurs after the current has passed into the nerve ; the
development of that beat has taken place before the impulses
descending the vagus have had time to affect the heart.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 307
The stimulus need not necessarily be the interrupted current ;
mechanical, chemical or thermal stimulation of the vagus will
also produce inhibition ; but in order to get a marked effect it is
desirable to make use of not a single nervous impulse but a series
of nervous impulses ; thus it is difficult to obtain any recognisable
result by employing a single induction shock of moderate intensity
only. As we shall see later on ' natural ' nervous impulses descend-
ing the vagus from the central nervous system, and started there,
by afferent impulses or otherwise, as parts of a reflex act, may
produce inhibition.
The stimulus may be applied to any part of the course of the
vagus from high up in the neck right down to the sinus ; indeed,
very marked results are obtained by applying the electrodes
directly to the sinus where as we have seen the two nerves plunge
into the substance of the heart. The stimulus may also be applied
to either vagus, though in the frog, and some other animals, one
vagus is sometimes more powerful than the other. Thus it not
unfrequently happens that even strong stimulation of the vagus on
one side produces no change of the rhythm, while even moderate
stimulation of the nerve on the other side of the neck brings the
heart to a standstill at once.
If during the inhibition the ventricle or other part of the heart
be stimulated directly, for instance mechanically by the prick of a
needle, a beat may follow ; that is to say, the impulses descending
the vagus, while inhibiting the spontaneous beats, have not wholly
abolished the actual irritability of the cardiac tissues.
With a current of even moderate intensity, such a current for
instance as would produce a marked tetanus of a muscle-nerve
preparation, the standstill is complete, that is to say, a certain
number of beats are entirely dropped ; but with a weak current
the inhibition is partial only, the heart does not stand absolutely
still but the beats are slowed, the intervals between them being
prolonged, or weakened only without much slowing, or both
slowed and weakened. Sometimes the slowing and sometimes
the weakening is the more conspicuous resvilt.
§ 158. It sometimes happens that, when in the frog the vagus
is stimulated in the neck, the effect is very different from that
just described ; for the beats are increased in frequency, though
they may be at first diminished in force. And, occasionally, the
beats are increased both in force and in frequency : the result
is augmentation, not inhibition. But this is due to the fact that
in the frog the vagus along the greater part of its course is a mixed
nerve and contains fibres other than those of the vagus proper.
If we examine the vagus nerve closely, tracing it up to the
brain, we find that just as the nerve has pierced the cranium,
just where it passes through the ganglion (GV, Fig. 70), certain
fibres pass into it from the sympathetic nerve of the neck, Sy, of
the further connections of which we shall speak presently.
308
AUGMENTATION OF THE BEAT.
[Book i.
This being the case, we may expect that we should get different
results according as we stimulated (1) the vagus in the cranium,
Fig.
70. Diagrammatic Representation of the course of Cardiac
AuGMEXTOR Fibres in the Frog.
Vr. roots of vagus (and ixth) nerve. GV. ganglion of same. Cr. line of cranial
wall. Vg. vagus trunk, ix. ninth, glosso-pharyngeal nerve. S.V.C. superior vena
cava. Sy. sympathetic nerve in neck. G.C. junction of sympathetic ganglion with
vagus ganglion, sending i.e. intracranial fibres passing to Gasserian ganglion. The
rest of the fibres pass along the vagus trunk. G^ sympathetic ganglion connected
with the first spinal nerve. G^^ sympathetic ganglion of the second spinal nerve.
.(4n.F. annulus of Vieussens. A s6. subclavian artery. Cr-™' sympathetic ganglion of
the third spinal nerve. ///. third spinal nerve, r.c. ramus communicans.
The course of the augmentor fibres is shewn by the thick black line. They may
be traced from the spinal cord by the anterior root of the third spinal nerve, through
the ramus communicans to the corresponding sympathetic ganglion G-^^^and thence
by the second ganglion G^^, the annulus of Vieussens, and the first ganglion G^ to
the cervical sympathetic Sy, and so by the vagus trunk to the superior vena cava
S.V.C.
before it was joined by the sympathetic, (2) the sympathetic fibres
before they join the vagus, and (3) the vagus trunk, containing both
the real vagus and the sympathetic fibres. What we have pre-
viously described are the ordinary results of stimulating the mixed
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 309
trunk, and these, as we have said, are not wholly constant, though,
usually and in the main, most distinct inhibitory results follow.
If we stimulate the sympathetic in the neck as at Sy, Fig. 70,
cutting the nerve below so as to block all impulses from passing
downwards, and only allow impulses to pass up to the vagus and
thence down the mixed vagus trunk to the heart, we get very
remarkable results. The beat of the heart instead of being inhib-
ited is augmented, the beats are increased either in frequency or in
force, or most generally both in frequency and in force. The effect
is perhaps best seen when the heart before stimulation is beating
slowly and feebly ; upon stimulation of the cervical sympathetic
the beats at once improve in vigour and frequency ; indeed, a heart
which for one reason or another has almost ceased to beat may,
by proper stimulation of the sympathetic, be called back into
vigorous activity.
If, on the other hand, we stimulate the vagus before it has been
joined by the sympathetic fibres (and to ensure the result not
being marred by any escape of the stimulating current on to the
syjupathetic fibres it is necessary to stimulate the vagus within the
cranium) we get pure and constant inhibitory results, the beats are
for a time wholly abolished, or are slowed, or are weakened, or are
both slowed and weakened.
Obviously, then, the heart of the frog is supplied through the
vagus by two sets of fibres coming from the central nervous system,
the one by the vagus proper and the other by the cervical sym-
pathetic nerve, and these two sets have opposite and antagonistic
effects upon the heart.
The one set, those belonging to the vagus proper, are inhibitory;
they weaken the systole and prolong the diastole, the effect with a
strong stimulation being complete, so that the heart is for a time
brought to a standstill. Sometimes the slowing, sometimes the
weakening is the more prominent. When the nerve and the heart
are in good condition, it needs only a slight stimulus, a weak
current, to produce a marked effect, and it may be mentioned that
the more vigorous the heart, the more rapidly it is beating, the
easier is it to bring about inhibition. Although, as we have said,
the effect is at its maximum soon after the beginning of stimula-
tion, a very prolonged inhibition may be produced by prolonged
stimulation ; indeed, by rhythmical stimulation of the vagus the
heart may be kept perfectly quiescent for a very long time and
yet beat vigorously upon the cessation of the stimulus. In other
words, the instruments of inhibition, that is, the fibres of the vagus
and the part or substance of the heart upon w^hich these act to
produce inhibition, wdiatever that part or substance may be, are
not readily exhausted. Further, the inhibition when it ceases is,
frequently at all events, followed by a period of reaction, during
which the heart for a while beats more vigorously and rapidly
than before. Indeed the total effect of stimulating the vagus
310 REFLEX INHIBITION IN EROG. [Book i.
fibres is not to exhaust the heart, but rather to strengthen it ; and
by repeated inhibitions carefully administered, a feebly beating
heart may be nursed into vigorous activity.
The other set, those joining the vagus from the sympathetic,
are 'augmentor' or 'accelerating' fibres; the latter name is the
more common but the former is more accurate, since the effect of
stimulating these fibres is to increase not only the rapidity but
the force of the beat ; not only is the diastole shortened but the
systole is strengthened, sometimes the one result and sometimes
the other being the more prominent. These augmentor fibres
need a somewhat strong stimulation to produce an effect, the time
required for the maximum effect to be produced is long, and the
effect, when produced, may be maintained for some time. A
slowly or weakly beating heart is more easily augmented than is a
strong one. Further, the augmentation is followed by a period of
reaction in which the beats are feebler, by a stage of exhaustion ;
and, indeed, by repeated stimulation of these sympathetic fibres a
fairly vigorous heart, especially a bloodless one, may be reduced
to a very feeble condition.
By watching the effects of stimulating the sympathetic nerve
at various points of its course we may trace these augmentor
fibres from their junction with the vagus down the short sympa-
thetic of the neck through the sympathetic ganglion connected
with the first spinal nerve, G^, Fig. 70, through one or both the
loops of the annulus of Vieussens, An. V, through the second
ganglion, connected with the second spinal nerve, G'^, to the third
ganglion connected with the third spinal nerve, G^^^, and thence
through the ramus communicans or visceral branch of that
ganglion, r.c, to the third spinal nerve, ///, by the anterior root
of which they reach the spinal cord.
§ 159. Both sets of fibres, then, may be traced to the central
nervous system ; and we find accordingly that the heart may be
inhibited or augmented by nervous impulses which are started in
the nervous system either by afferent impulses as part of a reflex
act or otherwise, and which pass to the heart by the inhibitory or
by the augmenting tract.
Thus if the spinal bulb or a particular part of the spinal bulb
which is specially connected with the vagus nerve be stimulated,
the heart is inhibited ; if, for instance, a needle be thrust into
this part the heart stands still. This nervous area may be
stirred to action, in a 'reflex' manner, by afferent impulses
reaching it from various parts of the body. Thus if the abdomen
of a frog be laid bare, and the intestine be struck sharply with the
handle of a scalpel, the heart will stand still in diastole with all
the phenomena of vagus inhibition. If the nervi mesenterici or
the connections of these nerves with the spinal cord be stimulated
with the interrupted current, cardiac inhibition is similarly pro-
duced. If in these two experiments both vagi are divided, or* the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 311
spinal bulb is destroyed, inhibition is not produced, however much
either the intestine or the mesenteric nerves be stimulated. This
shews that the phenomena are caused by impulses ascending
along the mesenteric nerves to the spinal bulb, and so affecting a
portion of that organ as to give rise by reflex action to impulses
which descend the vagus nerve or nerves as inhibitory impulses.
The portion of the spinal bulb thus mediating between the afferent
and efferent impulses may be spoken of as the cardio-inhihitory
centre. This centre may be thrown into activity, and so inhibition
produced, by afferent impulses reaching it along various nerves ;
by means of it reflex inhibition through one vagus may be brought
about by stimulation of the central end of the other.
And we have reason to think that in a similar manner
augmentor impulses are developed in the central nervous system
either as part of a reflex chain or otherwise.
§ 160. So far we have been dealing with the heart of the
frog, but the main facts which we have stated regarding inhi-
bition and augmentation of the heart beat apply also to other
vertebrate animals including mammals, and, indeed, we meet
similar phenomena in the hearts of invertebrate animals.
If in a mammal the heart be exposed to view by opening the
thorax, and the vagus nerve be stimulated in the neck, the heart
may be seen to stand still in diastole, with all the parts flaccid
and at rest. If the current employed be too weak, the result, as
in the frog, is not an actual arrest but a slowing or weakening of
the beats. By placing a light lever on the heart or by other
methods, a graphic record of the standstill, or of the slowing, of
the complete or incomplete inhibition may be obtained. The
result of stimulating the vagus is also well shewn on the blood
Fig. 71. Tracing, shewing the influence op Carbiac Inhibition on Blood
Pressure. From a EAiiinx.
.r the marks on the signal line when tlie cnrrent is thrown into, and // shnt off
from tlie vagus. The time murker below marks seconds, the heart, as is frequently
the case in the rabbit, beating very rapidly.
312 INHIBITION IN THE MAMMAL. [Book i.
pressure curve, the effect of complete cardiac inhibition on blood
pressure being most striking. If, while a tracing of arterial
pressure is being taken, the beat of the heart be suddenly
arrested by vagus stimulation, some such curve as that represented
in Fig. 71 will be obtained. It will be observed that two beats
follow the application of the current marked by the point a,
which corresponds to the signal x on the line below. Then for a
space of time no beats at all are seen, the next beat h taking
place almost immediately after the shutting off the current at y.
Immediately after the last beat following a, there is a sudden fall
of the blood pressure. At the pulse due to the last systole, the
arterial system is at its maximum of distention; forthwith the
elastic reaction of the arterial walls propels the blood forward into
the veins, and, there being no fresh fluid injected from the heart,
the fall of the mercury is unbroken, being rapid at first, but
slower afterwards, as the elastic force of the arterial walls is
more and more used up. With the returning beats the pressure
correspondingly rises in successive leaps until the normal mean
pressure is regained. The size of these returning leaps of the
mercury may seem disproportionately large, but it must be re-
membered that by far the greater part of the force of the first
few strokes of the heart is expended in distending the arterial
system, a small portion only of the blood which is ejected into the
arteries passing on into the veins. As the arterial pressure rises,
more and more blood passes at each beat through the capillaries,
and the rise of the pressure at each beat becomes less and less,
until at last the whole contents of the ventricle pass at each
stroke into the veins, and the mean arterial pressure is established.
To this it may be added, that, as we have seen, the force of the
individual beats may be somewhat greater after than before inhi-
bition. Besides, when the mercury manometer is used, the inertia
of the mercury tends to magnify the effects of the initial beats.
The above is an example of complete inhibition, of a total stand-
still for a while of the whole heart, such as may be obtained by
powerful stimulation of the vagus ; both auricles and ventricles
remain for a period free from all contractions ; and as the
previously existing arterial pressure drives the blood onward from
the arteries through the capillaries and veins towards the heart,
the cavities of the heart become distended with blood, especially
on the right side.
A weaker stimulation of the vagus produces an incomplete
inhibition, the heart continues to beat but with a different
rhythm and stroke, and by careful observation many interesting
features may be observed. If a record be obtained, by one or
other of the methods mentioned in § 131 or elsewhere, of the
behaviour of the auricles and ventricles respectively, it will be
observed that the inhibition tells much more on the auricles than
on the ventricles. The extent of the auricular contractions is
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 313
especially affected, more so than that of the ventricles, and it may
sometimes be observed that the auricles are brouf^ht to comyjlete
quiescence while the ventricles still continue to beat ; the latter
now exhibit that independent rhythm of wliich we spoke in § 15G.
In a somewhat similar manner the stimulation of the vagus, by
affecting the rhythm of the auricles more than that of the ventricles,
may lead to a want of coordination between the two, the especially
slowed auricles beating at one rate, the ventricles at another.
It is indeed maintained by some that the vagus acts directly on
the auricles only, the changes in the ventricles being of a secondary
nature, caused by the changes in the auricles.
When the output from the ventricles during vagus stimulation
is measured, by the cardiometer or otherwise, it is found, as might
be expected, that this is lessened. The diminution during a given
period may be due to the mere slowing of the beat ; but the
individual pulse volume is in some cases, at least, also lessened.
It may by the same method be observed that the quantity remain-
ing in the ventricle at the end of the systole is increased ; the
ventricle appears to expand more during diastole. Of the effects
thus produced on the circulation we shall speak later on.
We may now turn to some further details concerning the
course of these inhibitory fibres. They run in the trunk of the
vagus ; this is clear not only in the case of an animal like the
rabbit, in which the vagus runs separate from the cervical sym-
pathetic but also in the case of the dog, in which the two nerves
are more or less bound up together. Leaving the vagus by the
cardiac branches, they reach the cardiac tissues by the cardiac
plexuses. When we trace the fibres in the other direction to-
wards the central nervous system, we have to bear in mind that
the fibres which compose the trunk of the vagus have, as we shall
see in studying the central nervous system, two distinct central
origins. On the one hand, there are the fibres which are the
proper vagus fibres which, leaving the spinal bulb, pass through
i30th the jugular ganglion and trunk ganglion (Fig. 72 r. GJ.
G. Tr. Vg.). On the other hand, there are fibres which, belonging
to the spinal accessory nerve {Sp. Ac.) and to what we shall learn
to speak of as the bulbar division of that nerve, pass after leaving
the spinal bulb to the trunk ganglion of the vagus, and thence
form part of the vagus trunk. Now, it is these fibres of the spinal
accessory nerve and not the proper vagus fibres which supply the
inhibitory fibres to the heart. Thus, if the bulbar roots of the
spinal accessory be divided, those of the vagus proper being left
intact, the spinal accessory fibres in the vagus trunk degenerate,
and when this has taken place stimulation of the vagus fails to
produce the ordinary inhibitory effect.
Within the spinal bulb these inhibitory filtres are connected,
in the mammal as in the frog, with a cardio-inhibitory centre ; and
in the mammal as in the frog inhibition mav be brought about
314 AUGMENTOR FIBRES IN MAMMAL. [Book i.
not only by artificial stimulation of the vagus, but by stimulation
in a retiex manner or otherwise of the cardio-inhibitory centre.
Thus the fainting which often follows upon a blow on the stomach
is a repetition of the result mentioned a little while ago as obtained
on the frog by striking the stomach or stimulating the nervi
mesenterici. So also the fainting, complete or partial, which
accompanies severe pain or mental emotion, is an illustration of
cardiac inhibition by the vagus. These are familiar examples of
more or less complete inhibition ; but simple slowing or weakening
of the beat through the inhibitory mechanism is probably an
event of much more common occurrence. For instance, a rise of
general blood pressure, or, and perhaps more especially, a rise in
the blood pressure of the vessels of the brain, sets going inhibitory
impulses by which the work of the heart is lessened, and the high
blood pressure lowered, the dangers of a too high pressure being
thus averted. Again, the inhibition may be brought about in a
reflex manner by impulses started in the heart itself and ascending
to the central nervous system along afferent fibres which run in
the vagus trunk from the heart to the spinal bulb. In this way the
heart regulates its own action according to its condition and its
needs.
There is also some reason for thinking that, in some animals
at least, the central nervous system by means of the cardiac
inhibitory fibres keeps, as it were, a continual rein on the heart,
for, in the dog for example, section of both vagi causes a quickening
of the heart's beat. But we shall have to speak of these matters
more than once later on. Meanwhile we may turn to the augmentor
fibres.
So much of our knowledge of the nervous work of the heart and
especially of the action of the augmentor fibres has been gained by
experiments on dogs that it may be desirable to give a few details con-
cerning the nerves of the heart in this animal.
In the dog the vagus soon after it issues from its trunk ganglion
{G. Tr. Vg., Fig. 72) is joined by the sympathetic nerve proceeding from
the superior cervical ganglion, the two forming the vago-sympathetic
trunk. As this trunk enters the thorax, the sympathetic portion bears
a ganglion (S.G.) usually called the lower cervical ganglion. To this
ganglion there pass from the stellate ganglion (G.St.) of the thoracic
sympathetic chain, two nerves, one running ventral to, the other dorsal
to the subclavian artery, and thus forming with the two ganglia, the
annulus of Vieussens (An.V.).
A very large number of the cardiac nerves spring from the lower
cervical ganglion and from the vagus trunk lying in contact with it,
from the vagus trunk belovv this ganglion, from the annulus of Vieus-
sens, chiefly at least from the ventral limb, and sometimes from the
stellate ganglion. There are besides cardiac branches passing from
the vago-sympathetic trunk between the levels of the superior and
of the inferior cervical ganglia, cardiac branches of the recurrent
laryngeal, a cardiac branch of the superior laryngeal, and a long
Chap. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
315
Fig. 72. Diagrammatic Representation^ of the Cardial Inhibitort and
augmentor flbres in the dog.
fibres
The upper portion of the figure represents the inhibitory, the lower the auo-iueutor
316 AUGMENTOE FIBEES IN MAMMAL. [Book i.
r. Vg. roots of the vagus . r.Sp.Ac. roots of the spinal accessory ; both drawn
very diagrammatically. G.J. ganglion jugulare. G.Tr.Vg. ganglion trunci vagi.
Sp.Ac. spinal accessory trunk. Ext.Sp.Ac. external spinal accessory, i.Sp.Ac.
internal spinal accessory. Vg. trunk of vagus nerve, n.c. branches going to
heart. C.Sy. cervical sympathetic. G.C. loAver cervical ganglion. A.sb. sub-
clavian artery. An.V. Annulus of Vieussens. G.St, stellate ganglion, correspond-
ing to the first, second, and third ganglia of the thoracic chain. G.Th.^, G.Th.^,
fourth and fifth thoracic ganglia. iJ.i., D.u., D.ni., D.iv., D.v., first, second, third,
fourth and fifth thoracic spinal nerves, r. c. ramus communicans. n. c. nerves
(cardiac) passing to the heart from the cervical ganglion and from the annulus of
Vieussens.
The inhibitory fibres, shewn by black lines, run in the upper (bulbar) roots of
the spinal accessory, by the internal branch of the spinal accessory, past the
ganglion trunci vagi, along the trunk of the vagus, and so by branches to the
heart.
The augmentor fibres, also shewn by black lines, pass from the spinal cord by the
anterior roots of the second and third thoracic nerves (possibly also from the first,
fourth and fifth as indicated by broken black lines), pass the stellate ganglion by
the annulus of Vieussens to the lower cervical ganglion, from whence, as also from
the annulus itself, they pass along the cardiac nerves to the heart. An occasional
tract from the stellate ganglion itself is not shewn in the figure.
slender nerve from the superior cervical ganglion passing independently
to the heart. The arrangement is not exactly the same on the two
sides of the body, and the minor details differ in different individuals.
As in other animals the various cardiac nerves mingle in the cardiac ^
plexuses.
In the dog it has been ascertained by separate stimulation of
these several cardiac nerves, that augmentor fibres are contained in
some or other of the nerves passing from the lower cervical ganglion
and the adjoining vagus trunk, from the annulus of Vieussens,
especially the lower, ventral, limb, and sometimes from the stellate
ganglion itself. The results differ a good deal in different in-
dividuals, and there are reasons for thinking that the nerves in
question may contain efferent fibres other than augmentor fibres,
by reason of which stimulation of them may give rise to other
than pure augmentor effects. Speaking broadly, however, we may
say that we may trace the augmentor fibres back from the cardiac
plexuses through the lower cervical ganglion and the annulus of
Vieussens to the stellate ganglion.
This ganglion is in reality several sympathetic ganglia fused
together. It undoubtedly, in the dog, represents the first, second
and third thoracic sympathetic ganglia, receiving, as it does,
branches, rami communicantes, from the first, second and third
thoracic spinal nerves. Since it also receives branches from the
eighth and seventh cervical nerves, it has been argued that it
represents not only the three thoracic sympathetic ganglia, but
also what in man and other animals is called the lower cervical
ganglion ; if so, what has been called above the lower cervical
ganglion should be regarded as the middle cervical ganglion.
From the stellate ganglion the sympathetic cord passes to the
ganglion, which is connected by a ramus communicans with the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 317
fourth thoracic spinal nerve, and which is therefore, in reality, the
fourth thoracic ganglion, and so on to the rest of the thoracic chain.
Now, when the several rami coniniunicantes, or the anterior
roots, of the lower cervical and upper thoracic nerves are separately
stimulated, it is found that augmentor efiects make their appear-
ance with considerable constancy when the second and third
thoracic nerves are stimulated ; the effects are less constant with
the first and fourth thoracic nerves ; sometimes some effect may
appear with the fifth thoracic nerve, but not with any other
thoracic nerves, or with any of the cervical nerves.
We may therefore say that, in the dog, augmentor impulses
leave the spinal cord by the anterior roots of the second and third,
to some extent the first and fourth, and possibly the fifth
thoracic nerves, travel by the several rami communicantes to the
stellate ganglion, and pass thence to the cardiac plexuses, and so to
the heart, by nerves from the stellate ganglion itself, or from the
annulus of Vieussens, or from the so-called lower cervical ganglion.
In the cat the path of the augmentor impulses is very similar, and
we may regard the statement just made as representing, in a broad
way, the path of these impulses in the mammal generally. They
leave the spinal cord by the upper thoracic nerves, and pass to the
heart through the lower cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic
ganglia.
The effect of stimulating these augmentor fibres is, in some
cases, to increase the rapidity of the rhythm. When the heart is
beating very slowly this acceleration may be very conspicuous, but
when the heart is beating quickly, or even at what may be called
a normal rate, the acceleration observed may be very slight. A
more constant and striking effect is the increase in the force of the
beat. When tracings are taken of the movements of the auricles
and ventricles separately, it is observed that in the case both of the
auricles and of the ventricles, the extent of the systole is increased ;
moreover, it would seem also that both cavities undergo a larger
expansion : they are filled with a larger quantity of blood during
the diastole. This means that the output of the heart is increased
by the action of the augmentor nerves, and that such is the effect
may be directly shewn by the cardiometer. Moreover, this increase
of the output may take place in spite of a concomitant rise of
arterial pressure, so that the effect of the action of the augmentor
nerves is distinctly to increase the work of the heart ; and this may
take place even though no marked acceleration occurs.
In the mammal as in the case of the frog, when the augmentor
fibres are stimulated, some time elapses before the maximum effect
is witnessed and the influence of the stimulation may last some
considerable time after the stimulation has ceased.
When records are taken of the behaviour of the heart during
the stimulation of afferent nerves, such as the sciatic or the
splanchnic, the records shew that the heart may behave very much
318 INHIBITION AND AUGMENTATION. [Book i.
in the same way as when the augmentor fibres are directly stimu-
lated ; there is a marked increase in the force of the auricular and
of the ventricular systole, and at times an obvious acceleration of
the rhythm. We may infer that in such a case the augmentor
fibres are thrown into activity through the afferent impulses as
part of a reflex act. At the same time it must be remembered
that afferent impulses may increase the beat of the heart not by
exciting the augmentor mechanism, but by depressing, that is,
by inhibiting a previously existing activity of the cardio-inhibitory
centre ; to this point we shall again have to refer.
We may, however, conclude that both the inhibitory and the
augmentor mechanisms of the heart can be brought into action by
means of the central nervous system. Speaking broadly, the effect
of the former is to diminish the work of the heart, and so to lower
the blood pressure, and that of the latter to increase the work of
the heart, and so to heighten the blood pressure.
§ 161. The question, what is the exact nature of the change
brought about by the inhibitory and augmenting impulses respect-
ively on their arrival at the heart ? or, in other words, by virtue
of what events produced in the heart itself do the impulses along
the one set of fibres bring about inhibition, along the other set
augmentation ? — is a very difficult one, which we cannot attempt
to discuss fully here.
We may, of course, suppose that the very impulses themselves
as started at the point of stimulation are, owing to the very nature
of the fibres, different in the one set and in the other. Many
phenomena, however, of the nervous system lead us, by analogy, to
the conclusion that this is not the case, but that stimulation of the
fibres produces different effects on the heart by reason of the
different ways in which the fibres end in the heart. We may, for
instance, suppose that there exist in the heart what we may call
an inhibitory and an augmenting mechanism with which the
inhibitory and augmentor fibres are respectively connected. And
a special action of atropin on the heart lends support to this view.
If, either in a frog or a mammal, or other animal, after the
vagus fibres have been proved, by trial, to produce, upon stimu-
lation, the usual inhibitory effects, a small quantity of atropin
be introduced into the circulation (when the experiment is con-
ducted on a living animal, or be applied in a weak solution to
the heart itself when the experiment is conducted, in the
frog for instance, on an excised heart or after the circulation has
ceased), it will after a short time be found, not only that the stimu-
lation, the application of a current, for instance, which previously
when applied to the vagus produced marked inhibition, now
produces no inhibition, but even that the strongest stimulus, the
strongest current applied to the vagus, will wholly fail to affect
the heart, provided that there be no escape of current on to the
cardiac tissues themselves ; under the influence of even a small
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 319
dose of atropin, the strongest stimulation of the vagus will not
produce standstill or appreciable slowing or weakening of the beat.
Further, this special action of atropin on the heart is, so to
speak, complemented by the action of niuscarin, tlie active
principle of many poisonous mushrooms. If a small quantity of
muscarin be introduced into tlie circulation, or applied directly to
the heart, the beats become slow and feeble, and if the dose be
adequate the heart is brought to a complete standstill. The effect
is in some respects like that of powerful stimulation of the vagus,
but the standstill is much more complete, the effect is much more
profound. Now if, in a frog, the heart be brouglit to a standstill
by a dose of muscarin, the application of an adequate quantity of
atropin will bring back the beats to quite their normal strength and
rhythm. The one drug is, so far as the heart is concerned (and indeed
in many other respects), the antidote of the other. We may interpret
these results as indicating that there exists in the heart an
inhibitory mechanism, which is excited, stimulated into activity
by muscarin, but paralysed, rendered incapable of activity by
atropin. And we may suppose that there is a corresponding
augmenting mechanism.
But what is the nature of such a mechanism ? It has been
supposed that it is furnished by some or other of the ganglia
within the heart. And this view seems at first sight tempting,
especially as regards the vagus inhibitory fibres. In the dog the
roots of the spinal accessory nerve, by which inhibitory fibres leave
the central nervous system, consist entirely of medullated fibres.
Among these are fibres of fine calibre, 3-5/jb or less in diameter,
which may be traced down the trunk of the vagus, along the
branches going to the heart, right down to the heart itself. There
can be little doubt that these medullated fibres of fine calibre are
the inhibitory fibres of the vagus, and indeed there is evidence
which renders it probable that the inhibitory fibres of the heart
are always medullated fibres of fine calibre, which continue as
medullated fibres right down to the heart, but eventually lose their
medulla in the heart itself by becoming connected with the cells
of some or other of the ganglia. And we may suppose tliat the
impulses passing down the vagus fibres so affect the cells with
which the fibres are thus connected, that the impulses which
pass away from the other side of the cell towards the mus-
cular fibres assume a special character and become inhibitory,
whatever might have been their nature before. In other words,
these ganglionic cells are the inhiliitory mechanism of which we
are in search ; but the connection of a fibre with a nerve cell and
a change from a medullated to a non-medullated condition does not
necessarily entail change of function. The augmentor fibres, as they
leave the spinal cord by the anterior roots of the thoracic spinal
nerves, are medullated fibres. But they lose their medulla (in the dog)
in the stellate ganglion or the lower cervical ganglion ; from these
320 INHIBITION AND AUGMENTATION. [Book i.
ganglia onwards they are non-medullated fibres. Now we cannot
by experiment detect any difference between the augmentor action
of the medullated fibres running from the spinal cord to the gan-
glia and that of the non-medullated fibres running from the ganglia
to the heart. By analogy we may infer that the inhibitory fibres
are the same in action before and after they become connected with
the ganglionic cells within the heart. These cells do not furnish
the inhibitory mechanism. Moreover, there is evidence that
atropin in preventing inhibition does so by producing some change
either in the muscular fibres themselves or in the ultimate nerve
endings. At present we can make no satisfactory statement as to
exactly how either inhibition or augmentation is brought about.
As to the part, however, played by the ganglionic cells within the
heart in reference to inhibition or augmentation, we may call to mind
the fact that stimulation of say one of the cardiac nerves, carrying
augmentor or inhibitory fibres leads to augmentation or inhibition
of the work not of any particular part of the heart, but of the
whole heart ; and as we have already urged, the ganglia probably
act as distributors of impulses. They may also, in addition, have
an important work in maintaining the nutrition of the nerve fibres :
they may have an important trophic function.
We have seen that both inhibition and augmentation may
affect on the one hand the rhythm, and on the other hand the
force of the heart beat. We cannot at present explain this double
event. It may be that there are in each case two sets of fibres,
one bearing on the rhythm, the other on the force of the contrac-
tions ; this is the simpler explanation, but we have as yet no
adequate proof in support of it, and other explanations seem
possible.
One other point is worthy perhaps of attention. We have seen
that inhibition may be followed by a phase of increased activity,
and that on the whole the heart is strengthened rather than
weakened by the process, while on the other hand augmentation is
followed by depression, and the process is distinctly an exhausting
one. Hence whatever be the exact mechanism of inhibition and of
augmentation, whatever be the particular elements of the cardiac
structures which furnish the one or the other, augmentation means
increased expenditure, inhibition means a lessened expenditure, of
energy on the part of the muscular tissue of the heart. Whatever
the manner in which the respective fibres act, the effect of the
activity of the augmentor fibres is to hurry on the downward,
catabolic changes of the cardiac tissue, while that of the inhibitory
fibres is an opposite one, and we may probably say that the latter
assists the constructive, anabolic, changes.
Other Influences regulating or modifying the Beat of the Heart.
§ 162. Important as is the regulation of the heart by the
nervous system, it must be borne in mind that other influences
CiiAr. IV.] THE VASCULAK MECHANISM. 321
are or may be at work. The beat of the heart may, for instance,
be modified by inliuences bearing directly on the nutrition of the
heart. The tissues of the heart, lilve all other tissues, need an
adequate supply of blood of a proper quality ; if the blood vary
in quality or quantity the beat of the heart is correspondingly
affected. The excised frog's heart, as we have seen, continues to
beat for some considerable time, though apparently empty of blood.
After a while, however, the beats diminish and eventually disap-
pear ; and their disappearance is greatly hastened by washing out
the heart with normal saline solution, which, when allowed to
How through the cavities of the heart, readily permeates the tissues
on account of the peculiar construction (§ 151) of the ventricular
walls. If such a ' washed out,' quiescent heart be fed with a
perfusion cannula, in the manner described (§ 155), with diluted
blood (of the rabbit, sheep, &c.), it may be restored to functional
activity. A similar but less complete restoration may be wit-
nessed if serum be used instead of blood ; and a heart fed
regularly with fresh supplies of blood or even of serum may be
kept beating for a very great length of time.
Now, serum is, as we have seen, a very complex fluid containing
several proteids, many ' extractives ' and various inorganic salts.
Of the proteids, experiments have shewn that peptone and
albumose, so far from being beneficial, are directly poisonous to the
heart ; that paraglobulin is without effect ; but that serum-albumin
will maintain the beats for a long time, and will restore the beats
of a ' washed-out ' heart. We might infer from this that serum-
albumin is directly concerned in the nutrition of the cardiac tissue ;
but we are met with the striking fact that a frog's heart may be
maintained in vigorous pulsation for many hours, and that a
' washed-out ' frog's heart may be restored to vigorous pulsation by
being fed with normal saline fluid to which a calcium salt with a
trace of a potassium salt has been added^. On the other hand,
serum from which the calcium salts have been removed by
precipitation with sodium oxalate is powerless to maintain or to
restore cardiac pulsations. Obviously in the changes, whatever
they may be, through which such fluids as serum, milk and the like
(for milk and other fluids have been found efficient in this respect)
maintain the beat of the heart, calcium salts play an important
part ; and it is tempting to connect this with the relation of calcium
salts to the clotting of blood (§ 20). We are not, however, justified
in inferring because serum is ineffective in the absence of calcium
salts, that the serum albumin is useless ; and, indeed, the beneficial
effects of the calcic saline fluid are not so complete as those of serum
or of blood ; moreover, the possible influences of the various extrac-
^ By Riuger's Ileart-Fluid, for in.stnnce, which is made by saturating iu the cold
normal saliue solution (-(jS p.c. sodium chloride) with calcium phosphate, and
adding to 100 c.c. of the mixture, 2 c.c. of a 1 p.c. solution of potassium chloride.
21
322 EEGULATION BY NUTEITION. [Book i.
tives, such as sugar, for instance, present in the serum have to be
considered. We may, in addition, call to mind what we said in
treating of the skeletal muscles (§ 86), that fatigue or exhaustion
may have a double nature, the using up of contractile material on
the one hand, and on the other hand the accumulation of waste
products ; and the nutritive or restorative influence over the heart
of any material may bear on the one or the other of these. Thus
the beneficial effect of alkalies is probably in part due to their
antagonizing the acids which as we have seen are being constantly
produced during muscular contraction. But we shall return to
this subject in dealing at a later part of this work with the
nutrition of the several tissues.
In the various experiments which have been made in thus
feeding hearts with nutritive and other fluids, two facts worthy of
notice have been brought to light.
One is that various substances have an effect on the muscular
walls, apart from the direct modification of the contractions.
The muscular fibres of the heart over and above their rhythmic
contractions are capable of varying in length, so that at one time
they are longer, and the chambers, when pressure is applied to
them internally, are dilated beyond the normal, while at another
time they are shorter, and the chambers, with the same internal
pressure, are contracted beyond the normal. In other words, the
heart possesses what we shall speak of in reference to arteries as
tonicity or tonic contraction, and the amount of this tonic contrac-
tion, and in consequence the capacity of the chambers, varies
according to circumstances. Some of the substances appear to
increase, others to diminish this tonicity and thus to diminish or
increase the capacity of the chambers during diastole. This, of
course, would have an effect, other things being equal, on the
output from the heart, and so on its work ; and, indeed, there is
some evidence that the augmentor and inhibitory impulses may
also affect this tonicity, but observers are not agreed as to the
manner in which and extent to which they may thus act.
Another fact worthy of notice is when the heart is thus artifi-
cially fed with serum, or other fluids, or even with blood, the beats,
whether spontaneous or provoked by stimulation, are apt to become
intermittent, and to arrange themselves into groups. This intermit-
tence is possibly due to the fluid employed being unable to carry on
nutrition in a completely normal manner, and to the consequent
production of abnormal chemical substances ; and it is probable that
cardiac intermittences seen during life are in certain cases thus
brought about by some direct interference with the nutrition of the
cardiac tissue, and not throiigh extrinsic nervous impulses descend-
ing to the heart from the central nervous system. Various chemical
substances in the blood, arising within the body, or introduced as
drugs, may thus affect the heart's beat by acting on its muscular
fibres, or its nervous elements, or both, and that probably in various
€hap. iv.] the vascular MECHANISM. 323
ways, modifying in different directions the rliytlini, or the individual
■contractions, or both.
Concerning the effect on the heart of blood which has not been
adequately changed in the lungs we shall speak when we come to
treat of respiration.
The physical or mechanical circumstances of the heart also
affect its beat ; of these perhaps the most important is the amount
of the distension of its cavities. The contractions of cardiac
muscle, like those of ordinary muscle (see § 81), are increased up
to a certain limit by the resistance which they have to overcome ;
a full ventricle will, other things being equal, contract more
vigorously than one less full ; though, as in ordinary muscle, the
limit at which resistance is beneficial may be passed, and an over-
full ventricle will fail to beat at all. Hence an increase in the
quantity of blood in the ventricle will augment the work done in
two ways : the quantity thrown out will, unless antagonistic
influences intervene, be greater, and the increased quantity will be
•ejected with greater force. Further, since the distension of the
ventricle, at the commencement of the systole, at all events, is
■dependent on the auricular systole, the work of the ventricle (and
so of the heart as a whole) is in a measure governed by the
auricle.
An interesting combination of direct mechanical effects and
indirect nervous effects is seen in the relation of the heart's
beat to blood pressure. When the blood pressure is high, not
only is the resistance to the ventricular systole increased, but,
•other things being equal, more blood flows (in the mammalian
heart) through the coronary arteries. Both these events would
increase the activity of the heart, and we might expect that the
increase would be manifest in the rate of. the rhythm as well as in
the force of the individual beats. As a matter of fact, however,
we do not find this. On the contrary, the relation of heart beat to
pressure may be put almost in the form of a law, that " the rate
of the beat is in inverse ratio to the arterial pressure ; " a rise of
pressure being accompanied by a diminution, and fall of pressure
Tjy an increase of the rate of the rhythm. This, however, only holds
good if the vagus nerves be intact. If these be previously divided,
then in whatever way the blood pressure be raised, — whether by
injecting blood or clamping the aorta, or increasing the peripheral
resistance, through an action of the vaso-motor nerves, which we
shall have to describe directly, — or in whatever way it be lowered,
no such clear and decided inverse relation between blood pressure
and pulse-rate is observed. It is inferred, therefore, that increased
blood pressure causes a slowing of the beat, when the vagus nerves
are intact, because the cardio-inhibitory centre in the medulla is
stimulated by the high pressure, either directly by the pressure
obtaining in the blood vessels of the medulla, or in some indirect
manner, and the heart in consequence more or less inliibited.
SEC. 6. CHANGES IN THE CALIBEE OE THE MINUTE
AKTEKIES. VASO-MOTOE ACTIONS.
§ 163. We have seen (§ 108) that all arteries contain plain
muscular fibres, for the most part circularly disposed, and most
abundant in, or sometimes almost entirely confined to the middle
coat. We have further seen that, as the arteries become smaller,
the muscular element as a rule becomes more and more prominent
as compared with the other elements, until, in the minute arteries,,
the middle coat consists almost entirely of a series of plain mus-
cular fibres wrapped round the internal coat. Nerve fibres, of
whose nature and course we shall presently speak, are distributed
largely to the arteries, and appear to end chiefly in fine plexuses
round the muscular fibres, but their exact terminations have not
as yet been clearly made out. By mechanical, electrical, or other
stimulation, this muscular coat may, in the living artery, be made
to contract. During this contraction, which has the slow character
belonging to the contractions of all plain muscle, the calibre of the
vessel is diminished. The veins also, as we have seen, possess.
muscular elements, but these vary in amount and distribution
very much more in the veins than in the arteries. Most veins,
however, are contractile, and may vary in calibre according to the
condition of their muscular elements. Veins are also supplied
with nerves. It will be of advantage, however, to consider
separately the little we know concerning the changes in the
veins and to confine ourselves at present to the changes in the
arteries.
If any individual small artery in the web of a frog's foot be
watched under the microscope, it will be found to vary considerably
in calibre from time to time, being sometimes narrowed and
sometimes dilated; and these changes may take place without
any obvious changes either in the heart beat or in the general
circulation ; they are clearly changes of the artery itself. During
the narrowing, which is obviously due to a contraction of the
muscular coat of the artery, the capillaries fed by the artery and
the veins into which these lead become less filled with blood, and
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 325
therefore paler. During the widening, which corresponds to the
relaxation of the muscular coat, the same parts are fuller of blood,
and redder. It is obvious that, the pressure at the entrance into
any given artery remaining the same, more blood will enter the
artery when relaxation takes place, and consequently the resistance
offered by the artery is diminished, and less when contraction
occurs, and the resistance is consequently increased ; the blood
flows in the direction of least resistance.
The extent and intensity of the narrowing or widening, of the
constriction or dilation which may thus be observed in the frog's
web, vary very largely. Variations of slight extent, either more or
less regular and rhythmic or irregular, occur even when the animal
is apparently subjected to no disturbing causes, and may be spoken
■of as spontaneous ; larger changes may follow events occurring in
various parts of the body ; while as the result of experimental
interference the arteries may become either constricted, in some
cases almost to obliteration, or dilated until they acquire double
or more than double their normal diameter. This constriction or
dilation may be brought about not only by treatment applied
directly to the web, but also by changes affecting the nerves of
the leg or other parts of the body. Thus section of the nerves of the
leg is generally followed by a widening which may be slight or
which may be very marked, and which is sometimes preceded by
a passing constriction ; while stimulation of the peripheral stump
of a divided nerve by an interrupted current of moderate in-
tensity gives rise to constriction, often so great as almost to
obliterate some of the minute arteries.
Obviously, then, the contractile muscular elements of the minute
arteries of the web of the frog's foot are capable by contraction or
relaxation of causing decrease or increase of the calibre of the
arteries ; and this condition of constriction or dilation may be
brought about through the agency of nerves. Indeed, not only in
the frog, but also, and still more so, in warm blooded animals, have
we evidence that in the case of a very large number of, if not all, the
arteries of the body, the condition of the muscular coat, and so the
calibre of the artery, is governed by means of nerves ; these nerves
have received the general name of vaso-motor nerves.
§ 164. If the ear of a rabbit, preferably a light coloured one,
be held up before the light, a fairly conspicuous artery will be seen
running up the middle line of the ear, accompanied by its broader
and more obvious veins. If this artery be carefully watched it will
be found, in most instances, to be undergoing rhythmic changes of
calibre, constriction alternating with dilation. At one moment the
artery appears as a delicate, hardly visible pale streak, the whole
€ar being at the same time pallid. After a while the artery slowly
widens out, becomes broad and red, the whole ear blushing, and
many small vessels previously invisible coming into view. Again
the artery narrows and the blush fades away ; and this may l)e
326 CHANGES IN CALIBRE OF ARTERIES. [Book i.
repeated at somewhat irregular intervals of a minute, more or less.
The extent and regularity of the rhythm are usually markedly-
increased if the rabbit be held up by the ears for a short time
previous to the observation. Similar rhythmic variations in the
calibre of the arteries have been observed in several regions of the
body, ex. gr. in the vessels of the mesentery and elsewhere ;
probably they are widely spread.
Sometimes no such variations are seen, the artery remains
constant in a condition intermediate between the more extreme
widening and extreme narrowing just described. In fact, we may
speak of an artery as being at any given time in one of three
phases. It may be very constricted, in which case its muscular
fibres are very much contracted ; or it may be very dilated, in
which case its muscular fibres are relaxed ; or it may be mode-
rately constricted, the muscular fibres being contracted to a certain
extent, and remaining in such a condition that they may on the
one hand pass into stronger contraction, leading to marked con-
striction, or, on the other hand, into distinct relaxation, leading
to dilation. We have reason to think, as we shall see, that many
arteries of the body are kept habitually, or at least for long
periods together, in this intermediate condition, which is fre-
quently spoken of as tonic contraction or tonus, or arterial tone.
§ 165. If, now, in a vigorous rabbit, in which the heart is
beating with adequate strength, and the whole circulation is in a
satisfactory condition, the cervical sympathetic nerve be divided on
one side of the neck, remarkable changes may be observed in the
blood vessels of the ear of the same side. The arteries and veins
widen, they, together with the small veins and the capillaries,
become full of blood, many vessels previously invisible come into
view, the whole ear blushes, and if the rhythmic changes described
above were previously going on, these now cease ; in conse-
quence of the extra supply of warm blood the whole ear becomes
distinctly warmer. Now, these changes take place, or may take
place, without any alteration in the heart beat or in the general
circulation. Obviously the arteries of the ear have, in conse-
quence of the section of the nerve, lost the tonic contraction
which previously existed ; their muscular coats previously some-
what contracted have become quite relaxed, and whatever rhythmic
contractions were previously going on have ceased. The more
marked the previous tonic contraction, and the more vigorous the
heart beats, so that there is an adequate supply of blood to fill the
widened channels, the more striking the result. Sometimes, as
when the heart is feeble, or the pre-existing tonic contraction is
slight, the section of the nerve produces no very obvious change.
If now the upper segment of the divided cervical sympathetic
nerve, that is the portion of the nerve passing upwards to the head
and ear, be laid upon the electrodes of an induction machine, and a
gentle interrupted current be sent through the nerve, fresh changes
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 327
take place in the blood vessels of the ear. A short time after the
application of the current, for in this effect there is a latent period
of very appreciable duration, the ear grows paler and cooler, many
small vessels, previously conspicuous, become again invisible, the
main artery shrinks to the thinnest thread, and the main veins
become correspondingly small. When the current is shut off' from
the nerve, these effects still last some time, but eventually pass
off; the ear reddens, blushes once more, and, indeed, may become
even redder and hotter, with the vessels more filled with blood
than before. Obviously the current has generated in the cervical,
sympathetic, nerve impulses which, passing upward to the ear and
finding their way to the muscular coats of the arteries of the ear,
have thrown the muscles of those coats into forcible contractions,
and have thus brought about a forcible narrowing of the calibre of
the arteries, a forcible constriction. Through the narrowed con-
stricted arteries less blood finds its way, and hence the paleness
and coldness of the ear. If the impulses thus generated be very
strong, the constriction of the arteries may be so great that the
smallest quantity only of blood can make its way through them,
and the ear may become almost bloodless. If the impulses be
weak the constriction induced may be slight only ; and, indeed, by
careful manipulation the nerve may be induced to send up to the
ear impulses only just sufficiently strong to restore the moderate
tonic constriction which existed before the nerve was divided.
We infer from these experiments that among the various nerve
fibres making up the cervical sympathetic, there are certain fibres
which, passing upwards to the head, become connected with the
arteries of the ear, and that these fibres are of such a kind that
impulses, generated in them and passing upwards to the ear, lead
to marked contraction of the muscular fibres of the arteries, and
thus produce constriction. These fibres are vaso-motor fibres for
the blood vessels of the ear. From the loss of tone, so frequently
following section of the cervical sympathetic, we may further infer,
that, normally during life, impulses of a gentle kind are continually
passing along these fibres, upwards through the cervical sympathe-
tic, which impulses, reaching the arteries of the ear, maintain the
normal tone of those arteries. But, as we said, the existence of this
tone is not constant, and the effects of these tonic impulses
are not so conspicuous as those of the artificial constrictor im-
pulses generated by stimulation of the nerve.
§ 166. The above results are obtained whatever be the region
of the cervical sympathetic which we divide or stimulate between the
upper and the lower cervical ganglion. We may therefore describe
these vaso-motor impulses as passing upwards from the lower cer-
vical ganglion along the cervical sympathetic, to the upper cervical
ganglion, from which they issue by branches which ultimately find
their way to the ear. But these impulses do not start from the
lower cervical ganglion ; on the contrary, by repeating the experi-
328
VASO-MOTOE, FIBRES OF THE EAR. [Book i.
merits of division and stimulation in a series of animals, we may-
trace the path of these impulses from the lower cervical ganglion,
Fig. 73, through the annulus of Vieussens to
the ganglion stellatum and upper part of the
thoracic sympathetic chain, and thence along
the rami communieantes of some or other
of the upper thoracic spinal nerves to the
anterior roots of those nerves, and so to the
spinal cord. In the cat and the dog, and
probably in other higher mammals, the chief
path of the impulses lies in the second and
third thoracic nerves, though some pass by
the fourth, and a variable small number by
the fifth and the first; in the rabbit the
path is more widespread, and reaches lower
down, for while the impulses pass chiefly by
the fourth and fifth thoracic nerves, some
pass by the second and third, and others by
the sixth, seventh, and even eighth nerves.
The exact path also differs in different indi-
viduals of the same species. It will be
observed that from the spinal cord up to the
annulus of Vieussens, and the lower cervical
ganglion, these vaso-motor impulses for
the ear, and the augmentor impulses for the
heart, (cf. Fig. 72) follow much the same
path ; but there they part company. We
Fig. 73. Diagram Illustrating the Paths of Vaso-constrictor Fibres along
THE Cervical Sympathetic and (part of) the Abdominal Splanchnic.
Aur. artery of ear. G.C.S. superior cervical ganglion. Abd. Spl. upper roots
of and part of abdominal splanchnic nerve. VJf.C. vaso-motor centre in spinal
bulb. The other references are the same as in Fig. 72, § 160. The paths of the
constrictor fibres are shewn by the arrows. The dotted line along the middle of
the spinal cord, Sp. C, is to "indicate the passage of constrictor impulses down
the cord from the vaso-motor centre in the spinal bulb.
can thus trace these vaso-motor impulses backwards along the cer-
vical sympathetic to the anterior roots of certain thoracic nerves, and
through these to the thoracic region of the spinal cord, where we
will for the present leave them. We may, accordingly, speak of
vaso-motor fibres for the ear as passing from the thoracic spinal
cord to the ear along the track just marked out ; stimulation of these
fibres at their origin from the spinal cord, or at any part of their
course (along the anterior roots of the second, third or other upper
thoracic nerves, visceral branches [rami communica,ntes] of those
nerves, ganglion stellatum or upper part of thoracic sympathetic
chain, annulus of Vieussens, &c. &c.), leads to constriction in the
blood vessels of the ear of that side ; and section of these fibres
at any part of the same course tends to abolish any previously
Chap, iv.]
THE VASCULAR MECHANISM.
329
existing tonic constriction of the blood vessels of the ear, though
the effect of section is not so constant or striking as that of
stimulation.
§ 167. We must now turn to another case. In dealing with
digestion we shall have to study the submaxillary salivary gland.
We may for the present simply say that this is a glandular mass
well supplied with blood vessels, and possessing a double nervous
supply. On the one hand it receives fibres from the cervical
sympathetic, Fig. 74 v. sym. (in the dog, in which the effects which
we are about to describe are best seen, the vagus and cervical
cTi.t"
Fig. 74. Diagrammatic Representation of the Submaxillary Gland of
THE Dog with its Nerve and Blood Vessels.
(The dissection has been made on an animal lying on its back, but since all the
parts shewn in the figure cannot be seen from any one point of view, the figure does
not give the exact anatomical relations of the several structures.)
sm. g\d. The submaxillary gland, into the duct (sm. d) of which a cannula has
been tied. The sublingual gland and duct are not shewn. n.l.,n.l'. The lingual
branch of the fifth nerve, the part n. I. is going to tlie tongue, ch. t., ch. t'., ch. t" .
The chorda tympani The part ck. t" . is proceeding from tlie facial nerve ; at ch. t'.
it becomes conjoined with the lingual ?( /' and afterwards diverging passes as ch. t.
to tlie gland along the duct ; the continuation of the nerve in company with the
lingual n. I. is not shewn, sm. (jl. Tlie submaxillary ganglion with its several
roots, a. car. The carotid artery, two small liranches of wliicli, a. sm. a. and r. sm. p.,
pass to the anterior and posterior parts of the gland, r.s.m. The anterior and pos-
terior veins from the gland, falling into v. J. the jugular vein, i: si/m. The con-
joined vagus and sympatlietic trunks. //. cer. s. Tlie njijier cervical ganglion, two
branches of which forming a plexus (n. f.) over the facial artery, are distributed
(n. si/m. sm.) along the two glandular arteries to the anterior and posterior portions
of the gland.
The arrows indicate the direction taken by the nervous impulses during reflex
stimulation of the gland. They ascend to the brain by the lingual and descend by
the chorda tympani.
330 CONSTEICTOE AND DILATOR FIBRES. [Book i.
sympathetic are enclosed in a common sheath so as to form v/hat
appears to be a single trunk), which reach the gland in company
with the arteries supplying the gland (n. sym. sm.). On the
other hand it receives fibres from a small nerve called the clw7-da
tympani (ch. t.), which, springing from the 7th cranial (facial)
nerve, crosses the tympanum of the ear (hence the name), and,
joining the lingual branch of the 5th nerve, runs for some distance
in company with that nerve, and then ends partly in the tongue,
and partly in a small nerve which, leaving the lingual nerve before
reaching the tongue, runs along the duct of the submaxillary
gland, and is lost in the substance of the gland ; a small branch
is also given off to the sublingual gland.
Now, when the chorda tympani is simply divided, no very
remarkable changes take place in the blood vessels of the gland,
but if the peripheral segment of the divided nerve, that still in
connection with the gland, be stimulated, very marked results
follow. The small arteries of the gland become very much dilated,,
and the whole gland becomes flushed. (As we shall see later on
the gland at the same time secretes saliva copiously, but this does-
not concern us just now.) Changes in the calibre of the blood
vessels are, of course, not so readily seen in a compact gland as in
a thin extended ear ; but if a fine tube be placed in one of the
small veins by w*hich the blood returns from the gland, the effects-
on the blood flow of stimulating the chorda tympani become
very obvious. Before stimulation the blood trickles out in a thin,
slow stream of a dark venous colour ; during stimulation the blood
rushes out in a rapid full stream, often with a distinct pulsation,,
and frequently of a colour which is still scarlet and arterial in
spite of the blood having traversed the capillaries of the gland ;.
the blood rushes so rapidly through the widened bloodvessels that
it has not time to undergo completely that change from arterial to
venous which normally occurs while the blood is traversing the
capillaries of the gland. This state of things may continue for
some time after the stimulation has ceased, but before long the
flow from the veins slackens, the issuing blood becomes darker
and venous, and eventually the circulation becomes normal.
We shall have occasion later on to speak of the nervi erigentes,
the stimulation of which gives rise to the erection of the penis. The
erection of the penis is partly due to a widening of the arteries
supplying the peculiar erectile tissue of that organ, whereby that
tissue becomes distended with blood, and the widening is brought
about by impulses passing along the nerves in question. Obviously
the chorda tympani and the nervi erigentes contain fibres which
we may speak of as ' vaso-motor ' since stimulation of them
produces a change in, brings about a movement in the blood
vessels ; but the change produced is of a character the very
opposite to that produced in the blood vessels of the ear by
stimulation of the cervical sympathetic. There stimulation of the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 331
nerve caused contraction of the muscular fibres, constriction of the
small arteries ; here stimulation of the nerve causes a widening of
the arteries, which widening is undoubtedly due to relaxation of
the muscular fibres. Hence we must distinguish between two
kinds of vaso-motor fibres, fibres the stimulation of wliich produces
constriction, vaso-constrictor fibres, and fibres the stimulation of
which causes the arteries to dilate, vaso-dilator fibres, the one kind
bein<T the antao;onist of the other.
The reader can hardly fail to be struck with the analogy
between these two kinds of vaso-motor fibres on the one hand, and
the inhibitory and augmentor fibres of the heart on the other
hand. The augmentor cardiac fibres increase the rhythm and
the force of the heart beats ; the vaso-constrictor fibres increase
the contractions of the muscular fibres of the arteries : the one
works upon a rhythmically active tissue, the other upon a tissue
whose work is more or less continuous, but the effect is in each
case similar, an increase of the work. The inhibitory cardiac
fibres slacken or stop the rhythm of the heart and diminish the
beats ; the vaso-dilator fibres diminish the previously existing
contraction of the muscular fibres of the arteries so that these
expand under the pressure of the blood.
We must not attempt here to discuss what is the exact nature
of the process by which the nervous impulses passing down the
vaso-dilator fibres thus stop contraction and induce relaxation ;
but we may say that in all probability the process, whatever be
its nature, is one which takes place in the muscular fibre itself on
the arrival of the nervous impulse. In the case of the vaso-
constrictor fibres, there is no need to presuppose the existence of
any special terminal nervous mechanism to carry out the con-
striction of the vessel ; that is to say, the contraction of the muscular
fibres of its coats, over and above that which exists in the case of
all motor nerves, and the muscular fibres which they govern. And
by analogy we have no valid reason to presuppose the existence of
any special terminal mechanism for the vaso-dilator fibres. We
have repeatedly insisted that the relaxation of a muscular fibre is
as much a complex vital process, is as truly the result of the
metabolism of the muscular substance, as the contraction itself ;
and there is a priori no reason why a nervous impulse should not
govern the former much in the same way as it does the latter.
§ 168. We must return to the vaso-motor nerves. In the
chorda tympani, the vaso-motor fibres are exclusively vaso-dilator
fibres, and this is true both of the part of the nerve ending in the
submaxillary and sublingual glands, and the rest of the ending of
the nerve in the tongue. Stimulation of the chorda tympani (so
far as the vaso-motor functions of the nerve are concerned, for it
has, as we shall see, other functions), at any part of its course from
its leaving the facial nerve to its endings in the gland or tongue,
produces only vaso-dilator effects, never vaso-constrictor effects.
332 VASO-MOTOR NERVES OF THE LIMBS. [Book i.
The cervical sympathetic, on the other hand, is not exclusively
vaso-constrictor. It contains, as we have seen, vaso-constrictor
fibres for the ear. It also contains vago-constrictor fibres for other
regions of the head and face. For instance, the branches of the
cervical sympathetic going to the submaxillary gland of which we
just spoke (Fig. 74 n. sym. sm.}, contain vaso-constrictor fibres for
the vessels of the gland ; stimulation of these fibres produces, on
the vessels of the gland, an effect exactly the opposite of that
produced by stimulation of the chorda tympani ; to this point we
shall have to return when we deal with the gland in connection
with digestion. And we might give other instances ; in fact the
dominant effect on the blood vessels of stimulating the cervical
sympathetic is a vaso-constrictor effect. There are, however, certain
cases in which the opposite effect, a vaso-dilator effect, in certain
regions has been observed as the result of stimulating the cervical
sympathetic. And we may now turn to other nerves in which
such a double effect, now a vaso-constrictor, now a vaso-dilator
effect, may be more readily obtained.
In the frog, as we have seen, division of the nerves of the leg
leads to a widening of the arteries of the web of the foot of the same
side, and stimulation of the peripheral end of the nerve causes a
constriction of the vessels, which, if the stimulation be strong, may
be so great that the web appears for the time being to be devoid
of blood. Also in a mammal division of the sciatic nerve causes a
similar widening of the small arteries of the skin of the leg.
Where the condition of the circulation can be readily examined,
as, for instance, in the hairless balls of the toes, especially when
these are not pigmented, the vessels are seen to be dilated and
injected ; and a thermometer placed between the toes shews a rise
of temperature amounting, it may be, to several degrees. If, more-
over, the peripheral end of the divided nerve be stimulated, the
vessels of the skin become constricted, the skin grows pale, and the
temperature of the foot falls. And very similar results are obtained
in the forelimb by division and subsequent stimulation of the
nerves of the brachial plexus.
The quantity of blood present in the blood vessels of a part of the
body or of an organ of the mammal may sometimes be observed
directly by means of the plethysmograph, of which we have already
spoken (§ 122), but has frequently to be determined indirectly. The
temperature of a passive structure subject to cooling influences, such as
the skin, is largely dependent on the supply of blood: the more
abundant the supply, the warmer the part. Hence in these parts
variations in the quantity of blood may be inferred from variations of
temperature ; but in dealing with more active structures, such as muscles,
there are obviously sources of error in the possibility of the treatment
adopted, such as the stimulation of a nerve, giving rise to an increase of
temperature due to increased metabolism, independent of variations in
blood supply.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 333
So far, the results are (juite like those obtained by division and
stimulation of the cervical sympathetic, and we might infer that
the sciatic nerve and brachial plexus contain vaso-constrictor fibres
only for the vessels of the skin of the hind limb and fore limlj,
vaso-dilator fibres being absent. But sometimes a different result
is obtained ; on stimulating the divided sciatic nerve the vessels
of the foot are not constricted but dilated, perhaps widely dilated.
And this vaso-dilator action is almost sure to be manifested when
the nerve is divided, and the peripheral stump stimulated some
time, two to four days, after division, by which time commencing
degeneration has begun to modify the irritability of the nerve.
For example, if the sciatic be divided, and some days after-
wards, by which time the Hushing and increased temperature of
the foot, following upon the section, has wholly or largely passed
away, the peripheral stump be stimulated with an interrupted
current, a renewed flushing and rise of temperature is the result.
We are led to conclude that the sciatic nerve (and the same holds
good for the brachial plexus) contains both vaso-constrictor and
vaso-dilator fibres, and to interpret the varying result as due to
variations in the relative irritability of the two sets of fibres. The
constrictor fibres appear to predominate in these nerves, and hence
constriction is the more common result of stimulation ; the con-
strictor fibres also appear to be more readily affected by a tetanizing
current than do the dilator fibres. When the nerve, after division,
commences to degenerate, the constrictor fibres lose their irrita-
bility earlier than the dilator fibres, so that at a certain stage
a stimulus, such as the interrupted current, while it fails to affect
the constrictor fibres, readily throws into action the dilator fibres.
The latter, indeed, appear to retain their irritability after section
of the nerve for a much longer time than do ordinary motor nerves
(§ 83). The result is perhaps even still more striking if a
mechanical stimulus, such as that of " crimping " the nerve by
repeated snips with the scissors, be employed. Exposure to a low
temperature again seems to depress the constrictors more than the
dilators ; hence when the leg is placed in ice-cold water stimulation
of the sciatic, even when the nerve has been but recently divided,
throws the dilator only into action, and produces fiushing of the
skin with blood. Slow, rhythmical stimulation, moreover, of even a
freshly divided nerve may produce dilation. And there are other
facts which support the same view that the sciatic nerve (and
brachial plexus) contains both vaso-constrictor and vaso-dilator
fibres which are differently affected by different circumstances. We
may point out that the case of the vagus of the frog is a verv
analogous one; in it are both cardiac inhibitory (true vagus) and
cardiac augmentor (sympathetic) fibres, but the former, like the
vaso-constrictor fibres in tlie sciatic, are predominant, and special
means are required to shew the presence of the latter.
In the splanchnic nerves which supply fibres to the blood
334 VASCULAE CHANGES IN MUSCLES. [Book i.
vessels of so large a part of the abdominal viscera, there is abundant
evidence of the presence of vaso-constrictor fibres. Division of this
nerve leads to a widening of the blood vessels of the abdominal
viscera, stimulation of the nerve to a constriction ; and, as we shall
see, since the amount of blood vessels thus governed by this nerve
is very large indeed, interference either in the one direction or the
other with its vaso-motor functions produces very marked results,
not only on the circulation in the abdomen, but on the whole
vascular system. There is some evidence that the splanchnic
nerves also contain vaso-dilator fibres, but this evidence is of a
more or less indirect character, and in any case, the number of such
fibres must be small.
So far as we know, the vaso-motor fibres contained in the
sciatic and the like spinal nerves are distributed chiefly at
least to the blood vessels of the skin. Though so large a part of
the fibres of these nerves end in the muscles, the evidence of
vaso-motor fibres passing to the blood-vessels of the muscles is by
no means clear and undisputed. The blood vessels of a muscle
undoubtedly may change in calibre. For instance, when a muscle
contracts there is always an increased flow of blood through
the muscle ; this may be in part a mere mechanical result of the
change of form, the shortening and thickening of the fibres
opening out the minute blood vessels, but is also, if not chiefly,
due to the widening of the arteries by muscular relaxation. Such
a widening may be seen when a thin muscle of a frog is made,
in the living body, to contract under the microscope. But this
widening has not been proved beyond dispute to be due to the
action of vaso-dilator fibres. Indeed, it has been argued that
when a muscle contracts, some of the chemical products of
the metabolism of the muscle may, by direct, local action on
the minute blood vessels, lead to a widening of those blood
vessels. And in some other organs, the brain and the kidney,
for instance, we find functional activity accompanied by a widening
of the blood vessels under circumstances which seem to preclude
the possibility of the widening being due to vaso-dilator impulses
reaching the organ from without ; in such instances it is suggested
that the widening is due to a local effect of the products of the
activity of the organ. To this point we shall return. With
regard to vaso-constrictor fibres, also, the evidence that they are
supplied to muscles is, in like manner, not beyond dispute.
Section or stimulation of the nerves induces, it is true, changes in
the temperature of the muscles as it does in that of the skin.
But, as we urged just now, to argue from this that changes in the
blood supply have taken place is not wholly safe ; moreover, the
changes in temperature observed are slight. Again, the fact that
when the nerve of a muscle is divided the blood vessels of the
muscle widen, somewhat like the blood vessels of the ear after
division of the cervical sympathetic, has been brought forward as
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 335
indicating the presence of vaso-constrictor fibres carrying the kind
of intiuence which we called tonic, leading to an habitual moderate
constriction. Neither arguments can be regarded as absolutely con-
clusive. The knowledge we possess at present leaves us in fact in
doubt whether the blood flow through the muscles, though these
form so large a part of the body, is really governed by the central
nervous system.
The two parts of the body undoubtedly and pre-eminently
supplied by vaso-constrictor fibres proceeding from and governed
by the central nervous system are, on the one hand, the skin,
and on the other hand the abdominal viscera. As we shall see, the
variations in the blood supply to the skin are more strikingly
of use to the body at large, in regulating the temperature
of the body, for instance, than they are to the skin itself.
The variations in the blood supply to the abdominal viscera also
serve important general purposes ; they play their part in the
regulation of the temperature of the body, and through them the
viscera serve as a reservoir to which blood may without harm be
shunted when occasion demands. It would appear as if the vaso-
constrictor mechanism were chiefly used for the general purposes
of the economy.
Accepting the view that the presence of vaso-dilator fibres in
the nerves going to muscles is not definitely proved, and disregard-
ing the scanty and more or less obscure vaso-dilators of the sciatic
and other spinal nerves, we find that in special cases only, in cases
where it would seem that special means are needed to secure an
ample flow of blood through a particular part, unmistakably
vaso-dilator fibres are present.
TJie Course of Vaso-motor Fibres.
§ 169. Both the vaso-constrictor and the vaso-dilator fibres
-have their origin in the central nervous system, the spinal cord or
the brain, but it will be desirable to speak of the course of the
two sets separately.
Vaso-constrictor Fibres. In the mammal, so far as we know
at present, all the vaso-constrictor fibres for the whole body take
their origin in the middle region of the spinal cord, or rather,
leave the spinal cord by the nerves belonging to this middle
region. Thus in the dog the vaso-constrictor fibres, not only for
the trunk but for the limbs, head, face and tail, leave the spinal cord
by the anterior roots of the spinal nerves reaching from about the
second thoracic to the fourth lumbar nerve, both inclusive, though
some few may pass by the first thoracic and by the fifth lumbar.
Those for the head and neck leave the spinal cord, as we have
seen, § 166, chiefly by the second and third thoracic nerves,
though some leave by the fourth and a variable small number by
336 COUESE OF VASO-CONSTRICTOR FIBRES. [Book i.
the fifth and by the first ; those for the fore limbs leave by
a number of thoracic nerves reaching from the fourth to the
ninth, or even the tenth, those by the seventh being the most
numerous. Those for the hind limbs leave by the nerves reaching
from the eleventh thoracic to the third lumbar, some passing by
the tenth thoracic and the fourth lumbar. Those for the tail
leave by the first, second and third lumbar. And those for the
trunk leave by the successive spinal nerves supplying the trunk.
This arrangement may be taken as indicating generally how
these fibres leave the spinal cord, bearing in mind that the fourth
lumbar nerve of the dog corresponds to about the second lumbar
of man, and that the details differ in different kinds of animals
and, indeed, in different individuals.
Running in the case of each nerve root to the mixed nerve trunk,
these vaso-constrictor fibres pass along the visceral branch, white
ramus communicans, to the thoracic and abdominal sympathetic
ganglia (Fig. 73). From thence they reach their destination in
various ways. Thus, those going to the head and neck pass upward
through the annulus of Vieussens to the lower cervical ganglion, and
thence, as we have seen, up the cervical sympathetic ; many of the
fibres for the neck, however, pass directly from the stellate ganglion.
Those for the abdominal viscera pass off in a similar way by the
splanchnic nerves. Fig. 73, ahd. spl. and by smaller nerves joining
the inferior mesenteric ganglion. Those destined for the arm,
making their way backwards by grey rami communicantes
(Fig. 24 r. v.), join the nerves of the brachial plexus ; while those
for the hind leg pass in a similar way through some portion of the
abdominal sympathetic before they join the nerves of the sciatic
plexus. These, as we have seen, are distributed chiefly to the skin,
and the constrictor fibres of the skin of the trunk probably reach
the spinal nerves in which they ultimately run in a similar
manner. All the vaso-constrictor fibres, whatever their destin-
ation, leave the spinal cord by the anterior roots of spinal
nerves, and then passing through the appropriate visceral branches, -
join the thoracic or abdominal sympathetic ganglia. In their
course the fibres undergo a remarkable change. Along the anterior
root and along the visceral branch they are medullated fibres, but
before they reach the blood vessels for which they are destined
they become non-medullated fibres ; they appear to lose their
medulla in some or other of the ganglia.
We are in many cases able to determine experimentally by the
following method, the ganglion or ganglia in which particular
fibres end ; that is to say, in which they become connected with
nerve cells. It is found that the drug nicotin abolishes or
suspends the action of vaso-motor fibres and of other fibres
running in the sympathetic system. Thus in a rabbit, after a
certain dose of nicotin has been given, stimulation of the cervical
sympathetic nerve in the neck no longer causes constriction of
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHA^^ISM. 337
the vessels of the ear. lUit it is found iii such cases that thougli
stimulation of the trunk of the nerve in the neck is without effect,
stimulation of the appropriate nerve branches passing off from the
superior cervical ganglion on their way to the ear, does produce
constriction of the vessels of the ear. Obviously the nicotin does
not affect the peripheral fibres and endings of the nerve, but some
part of the nerve more central than the branches proceeding from
the superior cervical ganglion. Further, if the ganglion itself be
cautiously painted with a weak (1 p.c.) solution of nicotin, care
being taken to avoid excess, stimulation of the nerve in the neck
has no effect on the vessels of the ear, whereas if the nicotin be
applied to a corresponding extent to the trunk of the nerve in the
neck, none being allowed to have access to the ganglion, stimu-
lation of the trunk in the neck, even if applied to the very spot on
which the nicotin has been placed, produces the usual constriction
of the vessels of the ear. Obviously the nicotin produces its
paralysing effects by acting on the nerve cells, or on the fibres just
as they are becoming connected with nerve cells. If the solution
of nicotin be applied not to the upper, but to the middle or to the
lower cervical ganglion, stimulation of the nerve between the
ganglion and the spinal cord produces the usual constrictor effects.
This shews that the constrictor fibres pass through the lower and
the middle ganglion as fibres, not connected with cells, otherwise
they would be here affected by nicotin ; they are affected by
nicotin in the upper ganglion, and we therefore infer that they
end in, that is, are connected with cells in that ganglion. In the
same way it may be found that the vaso-constrictor fibres of the
abdominal splanchnic are connected with cells in the solar plexus.
Indeed, by this method we may determine in what ganglia the
vaso-constrictor and other fibres of the sympathetic system end ;
and a remarkable distribution, determined by morphological causes
among others, has in this way been made out, some fibres very
speedily becoming connected with nerve cells, others running a
very long course before they so end.
We may add that in the anterior roots, and along the visceral
branches, in fact until they become connected with cells, these
fibres are invariably medullated fibres of small diameter, not more
than 1*8 /x to 36 /x in diameter.
§ 170. Vaso-dilator Fibres. Some of these appear to run
much the same course as the vaso-constrictors. Such are the
vaso-dilator fibres running in spinal nerves like the sciatic and
brachial, those which seem to be present in the splanchnic, and
certain fibres of the cervical sympathetic which in some animals
at least act as vaso-dilators towards certain parts of the mouth
and face. With regard to these, the evidence of whose existence,
as we have seen, is at least in most cases, difficult, special or
indirect, we have at present no proof that their general course
is essentially different from that of the constrictors.
338 EFFECTS OF VASO-MOTOR ACTIONS. [Book i.
The more distinct and notable vaso-dilators, however, do run
a different course. These are found in the nerves coming from
the cranial and sacral regions of the central nervous system
whence, as we have seen, no vaso-constrictor fibres are known to
issue. Thus the vaso-dilator fibres for the sub-maxillary gland
running in the chorda tympani may be traced, as we have seen,
back to the facial or seventh nerve ; and the continuation of the
chorda tympani along the lingual nerve to the tongue contains
vaso-dilator fibres for that organ ; when the lingual is stimulated,
the blood vessels of the tongue dilate, owing to the stimulation of
the conjoined chorda tympani fibres. The ramus tympanicus
of the glossopharyngeal nerve contains vaso-dilator fibres for the
parotid gland, and it appears probable that the trigeminal nerve
contains vaso-dilator fibres for the eye and nose and possibly for
other parts. The vaso-dilator fibres which pass into the nervi
erigentes, leave the sacral region of the cord by the anterior roots
of the sacral nerves, the particular nerves differing in different
animals ; thus in the dog and cat they pass by the first, second,
and third, in the rabbit by the second, third and fourth, in man
by the third, fourth, and fifth sacral nerves.
In these instances the vaso-dilator fibres, as they leave the
central nervous system, are, like the vaso-constrictor fibres, fine
medullated fibres, but, unlike the majority, at least, of the vaso-
constrictors they retain their medulla for the greater part of
their course, and only lose it near their termination in the tissue
whose blood vessels they supply.
The Effects of Vaso-motor Actions.
§ 171. A very little consideration will shew that vaso-motor
action is a most important factor in the circulation. In the first
place the whole flow of blood in the body is adapted to and
governed by what we may call the general tone of the arteries of
the body at large. In a normal condition of the body, the
muscular fibres of a very large number of the minute arteries
of the body are in a state of tonic, i. e. of moderate contraction,
and it is the narrowing due to this contraction which forms a
large item of that peripheral resistance which we have seen to be
one of the great factors of blood pressure. The normal general
blood pressure, and, therefore, the normal flow of blood, is, in
fact, dependent on the ' general tone ' of the minute arteries.
In the second place, local vaso-motor changes in the condition
of the minute arteries, changes, that is to say, of any particular
vascular area, have very decided effects on the circulation. These
changes, though local themselves, may have effects which are both
local and general, as the following considerations will shew.
Let us suppose that the artery -4 is in a condition of normal
Chap, iv.] THE VxVSCULAR MECHANISM. 339
tone, is midway between extreme constriction and dilation. The
flow through A is determined by the resistance in A, and in the
vascular tract which it sup})lies, in relation to tlie mean arterial
pressure, which, again, is dependent on the way in which the heart
is beating, and on the peripheral resistance of all the small arteries
and capillaries, A included. If, while the heart and the rest of
the arteries remain unchanged, A be constricted, the peripheral
resistance in A will increase, and this increase of resistance will
lead to an increase of the general arterial pressure. Since, as we
have seen, § 119, it is arterial pressure which is the immediate
cause of the flow from the arteries to the veins, this increase of
arterial pressure will tend to drive more blood from the arteries
into the veins. The constriction of .<4, however, by increasing the
resistance, opposes any increase of the flow through A itself, in fact
will make the flow through A less than before. The whole increase
of discharge from the arterial into the venous system will take
place through the arteries in which the resistance remains un-
changed, that is, through channels other than A. Thus, as the
result of the constriction of any artery, there occur, (1) diminished
flow through the artery itself, (2) increased general arterial
pressure, leading to (3) increased flow through the other arteries.
If, on the other hand, A be dilated, while the heart and other
arteries remain unchanged, the peripheral resistance in A is
diminished. This leads to a lowering of the general arterial
pressure, which in turn tends to drive less blood from the arteries
into the veins. The dilation of A, however, by diminishing the
resistance, permits, even with the lowered pressure, more blood to
pass through A itself than before. Hence the diminished flow
tells all the more on the rest of the arteries in which the resistance
remains unchanged. Thus, as the result of the dilation of any
artery, there occur, (1) increased flow of blood through the artery
itself, (2) diminished general pressure, and (3) diminished flow
through the other arteries. Where the artery thus constricted or
dilated is small, the local effect, the diminution or increase of flow
through itself, is much more marked than the general effects, the
change in blood pressure and the flow through other arteries.
When, however, the area, the arteries of which are affected, is large,
the general effects are very striking. Thus, if, while a tracing of
the blood pressure is being taken by means of a manometer
connected with the carotid artery, the abdominal splanchnic nerves
be divided, a conspicuous but steady fall of pressure is observed,
very similar to but more marked than that which is shewn in
Fig. 75. The section of the abdominal splanchnic nerves causes
the arteries of the abdominal viscera to dilate, and these being
very numerous, a large amount of peripheral resistance is taken
away, and the blood pressure falls accordingly ; a large increase
of flow into the portal veins takes place, and the supply of blood
to the face, arms, and legs is proportionally diminshed. It will
340 USE OF VASO-DILATOE FIBKES. [Book i.
be observed that the dilation of the arteries is not instantaneous
but somewhat gradual, as shewn by the pressure sinking, not
abruptly but with a gentle curve.
The general effects on blood pressure by vaso-motor changes
are so marked that the manometer may be used to detect vaso-
motor actions. Thus, if the stimulation of a particular nerve, or
any other operation, leads to a marked rise of the mean blood
pressure, unaccompanied by any notable changes in the heart beat,
we may infer that constriction has taken place in the arteries of
some considerable vascular area ; and similarly, if the effect be
a fall of blood pressure, we may infer that constriction has given
way to dilation.
Vaso-motor Functions of the Central Nervous System,
§ 172. The central nervous system, to which we have traced
the vaso-motor nerves, makes use of these nerves to regulate the
flow of blood through the various organs and parts of the body ;
by the local effects thus produced it assists or otherwise influences
the functional activity of this or that organ or tissue ; by the
general effects it secures the well being of the body. When the
vaso-dilators are brought into play the chief effect is a local
one ; when a general effect has to be produced the vaso-con-
strictors are employed, though these of course also bring about
local effects. And we may consider the two separately.
The vaso-dilator nerves, the use of which is more simple
than that of the vaso-constrictors, in so far as it appears not
to be complicated by the presence of habitual tonic influences,
occur as parts of distinct mechanisms used chiefly at least as
reflex mechanisms, with centres placed in different regions of the
central nervous system. Thus, when food is placed in the mouth,
afferent impulses, generated in the nerves of taste, give rise in
the central nervous system to efferent impulses, which descend
the chorda tympani and other nerves to the salivary glands and,
by dilating the blood vessels, secure a copious flow of blood
through the glands, while, as we shall see later on, they excite
the glands to secrete. The centre of this reflex action appears
to lie in the spinal bulb, and may be thrown into activity not
only by impulses reaching it along the specific nerves of taste,
but also by impulses passing along other channels ; thus, emotions
started in the brain by the sight of food or otherwise may give
rise to impulses passing down along the central nervous system
itself to the spinal bulb, or events in the stomach may send
impulses up the vagus nerve, or stimulation of one kind or another
may send impulses up almost any sentient nerve, and these
various impulses reaching the spinal bulb may, by reflex action,
throw into activity the vaso-dilator fibres of the chorda tympani
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 341
and other analogous nerves, and bring about a flushing of the
salivary glands, while at the same time they cause the glands to
secrete.
The vaso-dilator fibres of the nervi erigentes may be thrown
into activity in a similar reflex way, the centre, which is also
easily thrown into activity by impulses descending down the spinal
cord from the brain, being placed in the sacral, and perhaps also
in the upper lumbar or lower thoracic region of the spinal cord.
That such a centre does exist is shewn by the fact that when,
in a dog, the spinal cord is completely divided in the thoracic
region, erection of the penis may readily be brought about by
stimulation of appropriate sentient surfaces. And other instances
might be quoted in which vaso-dilator fibres appear as part of a
reflex mechanism the centre of which is placed in the central
nervous system not far from the origin of the nerves in which the
vaso-dilator fibres run.
But, as we have seen, the instances in which we have clear and
direct evidence of vaso-dilator fibres, as distinguished from those
in which the evidence is indirect and sometimes not decided, are
on the whole few. In some of these cases the flushing of the
organs by means of vaso-dilator fibres is a very special act,
securing a very special purpose. This is notably the case with
the nervi erigentes ; and in the dog, which uses its mouth and
especially the tongue as a means of cooling the body, we may
recognise an advantage in the tongue and other parts of the
mouth being provided with distinct vaso-dilator fibres. But the
object of the special supply to the salivary glands is not so clear ;
for these glands are singular in this respect, since we have not, in
the case of other glands or of the glandular walls of the alimentary
canal, similarly sharp evidence of distinct vaso-dilator mechanisms.
§ 173. Turning now to the vaso-constrictor fibres, we find
that these form a more coherent system ; and this is in accordance
with the feature of the vaso-constrictor mechanisms, that they are
largely employed to produce general effects. Moreover, their utility
is increased, though at the same time their use becomes somewhat
more complicated, by reason of the existence of tonic influences ;
since the same fibres may, on the one hand, by an increase in the
impulses passing along them, be the means of constriction, and
on the other hand, by the removal or diminution of the tonic
influences passing along them, be the means of dilation. We have
already traced all the vaso-constrictor fibres from the middle
region of the spinal cord to the sympathetic system in the thorax
and abdomen; from thence they pass (1) by the splanchnic,
hypogastric, and other nerves to the viscera of the abdomen and
pelvis, (concerning the vaso-motor nerves of the thoracic viscera
we know at present very little), (2) by the cervical sympathetic
to the skin of the head and neck, the salivary glands and mouth,
the eyes and other parts, and possibly the brain including its
342 VASO-MOTOR CENTEE. [Book t.
membranes, though the presence of vaso-motor fibres in the
brain itself is much disputed, (3) by the brachial and sciatic
plexuses to the skin of the fore- and hind-limbs, and by various
other nerves to the skin of the trunk. The chief parts of the
body supplied by vaso-constrictor fibres appear to be the skin
with its appendages, and the alimentary canal with its appendages,
glandular and other ; the great mass of skeletal muscles appears,
as we have seen, to receive a relatively small supply of vaso-con-
strictor fibres.
If in an animal the spinal cord be divided in the lower thoracic
region, the skin of the legs becomes flushed, their temperature
frequently rises, and there is a certain amount of fall in the
general blood pressure as measured, for instance, in the carotid ;
and this state of things may last for some considerable time.
Obviously the section of the spinal cord has cut off the usual tonic
influences descending to the lower limbs ; in consequence the
blood vessels have become dilated, in consequence the general
peripheral resistance has become proportionately diminished, and
in consequence the general blood pressure has fallen. The tonic
vaso-constrictor impulses for the lower limbs, therefore, have their
origin in the central nervous system higher up than the lower
thoracic region of the spinal cord.
If the spinal cord be divided higher up, say above the roots of
the fifth or sixth thoracic nerves, the cutaneous blood vessels of
the lower limbs dilate, as in the former case, and on examination
it will be found that the blood vessels of the abdomen are also
largely dilated ; at the same time the blood pressure undergoes a
very marked fall, it may indeed be reduced to a very few milli-
meters of mercury. Obviously the tonic vaso-constrictor impulses
passing to the abdomen and to the lower limbs take origin in the
central nervous system higher up than the level of the fifth
thoracic nerve.
If the section of the spinal cord be made above the level of
the second thoracic nerve, in addition to the abovementioned
results the vessels of the head and face also become dilated ; but
in consequence of the fall of general blood pressure just mentioned,
these vessels never become so full of blood, the loss of tone is not
so obvious in them as after simple division of the cervical sym-
pathetic, since the latter operation produces little or no effect on
the general blood pressure.
Obviously then the tonic vaso-constrictor impulses, which
passing to the skin and viscera of the body maintain that tonic
narrowing of so many small arteries by which the general peri-
pheral resistance, and so the general blood pressure, is maintained,
proceed from some part of the central nervous system higher up
than the upper thoracic region of the spinal cord. And, since
exactly the same results follow upon section of the spinal cord in
the cervical region right up to the lower limit of the spinal
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAK MECHANISM. 343
bulb, we infer that these tonic impulses proceed from the spinal
bulb.
On the other hand we may remove the whole of the brain
right down to the upper limits of the spinal bulb, and yet produce
no flushing, or only a slight transient flushing, of any part of the
body and no fall at all, or only a slight transient fall, of the
general blood pressure. We therefore seem justified in assuming
the existence in the spinal bulb of a nervous centre, which we
may speak of as a vaso-motor centre, or the bulbar vaso-motor
centre, from which proceed tonic vaso-constrictor impulses, or
which regulates the emission and distribution of such tonic vaso-
constrictor impulses or influences over various parts of the body.
§ 174. The existence of this vaso-motor centre may, moreover,
be shewn in another way. The extent or amount of the tonic
constrictor impulses proceeding from it may be increased or
diminished, the activity of the centre may be augmented or
inhibited, by impulses reaching it along various afferent nerves ;
and provided no marked changes in the heart beat take place at
the same time, a rise or fall of general blood pressure may be
taken as a token of an increase or decrease of the activity of the
centre.
In the rabbit there is found in the neck, lying side by side
with the cervical sympathetic nerve and running for some distance
in company with it, a slender nerve which may be ultimately
traced down to the heart, and which, if traced upwards, is found to
come off somewhat high up from the vagus, by two or more roots,
one of which is generally a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.
This nerve (the fibres constituting which are in the dog bound up
with the vagus, and do not form an independent nerve) appears
to be exclusively an afferent nerve ; when after division of the
nerve the peripheral end, the end still in connection with the
heart, is stimulated no marked results follow. The beginnings of
the nerve in the heart are therefore quite different from the
endings of the inhibitory fibres of the vagus, or of the augmentor
fibres of the sympathetic system ; the nerve has nothing to do
with the nervous regulation of the heart treated of in Sec. 5.
If now, while the pressure in an artery such as the carotid is being
registered, the central end of the nerve {i.e. the one connected
with the brain) be stimulated with the interrupted current, a
gradual but marked fall of pressure (Fig. 75) in the carotid is
observed, lasting, when the period of stimulation is short, some
time after the removal of the stimulus. Since the beat of the
heart is not markedly changed, the fall of pressure must be due to
the diminution of peripheral resistance occasioned by the dilation
of some arteries. And it is probable tliat tlie arteries thus
dilated are chiefly if not exclusively those arteries of the ab-
dominal viscera which are governed by the splanchnic nerves; for
if these nerves are divided on both sides previous to the experi-
344 DEPEESSOR NEEVE. [Book i.
ment, the fall of pressure when the nerve is stimulated is very
small, in fact almost insignificant. The inference we draw is as
follows. The afferent impulses passing upwards along the nerve
'''^'v^A/^/^■'''^AA/^'■^^^/
Fig. 75. Tracing, shewing the Effect on Blood Pressure of stimulating
THE CENTRAL END OF THE DEPRESSOR NeRVE IN THE RaBBIT.
On the time marker below the intervals correspond to seconds. At x an interrupted
current was thrown into the nerve.
in question have so affected some part of the central nervous
system that the influences which, in a normal condition of things,
passing along the splanchnic nerves keep the minute arteries of
the abdominal viscera in a state of moderate tonic constriction,
fail altogether, and those arteries in consequence dilate just as
they do when the splanchnic nerves are divided, the effect being
possibly increased by the similar dilation of other vascular areas.
Since stimulation of the nerve of which we are speaking always
produces a fall, never a rise of blood pressure, the amount of fall
of course being dependent on circumstances, such as the condition
of the nervous system, state of blood pressure and the like, the
nerve is known by the name of the depressor nerve. As we shall
point out later on, by means of this afferent nerve from the
heart the peripheral resistance is, in the living body, lowered to
suit the weakened powers of a labouring heart.
This gradual lowering of blood pressure by diminution of
peripheral resistance affords a marked contrast to the sudden
lowering of blood pressure by cardiac inhibition ; compare Fig. 75
with Fig. 71.
§ 175. But the general blood pressure may be modified by
afferent impulses passing along other nerves than the depressor,
the modification taking on, according to circumstances, the form
either of decrease or of increase.
Thus, if in an animal placed under the influence of urari
(some anesthetic other than chloral &c. being used), the _ central
stump of the divided sciatic nerve be stimulated, an increase
of blood pressure (Fig. 76) almost exactly the reverse of the
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAK MECHANISM. 345
decrease brought about by stimulating the depressor, is observed.
The curve of the blood pressure, after a latent period during which
no changes are visible, rises steadily, reaches a maximum and
NM'
•\AaAA/v^/vww^Mr/^^'
.^.^r^.'^^'^'
Fig. 76. Effect on Blood Pressure Curve of stimulating Sciatic Nerve
UNDER Urari (Cat).
0- marks the moment in which the current was thrown into the nerve. Artificial
respiration was carried on, and the usual respiratory undulations are absent.
soon slowly falls again, the fall sometimes beginning to appear
before the stimulus has been removed. This rise of pressure,
since it may be observed in the absence of any increase in the
heart beat, such at least as could give rise to it, must be due to
the constriction of certain arteries ; the arteries in question being
those of the splanchnic area certainly, and possibly those of other
vascular areas as well. The effect is not confined to the sciatic ;
stimulation of any nerve containing afferent fibres may produce
the same rise of pressure, and so constant is the result that the
experiment has been made use of as a method for determining the
existence of afferent fibres in any given nerve and even the paths
of centripetal impulses through the spinal cord.
If, on the other hand, the animal be under the influence
not of urari but of a large dose of chloral, instead of a rise of
blood pressure a fall, very similar to that caused by stimulating
the depressor, is observed when an afferent nerve is stimulated.
The condition of the central nervous system seems to determine
whether the effect of afferent impulses on the central nervous
system is one leading to an augmentation of vaso-constrictor
impulses, and so to a rise, or one leading to a diminution of vaso-
constrictor impulses and so to a fall of blood pressure.
§ 176. We have used the words ' central nervous system ' in
speaking of the above ; we have evidence, however, that the part
of the central nervous system acted on by the afferent impulses
is the vaso-motor centre in the spinal bulb, and that the effects in
the way of diminution (depressor) or of augmentation (pressor) are
the results of afferent impulses inhibiting or augmenting the tonic
activity of this centre or of a part of this centre especially
connected with the splanchnic nerves. The whole brain may be
removed right down to the bulb, and yet the effects of stimulation
in the direction either of diminution or of augmentation may still
be brought about. If the bulb be removed, these effects are no
346 VASO-MOTOR CENTRE. [Book i.
longer seen, though all the rest of the nervous system be left intact.
Nay, more, by partially interfering with the bulb, we may partially
diminish these effects and mark out, so to speak, the limits of
the centre in question within the bulb itself. Thus, in an intact
animal under urari, stimulation of the sciatic nerve with a stimulus
of a certain strength will produce a rise of blood pressure up to
a certain extent. After removal of the whole brain right down
to the bulb, the same stimulation will produce the same rise as
before ; the vaso-motor centre has not been interfered with. Pro-
ceeding downwards, however, and removing the bulb piecemeal
by successive transverse sections a level is soon met with, beyond
which removal of the nervous substance causes an obvious dim-
inution in the effect produced by the stimulation of the sciatic ;
this marks the upper limit of the centre. Proceeding still further
downwards with successive slices, stimulation of the sciatic pro-
duces less and less rise of blood pressure, until at last a level is
reached, at which even strong stimulation of the sciatic or any
other afferent nerve produces no effect at all on blood pressure ;
this marks the lower limit of the centre. In this way the lower
limit of the bulbar vaso-motor centre has been determined in
the rabbit at a horizontal line drawn about 4 or 5 mm. above the
point of the calamus scriptorius, and the upper limit at about
4 mm. higher up, i.e. about 1 or 2 mm. below the corpora quadri-
gemina. We may add that the centre appears to be bilateral,
the halves being placed not in the middle line but more sideways
and rather nearer the anterior than the posterior surface. But
we will reserve what we have to say as to the structural features
of this centre until we come to study the spinal bulb in detail.
§ 177. The above experiments appear to afford adequate evi-
dence that, in a normal state of the body, the integrity of the
bulbar vaso-motor centre is essential to the production and dis-
tribution of those continued constrictor impulses by which the
general arterial tone of the body is maintained, and that an
increase or decrease of vaso-constrictor action in particular arteries,
or in the arteries generally, is brought about by means of the same
bulbar vaso-motor centre. But we must not therefore conclude
that this small portion of the spinal bulb is the only part of
the central nervous system which can act as a centre for vaso-con-
strictor fibres ; and, so we have seen, there is no evidence at
present that the vaso-dilator fibres are connected with either this
or any other one centre. In the frog reflex vaso-motor effects may
be obtained by stimulating various afferent nerves after the whole
spinal bulb has been removed, and, indeed, even when only a com-
paratively small portion of the spinal cord has been left intact, and
connected, on the one hand, with the afferent nerve which is being
stimulated, and, on the other, with the efferent nerves in which
run the vaso-motor fibres, whose action is being studied. In the
mammal such effects do not so readily appear, but may with care
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 347
and under special conditions be oljtained. Thus in the dog, when
the spinal cord is divided in the thoracic region, the arteries of the
hind limbs and hinder part of the body, as we have already said,
§ 172, become dilated. This one would naturally expect as the
result of their severance from the bulbar vaso-motor centre.
But if the animal be kept in good condition for some time, a
normal or nearly normal arterial tone is after a while re-estab-
lished ; and the tone thus regained may, by afferent impulses
reaching the cord below the section, be modified in the direction
certainly of diminution, i.e. dilation, and possibly, but this is not
so certain, of increase, i.e. constriction ; dilation of various cutane-
ous vessels of the limbs may be readily produced by stimulation
of the central stump of one or another nerve.
These remarkable results, which, though they are most striking
in connection with the lower part of the spinal cord, hold good
apparently for other parts also of the spinal cord, naturally suggest
a doubt whether the explanation just given above of the effects
of section of the spinal bulb is a valid one. When we come to
study the central nervous system, we shall again and again see
that the immediate effect of operative interference with these
delicate structures is a temporary suspension of nearly all their
functions. This is often spoken of as ' shock ' and may be in part
at least regarded as an extreme form of inhibition. An example
of it occurs in the above experiment of section of the thoracic cord.
For some time after the operation the vaso-dilator nervi erigentes
(which have no special connection with the bulbar vaso-motor
centre) cannot be thrown into activity as part of a reflex action ;
their centre remains for some time inactive. After a while,
however, it recovers, and erection of the penis through the nervi
erigentes may then be brought about by suitable stimulation of
sensory surfaces. Hence the question may fairly be put whether
the effects of cutting and injuring the structures which we have
spoken of as the bulbar vaso-motor centre, are not in reality
simply those of shock, whether the vascular dilation which follows
upon sections of the so-called bulbar vaso-motor centre, does not
come about because section of or injury to this region exercises a
strong depressing influence on all the vaso-motor centres situated
in the spinal cord below. Owing to the special function of the
spinal bulb in carrying on the all-important work of respiration,
a mammal whose bulb has been divided cannot be kept alive for
any length of time. We cannot, therefore, put the matter to the
simple experimental test of extirpating the supposed bulbar vaso-
motor centre, and seeing what happens when the animal has
completely recovered from the effects of the operation : we have
to be guided in our decision by more or less indirect arguments.
And against the argument that the effects are those of shock,
we may put the argument, evidence for which we shall meet with
in dealing with the central nervous system, that when one part of
348 VASO-MOTOR CENTRE, [Book i.
the central nervous system is removed, or in any way placed liors
de combat, another part may vicariously take on its function ; in
the absence of the bulbar vaso-motor centre, its function may be
performed by other parts of the spinal cord which in its presence
do no such work.
And we may, in connection with this, call attention to the fact
that the dilation or loss of tone which follows upon section of the
cervical sympathetic (and the same is true of the splanchnic)
is not always, though it may be sometimes, permanent; in a
certain number of cases it has been found that after a while, it
may be not until after several days, the dilation disappears and
the arteries regain their calibre ; on the other hand, in some cases
no such return has been observed after months or even years.
When recovery of tone has thus taken place, dilation or increased
constriction may be occasioned by local treatment : the ear may
be made to blush or to pale by the application of heat or cold,
by gentle stroking or rough handling and the like ; but neither
the one nor the other condition can be brought about by the
intervention of the central nervous system. Moreover, a similar
recovery is stated to have been observed not only after simple
section of the cervical sympathetic, but even when the superior
cervical ganglion has been removed. From this ganglion, as we
have seen (§ 169), the vaso-constrictor fibres start afresh, as from
a new centre ; and it might be supposed, that the fibres, when
cut adrift from the spinal cord by the section of the cervical
sympathetic, were governed by this ganglion as by a functionally
active centre. But if the experiment be trusted, this is not the
case. So, also, the spontaneous rhythmic variations in the calibre of
the arteries of the ear, of which we spoke in § 164, though they cease
for a time after division of the cervical sympathetic, may in some
cases eventually reappear, and that even if the superior cervical
ganglion be removed ; in other cases they do not. And the
analogous rhythmic variations of the veins of the bat's wing have
been proved experimentally to go on vigorously when all con-
nection with the central nervous system has been severed ; they
may continue, in fact, in isolated pieces of the wing provided that
the vessels are adequately filled and distended with blood or fluid.
From these and other facts, even after making allowance for the
negative cases, we may conclude that what we have spoken of as
the tone of the vessels of the face, though influenced by, and in a
measure dependent on the central nervous system, is not simply
the result of an eff'ort of that system. The muscular walls of the
arteries are not mere passive instruments worked by the central
nervous system through the vaso-motor fibres ; they appear to have
an intrinsic tone of their own, and it seems natural to suppose
that when the central nervous system causes dilation or constric-
tion of the vessels of the face, it makes use, in so doing, of this
intrinsic local tone.
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 34'J
We may add that if we accept the view that the widening of the
blood vessels which accompanies muscular contraction, is due not
to the advent of impulses from the central nervous system, but to
the changes in the tissue itself acting directly on the blood vessels,
we may regard such an event as another indication of the peri-
pheral blood vessels being able to change their condition apart from
the interference of the central nervous system. And, as we have
said, it has been maintained that the vascular change accompanying
functional activity in organs other than the muscles may be
similarly explained.
It has been supposed that the intrinsic tone of which we are
speaking is dependent on some local nervous mechanism, on peri-
pheral ganglia, for instance ; in the ear, at least, no such mechan-
ism has yet been found ; and, indeed, as we have already urged, it
does not seem necessary to appeal to any such special peripheral
nervous mechanism. In the case both of a vessel governed by
vaso-dilator fibres and of one governed by vaso-constrictor fibres,
we may suppose a certain natural condition of the muscular fibres
which we may call a condition of equilibrium. In a vessel
governed only by vaso-dilator fibres, if there be such, this condition
of equilibrium is the parmanent condition of the muscular fibre,
from which it is disturbed by vaso-dilator impulses, but to which
it speedily returns. In a vessel governed by vaso-constrictor fibres,
and subject to tone, the muscular fibre is habitually kept on the
constrictor side of this equilibrium, and, as in the cases quoted
above, may strive of itself towards some amount of active constric-
tion even when separated from the central nervous system. And
apart from the influences of the central nervous system, the equilib-
rium may be disturbed by the changes going on in the tissue
itself in which the blood vessels lie.
But to return to the bulbar vaso-motor centre. Without
attempting to discuss the matter fully, we may say that, after all
due weight has been attached to the play of inhibitory impulses
or ' shock ' as the result of operative interference, there still
remains a balance of evidence in favour of the view that the
region of the spinal bulb of which we are speaking does really act
as a general vaso-motor centre in the manner previously explained,
and plays an important part in the vaso-motor regulation of the
living body.
It is not, however, to be regarded as a single vaso-motor
centre, whence alone can issue tonic constrictor impulses, or
whither afferent impulses from this or that part of the body must
always travel before they can affect the vaso-constrictor impulses
passing along this or tliat nerve. We are rather to suppose
that the spinal cord along its whole length contains, interlaced
with the reflex and other mechanisms by winch the skeletal
muscles are governed, vaso-motor centres and mechanisms of varied
complexity, the details of whose functions and topography have yet
350 SUMMARY OF VASO-MOTOR ACTIONS. [Book i.
largely to be worked out. As in the absence of the sinus venosus
the auricles and ventricle of the frog's heart may still continue to
beat, so in the absence of the spinal bulb these spinal vaso-
motor centres provide for the vascular emergencies which arise.
As, however, in the normal entire frog's heart, the sinus, so to speak,
gives the word and governs the work of the whole organ, so the
bulbar vaso-motor centre rules and co-ordinates the lesser
centres of the cord, and through them presides over the chief
vascular areas of the body. By means of these vaso-motor central
mechanisms, by means of the head centre in the bulb, and the
subsidiary centres in the spinal cord, the delicate machinery of
the circulation, which determines the blood supply, and so the
activity of each tissue and organ, is able to respond by narrow-
ing or widening arteries to the ever-varying demands, and to
meet by compensating changes the shocks and strains of daily
life.
§ 178. We may sum up the history of vaso-motor actions
somewhat as follows.
In the case of at least a very large number of the arteries of
the body, we have direct experimental evidence that these arteries
are connected with the central nervous system by nerve fibres,
called vaso-motor fibres, the action of which varies the amount of
contraction of the muscular coats of the arteries and so leads to
changes in calibre. The action of these vaso-motor fibres is more
manifest, and probably more important in the case of small and
minute arteries than in the case of large ones.
These vaso-motor fibres are of two kinds. The one kind, vaso-
constrictor fibres, are of such a nature or have such connections
at their peripheral endings that stimulation of them produces
narrowing, constriction of the arteries. During life, these fibres
appear to be the means by which the central nervous system exerts
a continued tonic influence on the arteries, and maintains an
arterial ' tone ; ' and this arterial tone may be modified by the
action of the central nervous system, so as to give place on the one
hand to constriction and on the other to widening. The other kind,
vaso-dilator fibres, are of such a kind, or have such connections,
that stimulation of them produces widening, dilation of the arteries.
There is no adequate evidence that these vaso-dilator fibres serve
as channels for tonic dilating impulses or influences.
The vaso-constrictor fibres leave the spinal cord by the anterior
roots of the nerves coming from the middle region only of the
spinal cord. In the dog, this region extends from about the first
or second thoracic to the fourth or fifth lumbar nerve ; and in
other animals is probably of corresponding extent. Leaving the
spinal nerves by the respective visceral branches, rami communi-
cantes, the fibres pass into the sympathetic system, the majority
joining the main sympathetic chain of ganglia in the thorax and
abdomen, but some, for instance those going to certain parts of
CiiAP. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 351
the intestine and some other viscera, leaving that chain on one
side and passing directly to more peripheral ganglia, such as the
solar plexus and the inferior mesenteric ganglia. From the
sympathetic chain the fibres run to their destination in such
nerves as the cervical sympathetic and splanchnic, those allotted
to the skin of the limbs and trunk running back again to join the
respective spinal nerves. In the ganglia of the sympathetic chain
or in other more peripheral ganglia the fibres lose their medulla,
and continue their course as non-medullated fibres.
In the intact organism the emission and distribution alonij
these vaso-constrictor fibres of tonic constrictor impulses, by which
general and local arterial tone is maintained and regulated, is
governed by a limited portion of the spinal Ijulb known as the
bulbar vaso-motor centre ; and when some change of conditions or
other natural stimulus brings about a change in the activity of the
vaso-constrictor fibres of one or more vascular areas, or of all the
arteries supplied with vaso-constrictor fibres, this same bulbar
vaso-motor centre appears in such cases to play the part of a centre
of reflex action. Nevertheless, in cases where the nervous con-
nections of this bulbar vaso-motor centre with a vascular area are
cut off by an operation, as by section of the cord, other parts of
the spinal cord may act as centres for the vaso-constrictor fibres of
the area, and possibly these subordinate centres may be to a certain
extent in action in the intact organism.
The vaso-dilator fibres of whose existence we have clear and
undisputed experimental evidence, are very limited in distribution.
In the cases best known, the fibres leave certain regions of the
central nervous system and proceed to their destination along
certain cerebro-spinal nerves ; they do not lose their medulla until
they approach their termination. But, as we have seen, there is
evidence of vaso-dilator fibres also running in nerves of the
sympathetic system. The vaso-dilator fibres are generally thrown
into action as part of a reflex act, and the centre, in the reflex act,
appears in each case to lie in the central nervous system not far
from the origin of the ordinary motor fibres which the dilator
fibres accompany.
The effects of the activity of the vaso-dilator fibres appear to be
essentially local in nature. When any set of the fibres come into
action. the vascular area which these govern is dilated; and the
vascular areas so governed are relatively so small that changes in
them produce little or no effect on the vascular sy.stem in general ;
the fibres are called into play to produce special effects in special
organs.
The effects of changes in the activity of the vaso-constrictor
fibres are both local and general. They are also double in
nature ; by an inhibit on of tonic constrictor impulses a certain
amount of dilation may be effected ; by an augmentation of
constrictor impulses, constriction, it may be of considerable extent,
352 EXAMPLES OF VASO-MOTOR ACTIONS. [Book t.
may be brought about. When the vascular area so affected is
small, the effects are local, more or less blood is distributed through
the area ; when the vascular area affected is large, the inhibition
of constriction may lead to a marked fall, and an augmentation of
constriction to a marked rise of general blood pressure. Broadly
speaking, we may say that whenever a vascular change is needed
for the general well-being of the economy, it is this vaso-constrictor
system which is called into play.
The distribution of clearly proved vaso-dilator fibres is, as we
have said, very limited, and even the vaso-constrictor fibres are
most abundant in the nerves going to the skin and to the viscera.
In respect to the arteries supplying the numerous skeletal muscles,
there is much dispute as to whether they are supplied by vaso-
dilator fibres ; and the supply of vaso-constrictor fibres to them
is at least not large. We may perhaps infer that the vascular
changes in the muscles are intended chiefly for the benefit of
the muscles themselves, and are not to any great extent, like those
of the skin and viscera, utilized for the more general purposes
of the economy.
§ 179. We shall have occasion later on again and again to
point out instances of the effects of vaso-motor action both local
and general, but we may here quote one or two characteristic
examples. " Blushing " is one. Nervous impulses started in some
parts of the brain by an emotion produce a powerful inhibition of
that part of the bulbar vaso-motor centre which governs the
vascular areas of the head supplied by the cervical sympathetic,
and hence has an effect on the vaso-motor fibres of the cervical
sympathetic almost exactly the same as that produced by section
of the nerve. In consequence the muscular walls of the arteries of
the head and face relax, the arteries dilate and the whole region
becomes suffused. Sometimes an emotion gives rise not to blushing,
but to the opposite effect, viz. to pallor of the face. In a great
number of cases this has quite a different cause, being due to a
sudden diminution or even temporary arrest of the heart's beats ;
but in some cases it may occur without any change in the beat of
the heart, and is then due to a condition the very converse of that
of blushing, that is, to an increased arterial constriction ; and this
increased constriction, like the dilation of blushing, is effected
through the agency of the central nervous system and the cervical
sympathetic. Blushing and its opposite pallor are most marked in
the face ; but other parts of the body may blush (or grow pale)
the change being brought about by appropriate nerves.
The vascular condition of the skin at large affords another
instance. When the temperature of the air is low the vessels of the
skin are constricted, and the skin is pale ; when the temperature of
the air is high the vessels of the skin are dilated, and the skin is
red and flushed. In both these cases the effect is mainly a reflex one,
it being the central nervous system which brings about augmen-
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 353
tation of constriction in the one case and inliiliiUon in the other;
though possibly some slight effect is produced by the direct local
action of the cold or heat on the vessels of the skin. Moreover,
the vascular changes in the skin are accompanied by corresponding
vascular changes in the viscera (chiefly abdominal) of a reverse
kind. When the vessels of the skin are dilated, those of the
viscera are constricted, and vice versa ; so that a considerable
portion of the whole blood ebbs and Hows, so to speak, according
to circumstances, from skin to viscera and from viscera to skin.
By these changes, as we shall see later on, the maintenance of the
normal temperature of the body is in large measure secured.
We shall see later on that the secretion of urine is in a peculiar
way dependent on the flow of blood through the kidney. A very
favourable condition for this flow is a dilated condition of the renal
arteries coincident with a high general blood pressure, and this
condition, as we shall see, leads to a copious secretion of urine.
The high general blood pressure in this case is largely caused
by very general arterial constriction, leading to great increase
of peripheral resistance, while the dilated state of the renal arteries
appears to be due to a lack of the usual tonic constrictor impulses;
though these constrictor impulses are increased in respect to other
arteries, they are diminished in respect to the renal arteries
themselves.
When food is placed in the mouth the blood vessels of the
salivary glands, as we have seen, are flushed with blood as an
adjuvant to the secretion of digestive fluid ; and as the food
passes along the alimentary canal each section in turn, with
the glandular appendages belonging to it, welcomes its advent by
flushing with blood. As we have already said, we have, at present,
no satisfactory evidence, except in the case of the salivary glands,
that this flushing is carried out by special vaso-dilator nerves. Along
the rest of the alimentary canal the widening of the arteries, and
thus the increased flow seems to be brought about by diminution
of vaso-constrictor impulses, so far, at least, as it is ensured by
the intervention of the central nervous system. We say 'so far'
because, as we shall see, we have evidence that the vessels of the
kidney may change in calibre independently of any influences
proceeding from the central nervous system, after, for instance, all
the nerves going to the kidney have been divided ; in such cases
the changes in the calibre of the renal vessels seem to be due to
some direct local action ; and it is possible that the flushing of
the alimentary canal when food enters it is similarly, in part or at
times, tlie result of some local action on the blood vessels.
§ 180. Vaso-motor nerves of the Veins. Although the veins
are provided with muscular fibres and are distinctly contractile,
and although rhythmic variations of calibre due to contractions
may be seen in the great veins opening into the heart, in the veins
of the bat's wing, and elsewhere, our knowledge as to any nervous
554 VASO-MOTOE NERVES OF THE VEINS. [Book l
arrangements governing the veins is at present very limited. The
portal vein, the walls of which are conspicuously muscular, the
muscular fibres being arranged both as a circular and as a longi-
tudinal coat, is like the veins just mentioned subject to rhythmic
variations of calibre ; these might be due to active rhythmic
contractions of the portal vein itself or might be of a passive
nature, due to a rhythmic rise and fall in the quantity of blood
discharged into it from the vessels of the viscera. The former
view is supported by the observation that after the aorta has been
obstructed, so that no blood can pass into the portal vein from the
mesenteric and other arteries, contractions of the portal vein may
be obtained by stimulating the splanchnic nerves. The great
distension of the venous system with blood which occurs in the
frog when the brain and spinal cord are destroyed, and which
renders the heart almost bloodless, the greater part of the blood
being lodged in the veins, has also been supposed to point to some
normal tone of the veins dependent on the central nervous
system.
SEC. 7. THE CAPILLARY CIRCULATION.
§ 181. We have already, some time back (§ 117), mentioned
some of the salient features of the circulation through the capil-
laries, viz. the difficult passage of the corpuscles (generally in
single file, though sometimes in the larger channels two or
more abreast) and plasma through the narrow channels, in a
stream which though more or less irregular is steady and even, not
broken by pulsations, and slower than that in either the arteries
or the veins. We have further seen (§ 106^) that the capillaries
vary very much in width from time to titne ; and there can be
no doubt that the changes in their calibre are chiefly of a passive
nature. They are expanded when a large supply of blood reaches
them through the supplying arteries, and, by virtue of their
elasticity, shrink again when the supply is lessened or withdrawn ;
they may also become expanded by an obstacle to the venous
outflow.
On the other hand, as we have also stated, there is a certain
amount of evidence that, in young animals at all events, the calibre
of a capillary canal may vary, quite independently of the arterial
supply or the venous outflow, in consequence of changes in the
form of the epithelioid cells, allied to the changes which in a
muscle-fibre or muscle-cell constitute a contraction ; and though
the matter requires further investigation, it is possible that these
active changes play an important part in determining the quantity
of blood passing through a capillary area ; but there is as yet no
satisfactory evidence that they, like the corresponding changes in
the arteries, are governed by the nervous system.
Over and above these changes of form, the capillaries and minute
vessels are subject to still other changes, and so ex-ert influences by
virtue of which they play an important part in the work of the
circulation. Their condition determines the amount of resistance
offered by their channels to the flow of blood through those
channels, and determines the amount and character of that inter-
change between the blood and the tissues which is the main fact
of the circulation.
356 IJ^FLAMMATIOK [Book i.
If the web of the frog's foot, or, better still, if some transparent
tissue of a mammal be watched under the microscope, it will be ob-
served that, while in the small capillaries the corpuscles are pressed
through the channel in single file, one after the other, each corpuscle
as it passes occupying the whole bore of the capillary, in the larger
capillaries (of the mammal), and especially in the small arteries
and veins which permit the passage of more than one corpuscle
abreast, the red corpuscles run in the middle of the channel, forming
a coloured core, between which and the sides of the vessels all
round is a colourless layer, containing no red corpuscles, called
the ' plasmatic layer ' or ' peripheral zone.' This division into a
peripheral zone and an axial stream is due to the fact that in any
stream passing through a closed channel the friction is greatest
at the sides, and diminishes towards the axis. The corpuscles
pass where the friction is least, in the axis. A quite similar axial
core is seen when any fine particles are driven with a sufficient
velocity in a stream of fluid through a narrow tube. As the
velocity is diminished the axial core becomes less marked and
disappears.
In the peripheral zone, especially in that of the veins, are
frequently seen white corpuscles, sometimes clinging to the sides
of the vessel, sometimes rolling slowly along, and in general moving
irregularly, stopping for a while and then suddenly moving on.
The greater the velocity of the flow of blood, the fewer the white
corpuscles in the peripheral zone, and with a very rapid flow they,
as well as the red corpuscles, may be all confined to the axial
stream. The presence of the white corpuscles in the peripheral
zone has been attributed to their being specifically lighter than
the red corpuscles, since when fine particles of two kinds, one lighter
than the other, are driven through a narrow tube, the heavier
particles flow in the axis and the lighter in the more peripheral
portions of the stream. But, besides this, the white corpuscles
have a greater tendency to adhere to surfaces than have the red,
as is seen by the manner in which the former become fixed to
the glass slide and cover-slip when a drop of blood is mounted
for microscopical examination. They probably thus adhere by
virtue of the amoeboid movements of their protoplasm, so that the
adhesion is to be considered not so much a mere physical as a
physiological process, and hence may be expected to vary with the
varying nutritive conditions of the corpuscles and of the blood
vessels. Thus while the appearance of the white corpuscles in the
peripheral zone may be due to their lightness, their temporary
attachment to the sides of the vessels and characteristic progression
is the result of their power to adhere ; and as we shall presently
see their amoeboid movements may carry them on beyond mere
adhesion.
§ 182. These are the phenomena of the normal circulation,
and may be regarded as indicating a state of equilibrium between
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 357
the bluud uii the one hand and the bhjud ves.sels with the tissues
ou the other ; but a different state of things sets in when that
equilibrium is overthrown by causes leading to what is called
intlaniniation or to allied conditions.
If an irritant, such as a drop of chloroform or a little diluted
oil of mustard, be applied to a small pcntion of a frog's web, tongue,
mesentery, or some other transparent tissue, the following changes
may be observed under the microscope ; they may be still better seen
in the mesentery or other transparent tissue of a mammal. The
first effect that is noticed is a dilation of the arteries, accompanied
by a quickening of the stream. The irritant, probably l)y a direct
action on the muscular fibres of the arteries, has led to a re-
laxation of the muscular coat, and hence to a widening ; and we
have already, § 123, explained how such a widening in a small
artery may lead to a temporary quickening of the stream. In
consequence of the greater iiow through the arteries, the capillaries
become filled with corpuscles, and many passages, previously
invisible or nearly so on account of their containing no corpuscles,
now come into view. The veins at the same time appear enlarged
and full. If the stimulus be very slight, this may all pass away,
the arteries gaining their normal constriction, and the capillaries
and veins returning to their normal condition ; in other words, the
effect of the stimulus in such a case is simply a temporary blush.
Unless, however, the chloroform or mustard be applied w4th especial
care, the effects are much more profound, and a series of remarkable
changes set in.
In the normal circulation, as we have just said, white corpuscles
may be seen in the peripheral, plasmatic zone, but they are scanty
in number, and each one, after staying for a little time in one spot,
suddenly gets free, sometimes almost by a jerk as it were, and then
rolls on for a greater or less distance. In the area now under
consideration a large number of white corpuscles soon gather in
the peripheral zones, especially of the veins and venous capillaries
(that is of the larger capillaries which are joining to form veins),
but also, to a less extent, of the arteries ; and this takes place
although the vessels still remain dilated, and the stream still
continues rapid, though not so rapid as at first. Each white
corpuscle appears to exhibit a greater tendency to stick to the
sides of the vessels, and though driven away from the arteries
by the stronger arterial stream, becomes lodged, so to speak, in the
veins. Since new white corpuscles are continually being brought
by the blood stream on to the scene, the number of them in the
peripheral zones of the veins increases more and more, and this
may go on until the inner surface of the veins and venous
capillaries appears to be lined with a layer of white corpuscles.
The small capillaries, too, contain more white corpuscles than
usual, and even in the arteries these are abundant, though not
forming the distinct layer seen in the veins. The white cor-
358 MIGRATION OF WHITE CORPUSCLES. [Book i.
puscles, however, are not the only bodies present in the peri-
pheral zone. Though in the normal circulation blood-platelets
(see § 33) cannot be seen in the peripheral zone, and hence (on
the view, which has the greater support, that these bodies are
really present in quite normal blood) must be confined to the axial
stream, they make their appearance in that zone during the
changes which we are now describing. Indeed, in many cases they
are far more abundant than the white corpuscles, the latter appear-
ing imbedded at intervals in masses of the former. Soon after
their appearance the individual platelets lose their outline, and run
together into formless masses.
§ 183. This much, the appep-rance of numerous white cor-
puscles and platelets in the peripheral zones, may take place while
the stream, though less rapid than at the very first, still remains
rapid ; so rapid at all events that, owing to the increased width
of the passages, in spite of the obstruction offered by the adherent
white corpuscles, the total quantity of blood flowing in a given
time through the inflamed area is greater than normal. But
soon, though the vessels still remain dilated, the stream is observed
most distinctly to slacken, and then a remarkable phenomenon
makes its appearance. The white corpuscles lying in contact with
the walls of the veins or of the capillaries are seen to thrust processes
through the walls ; and, the process of a corpuscle increasing at the
expense of the rest of the body of the corpuscle, the whole cor-
puscle, by what appears to be an example of amoeboid movement,
makes its way through the wall of the vessel into the lymph
space outside ; the perforation appears to take place in the cement
substance joining the epithelioid plates together. This is the
migration of the white corpuscles to which we alluded in § 32, and
takes place chiefly in the veins and capillaries, not at all or to a
very slight extent in the arteries. Through this migration the
lymph spaces around the vessels in the inflamed area become
crowded with white corpuscles. At the same time fluid passes
from the interior of the blood vessels through the altered walls
into the lymph spaces more rapidly than it escapes from the
lymph spaces along the lymphatic channels ; these lymph spaces
become distended with lymph, which also changes somewhat in its
chemical characters ; it tends to clot more readily and more firmly,
and is sometimes spoken of as ' exudation fluid,' or by the older
writers as 'coagulable lymph.' This turgescence of the lymph
spaces, together with the dilated crowded condition of the blood
vessels, gives rise to the swelling which is one of the features of
inflammation.
If the inflammation now passes off the white corpuscles cease to
emigrate, cease to stick for any length of time to the sides of the
vessels, the stream of blood through the vessels quickens again, and
the vessels themselves, though they may remain for a long time
dilated, eventually regain their calibre, and a normal circulation is
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 359
re-established. The migrated corpuscles move away from the
region along the labyrinth of lyjuph spaces, and the surplus lymph
also passes away along the lymph spaces and lymphatic vessels.
A more powerful action of the irritant may lead to still other
events. More and more whit(i corpuscles, arrested in their passage,
crowd the channels and block the way, so that though the vessels
remain dilated, the stream becomes slower and slower, until at last
it stops altogether, and ' stagnation ' or ' stasis ' sets in. The red
corpuscles are driven in, often in masses, among the white cor-
puscles and platelets, the distinction between axial stream and
peripheral zone becoming lost ; and arteries, veins and capillaries,
all distended, sometimes enormously so, are filled with a mass of
mingled red and white corpuscles and platelets. The red corpuscles
run together so that their outlines are no longer distinguishable ;
they appear to become fused into a homogeneous red mass. And
it may now be observed that, not only white corpuscles but also
red corpuscles, make their way through the distended and altered
walls of the capillaries, chiefly, at all events, at the junctions of
the epithelioid plates, into the lymph spaces beyond. This is
spoken of as the diapedesis of the red corpuscles.
This condition of 'stasis' may be the prelude to further
mischief, and, indeed, to the death of the tissue, but it, too, like the
earlier stage of inflammation, may pass away. As it passes away
the outlines of the corpuscles become once more distinct, those on
the venous side of the block gradually drop away into the neigh-
bouring currents, little '-y little the whole obstruction is removed,
and the current through the area is re-established.
■ § 184. The slowing or the arrest of the blood current described
above is not due to any lessening of the heart's beat ; the arterial
pulsations, or at least the arterial flow, may be seen to be continued
in full force down to the affected area, and there to cease very
suddenly. It is not due to the peripheral resistance being
increased by any constriction of the small arteries, for these
continue dilated, sometimes exceedingly so. It must, therefore, be
due to some new and unusual resistance occurring in the area itself,
and this we are by many reasons led to attribute to an increased
tendency of the corpuscles, especially of the white corpuscles, to
stick to the sides of the vessels. The increase of adhesiveness is
not caused by any change confined to the corpuscles themselves ;
for if after a temporary delay one set of corpuscles has managed to
pass away from the affected area, the next set of corpuscles brought
to the area in the blood stream is subjected to the same delay.
The cause of the increased adhesiveness must therefore lie in the
walls of the blood vessels, or in the tissue of which these form a
part. That the increased adhesion is due to the vascular walls and
not primarily to the corpuscles themselves is further shewn by the
fact that if, in the frog, an artificial blood of normal saline solution,
to which milk has been added, be substituted for normal blood, a
360 INFLAMMATION. [Book i.
stasis may by irritants be induced in which oil-globules play the
part of corpuscles, and by their aggregation bring about an arrest
of the flow.
We are led to conclude that there exist in health certain
relations between the blood on the one hand, and the walls of the
vessels on the other, by which the tendency of the corpuscles to
adhere to the blood vessels is kept within certain limits ; these
relations consequently determine the normal flow, with its axial
stream and peripheral zone, and the normal amount of peripheral
resistance ; in inflammation, these relations, in a manner we
cannot as yet fully explain, are disturbed so that the tendency
of the corpuscles to adhere to the sides of the vessels is largely
and progressively increased. Hence the tarrying of the corpuscles
in spite of the widening of their path, and finally their agglomera-
tion and fusion in the distended channels.
The changes occurring in the vascular walls at the same time
also modify the passage from the blood to the tissue of the fluid
parts of the blood, the lymph of inflamed areas being more
abundant and richer in proteids than normal lymph. There is a
greater outflow from the interior of the blood vessel into the
lymph spaces outside, and, indeed, it has been urged that this,
carrying the blood corpuscles with it, mechanically promotes the
gathering of the white corpuscles at the sides of the vessel and
their subsequent passage through the walls.
We must not, however, pursue this subject of inflammation any
further. We have said enough to shew that the peripheral re-
sistance (and consequently all that depends on that peripheral
resistance) is not wholly determined by the varying width of the
minute passages, but is also dependent on the vital condition of
the tissue of which the walls of the passages form a part. When
the tissue is in health, a certain resistance is offered to the
passage of blood through the capillaries and other minute vessels,
and the whole vascular mechanism is adapted to overcome this
resistance to such an extent that a normal circulation can take
place. When the tissue becomes affected, the disturbance of the
relations between the tissue and the blood may so augment the re-
sistance that the passage of the blood becomes, as in inflammation,
difficult, or, as in stasis, impossible. And it is quite open to us to
suppose that under certain circumstances the reverse of the above
may occur in this or that area, that conditions may arise in which
the resistance is lowered below the normal, and the circulation in
the area quickened. Thus the vital condition of the tissue becomes
a factor in the maintenance of the circulation ; and it is possible,
though not yet proved, that these vital conditions are directly
under the dominion of the nervous system.
§ 185. Changes in the peripheral resistance may also be
brought about by changes in the character of the blood, especially
by changes in the relative amount of gases present. When a
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. .301
stream of dulibiinated blood is artificially driven through a
perfectly fresh excised organ, such as the kidney, it is found that
the resistance to the liow of blood through the organ, measured,
for instance, by the amount of outflow in relation to the pressure
exerted, varies considerably owing to changes taking place in the
organ, and may be increased by increasing tiie venous character,
and diminished by increasing the arterial character of the blood.
Remarkable changes in the resistance are also brought about by
the addition of small quantities of certain drugs such as chloral,
atropin &c. to the blood.
These changes have been attributed to the altered blood acting
on the walls of the vessels, inducing, for instance, constriction or
widening of the small arteries, or, it may be, affecting the capil-
laries, for it has been asserted that the epithelioid plates of the
capillaries vary in form according to the relative quantities of
carbonic acid and oxygen present in the blood. But this is nut
the whole explanation of the matter, since similar variations in
resistance are met with when blood is driven through tine capil-
lary tubes of inert matter. In such experiments it is found that
the resistance to the flow increases with a diminution of the
oxygen carried by the red corpuscles, and is modified by the
addition to the blood of even small quantities of certain drugs.
It is obvious, then, that in the living body the peripheral
resistance, being the outcome of complex conditions, may be
modified in many ways. Experiment teaches us that, even in
dealing with non-living inert matter, the flow of fluid through
capillary tubes may be modified on the one hand by changes in
the substance of which the tubes are composed, and on the other
hand by changes in the chemical nature (even independent of the
specific gravity) of the fluid which is used. In the living body
both the fluid and the tubes, both the blood and the walls of the
minute vessels, are subject to incessant change ; the vessels are
continually changing because they are living structures, and the
blood is continually changing not only because it too is in part at
least alive, but also because all the tissues of the body are working
upon it. The changes in the one, moreover, are capable of reacting
upon and inducing changes in the other ; and, lastly, the changes
both of the one and of the other may be primarily set going by
events taking place in some part of the body far away from the
region in which these changes are modifying the resistance to the
flow.
SEC. 8. CHANGES IN THE QUANTITY OF BLOOD.
§ 186. In an artificial scheme, changes in the total quantity of
fluid in circulation will have an immediate and direct effect on the
arterial pressure, increase of the quantity heightening and decrease
diminishing it. This effect will be produced partly by the pump
being more or less filled at each stroke, and partly by the peri-
pheral resistance being increased or diminished by the greater
or less fulness of the small peripheral channels. The pressure
along the whole system and hence the venous pressure will under
all circumstances be raised with the increase of fluid, but an
increase of the arterial pressure beyond that of the venous pressure
will be observed only so long as the elasticity of the arterial tubes
can be brought into play.
In the natural circulation, the direct results of change of quan-
tity are modified by compensatory arrangements. Thus experi-
ment shews the following when an animal with normal blood
pressure is bled from one carotid. The pressure in the other
carotid sinks so long as the bleeding is going on ; this is chiefly
because the free opening in the vessel, from which the bleeding is
going on, cuts off a great deal of the peripheral resistance, and so
leads to a general lowering of the blood pressure. It remains
depressed for a brief period after the bleeding has ceased, but
in a short time regains or nearly regains the normal height.
This recovery of blood pressure, after haemorrhage, is witnessed so
long as the loss of blood does not amount to more than about 3 per
cent, of the body-weight. Beyond that, a large and frequently a
sudden dangerous permanent depression is observed.
The restoration of the pressure after the cessation of the
bleeding is too rapid to permit us to suppose that the quantity of
fluid in the blood vessels is replaced by the withdrawal of lymph
from the extra-vascular elements of the tissues. In all probability
the result is gained by an increased action of the vaso-constrictor
nerves increasing the peripheral resistance, the vaso-motor centre
being thrown into increased action by the diminution of its
blood supply ; when the blood by ligature of the arteries in the
CiiAP. IV.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 363
neck is suddenly cut off from the brain and so from the spinal
bulb, a rise of blood pressure is observed. When the loss of blood
has gone beyond a certain limit, tliis vaso-constrictor action is
insufficient to compensate the diminished quantity (possibly the
vaso-motor centre in part becomes exhausted), and a considerable
depression takes place; but at this epoch the loss of blood
frequently causes ansemic convulsions.
Similarly, when an additional quantity of blood is injected into
the vessels, no marked increase of blood pressure is observed so
long as the vaso-motor centre in the spinal bulb is intact. If,
however, the cervical spinal cord be divided previous to the in-
jection, the pressure, which, on account of the removal of the
bulbar vaso-motor centre, is very low, is permanently raised by the
injection of blood. At each injection the pressure rises ; it falls
somewhat afterwards, but eventually remains at a higher level than
before. This rise is stated to continue until the amount of blood
in the vessels above the normal quantity reaches from 2 to 3
per cent, of the body-weight, beyond which point it is said no
further rise of pressure occurs. The absence of any marked rise
of blood pressure, so long as the bulbar vaso-motor centre is intact,
shews that the addition of the extra quantity of blood stimulates
that centre to increased activity. But while a diminution of blood
supply seems to affect the centre directly, an increase of blood
supply probably acts in an indirect manner. When the arteries
in the neck are ligatured, the rise of blood pressure is much more
marked if the depressor nerves be divided ; so long as these
nerves are intact impulses passing along them from the heart
withstand the stimulating effects on the vaso-motor centre of the
loss of blood. And we may perhaps infer that when an extra
quantity of blood is injected, the greater fulness stimulates
the endings of the depressor nerves in the heart, and so by
developing depressor impulses lessens the activity of the vaso-
motor centre.
The facts stated seem, then, to shew, in the first place, tliatwlien
the volume of the blood is increased, compensation is ettectod l)y
a lessening of the peripheral resistance by means of a diminished
action of the vaso-motor centre, so that the normal blood pressure
remains constant. They further shew that a much greater quantity
of blood can be lodged in the blood vessels than is normally present
in them. That the additional quantity injected does remain in
the vessels is proved by the absence of extravasations, and of any
considerable increase of the extra-vascular lymphatic liuids. It
has already been insisted that, in health, the veins and capillaries
must be regarded as being far from filled ; for were they to receive
all the blood which they can, even at a low pressure, hold, the
whole quantity of blood in the body would be lodged in them
alone. In these cases of large addition of blood, the extra quantity
appears to be lodged in the small veins and capillaries (especially
364 CHANGES IN QUANTITY OF BLOOD. [Book i.
of the internal organs), which are abnormally distended to contain
the surplus.
We learn, also, from these facts the two practical lessons : first,
that blood pressure cannot be lowered directly in a mechanical
manner by bleeding, unless the quantity removed be dangerously
large ; and secondly, that there is no necessary connection between
a high blood pressure and fulness of blood or plethora, since an
enormous quantity of blood may be driven into the vessels without
any marked rise of pressure.
When a quantity of blood or, indeed, of fluid is injected into
the veins, the output from the heart is increased and observations
seem to shew that the increase in the output is out of proportion
to the quantity of fluid injected, indicating that the result is of
complex origin. In spite of this increased output, the blood
pressure is not raised ; the effect is compensated by vascular
dilation somewhere. Conversely when blood is withdrawn, the
output is diminished, but here again the effect on the blood
pressure is soon compensated, this time by vascular constriction.
SEC. 9. A REVIEW OF SOME OF THE FEATURES OF
THE CIRCULATION.
§ 187. The facts dwelt on in the foregoing sections have
shewn us that the factors of the vascular mechanism may be
regarded as of two kinds: one constant, or approximately constant;
the other variable.
The constant factors are supplied by the length, natural bore,
and distribution of the blood vessels, by the extensibility and
elastic reaction of their walls, and by such mechanical contrivances
as the valves. By the natural bore of the various blood vessels is
meant the diameter which each would assume if the muscular
fibres were wholly at rest, and the pressure of fluid within the
vessel were equal to the pressure outside. It is obvious, however,
that even these factors are only approximately constant for the
life of an individual. The length and distribution of the vessels
change with the growth of the whole body or parts of the body,
and the physical qualities of the walls, especially of the arterial
walls, their extensibility and elastic reaction change continually
with the age of the individual. As the body grows older, the once
supple and elastic arteries become more and more stiff and rigid,
and often in middle life, or it may be earlier, a lessening of arterial
resilience which proportionately impairs the value of the vascular
mechanism as an agent of nutrition, marks a step towards the
grave.
The chief variable factors are on tlie one hand the beat of the
heart, and on the other the peripheral resistance, the variations in
the latter being chiefly brought about by muscular contraction or
relaxation in the minute arteries, but also, though to what extent
has not yet been accurately determined, by the condition of the
minute vessels according to which the blood can pass through
them with less or with greater ease, as well as by tlie character
of the circulating blood.
These two chief variables, the beat of the heart and the widtli
of the minute arteries, are known to be governed and regulated by
the central nervous system, which adapts each to the circumstances
366 INTEINSIC REGULATION OF HEAET BEAT. [Book i.
of the moment, and at the same time brings the two into mutual
dependence ; but the central nervous system is not the only means
of government : there are other modes of regulation, and so other
safeguards.
§ 188. Let us first consider the heart. The object, if we may
use the expression, of the systole of the ventricle is to secure
the needed arterial pressure ; it is this, as we have seen, which
drives the blood through the capillaries back to the heart. To do
this the ventricle must deliver at the stroke a certain quantity of
blood, exerting the pressure required to lodge the blood in the
arteries, and repeating the stroke at appropriate intervals. Hence
the work done will, in part, depend on the quantity of blood
collected in the ventricle during the diastole, that is, on the inflow
from the venous system. If the quantity brought be too small,
then though the whole contents of the ventricle be ejected with
adequate force at each stroke, and the stroke repeated regularly,
the ventricle will fail in its object ; speaking generally we may
say that a lessened venous inflow will tend to lessen, and an
increased venous inflow will tend to increase the work of the heart.
This venous inflow is dependent on various causes, and may be
variously modified by various events.
The blood in filling the ventricle distends its walls, and this
distension, especially the fuller distension resulting from the
auricular systole, also influences the ventricular stroke ; for the
contraction of the cardiac fibre, like that of the skeletal muscular
fibre, is increased up to a certain limit by the fibre being put on
the stretch (§ 162). This influence, however, is more distinctly
seen on the arterial side. The greater the arterial pressure
against which the ventricle has to deliver its contents, the greater
the tension of the ventricular walls ; and hence, a high arterial
pressure tends of itself to enforce the ventricular systole. As in
the skeletal muscle, however, this beneficial infiuence soon reaches
its limit.
§ 189. The spontaneous beat of the heart is the outcome of
the nutrition of the cardiac tissues. In the absence of all inter-
ference by inhibitory or augmentor fibres, the heart will continue
beating with a certain rhythm and force, determined by the
metabolism going on in its muscular and nervous elements. We
have seen that the energy set free in an ordinary skeletal muscle,
in response to a stimulus, may vary from nothing to a maximum,
according to the metabolism going on, according to the nutritive
vigour of the muscular fibres. The spontaneous rhythmic beat of
the cardiac substance may be regarded as the outcome of a
metabolism more highly pitched, more elaborate, of a higher order
than that which simply furnishes the ordinary skeletal fibre with
mere irritability towards stimuli. All the more readily, therefore,
may the beat be expected to be infiuenced by anything which
affects the metabolism of the cardiac substance. It is, in fact,
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 367
by altering in diflerent directions these metabolic changes, even
though the basis of the metabolism, the supply of blood to the
cardiac tissues, may remain the same in quantity and (|uality,
that the inhibitory and augmentor nerves produce their respective
effects. In old age the cardiac substance, through intrinsic changes,
the accumulated result of the events of a lifetime, is unable to
avail itself fully of the advantages which the bhxjd, though, like the
heart, somewhat deteriorated, is still able to furnish; and we may
conceive that, in a somewhat analogous manner, apart from
changes of the blood supply and from extrinsic nervous influences,
the beat of the heart may vary by reason of intrinsic molecular
changes, whose origin we cannot at present trace. But the more
obvious and direct cause of changes in the nutrition, and so in
the behaviour of the heart lies in changes in the quantity and
quality of the blood supplied to the cardiac tissues. In the
mammal this means the quantity and quality of the blood flowing
through the coronary arteries.
If in a mammal the coronary arteries be tied or otherwise
occluded the heart in a few seconds comes to a standstill ; this,
which always results if both arteries be tied, sometimes if one only
be tied, is preceded by an irregularity or by changes in the beat, and
is followed by fibrillar contractions of parts of the ventricles.
This is an extreme case, but it illustrates in a striking manner
how closely the rhythmic contraction of the cardiac fibres is
dependent on the blood supply.
The quantity of blood flowing through the coronary arteries is
dependent on the pressure in the aorta, or rather on the difference
between that pressure and the pressure in the right auricle into
which the coronary veins open, and on the resistance offered by
the coronary vessels. Hence with a high aortic pressure, more
blood passes to the cardiac tissue. This is at least favourable to
the development of the beat, and may be the direct cause of a
stronger stroke ; indeed, observations seem to shew this. Thus a
high aortic pressure itself helps the heart to the effort necessary
to overcome that high pressure. Conversely, a low aortic pressure
would similarly tend to spare the heart an unnecessary exertion.
As to how the heart may be influenced by changes in the width
of the coronary arteries brought about by vaso-motor action, we
have at present but little definite knowledge.
More important still than the quantity is the quality of the
blood flowing through the coronary vessels. We shall have
occasion in treating of respiration to speak of the manner in
which blood deficient in oxygen or overladen with carbonic acid
affects the beat of the heart; and we may here be content to point
out that every change in the constitution of the blood, whether
arising from the presence of substances such as drugs and poisons,
introduced from without, or of substances manufactured in this
or that tissue of the body, or resulting from the absence or paucity,
368 lEEEGULAR HEAET BEAT. [Book i.
or from excess of one or more of the normal constituents, may
unfavourably or, it may be, favourably affect the heart beat, by
directly influencing the cardiac tissues through the coronary
arteries. These changes in the blood may of course also work
upon the heart through the central nervous system, and this
indirect effect may possibly be different from the direct effect.
Thus, when the breathing is interfered with, the too highly
venous blood, while it acts directly on the cardiac tissues and that
unfavourably, also stimulates the carclio-inhibitory centre, whereby
the heart is slowed and its expenditure of energy lessened.
§ 190. As is well known, the beat of the heart may become
temporarily or permanently irregular. That many hearts go on
beating day after day, year after year, without any such irregu-
larity is u striking proof of the complete balance which usually
obtains between the several factors of which we are speaking.
Sometimes such cardiac irregularities, those of a transient nature
and brief duration, are the results of extrinsic nervous influences.
Some events taking place in the stomach, for instance, give rise to
afferent impulses which, ascending from the mucous membrane of
the stomach along certain afferent fibres of the vagus to the
spinal bulb, so augment the action of the cardio-inhibitory centre
as to stop the heart for a beat or two, the stoppage being frequently
followed by a temporary increase in the rapidity and force of the
beat. Such a passing failure of the heart beat, in its sudden
onset, in its brief duration, and in the reaction which follows, very
closely resembles the complete but temporary inhibition brought
about by artificial stimulation of the vagus. And, as we have
seen, the inhibitory action of the vagus is especially prone to be
set going by afferent impulses passing up to the central nervous
system from the viscera.
The effects, however, which we produce by our rough means
of direct stimulation of the trunk of the vagus do not afford a true
picture of the action of the cardio-inhibitory mechanism in the
living body ; we come nearer to this when we obtain inhibition in
a reflex manner. From the knowledge gained in this way we
may infer that the fainting which comes from pain, emotions and
the like, is due to the action of the inhibitory mechanism.
Several forms of irregular heart beat are probably brought about
by the same mechanism ; we may in this relation call to mind
that one effect of the action of the inhibitory fibres is to produce
not merely slowing or weakening, but distinct irregularity of the
heart beat.
Many observations shew that the cardio-inhibitory mechanism
may be affected by afferent impulses or otherwise in two different
ways. On the one hand, the cardio-inhibitory centre may be
thrown into action, or when already in action may have its action
increased ; on the other hand, if already in action, that action may
be lessened : the inhibition may itself be inhibited. The division
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 309
of both vagus nerves in the dog affords an instance of the effect
on the heart of arresting previously existing iiiliibitory impulses.
Hence it becomes difficult in the complex living body to dis-
tinguish between an augmentation duo to activity of th(i augmentor
mechanism and one due to suspension of the previously active
inhibitory mechanism. The two may probably be distinguished
by studying the details of the behaviour of the heart in the two
cases. Failing this, it is difficult to say whether a case of tliat
irregularity of the heart which we call ' palpitation ' has been
brought about positively by the one mechanism or negatively
by the other.
We must remember, moreover, that irregularity in the heart
beat in at least a large number of cases is the result not of
nervous influences from without, but of intrinsic events. For
instance, in many cases the irregularity of the heart beat is wholly
unaffected by atropin, and therefore cannot be due to vagus
action. It is very often the product of a disordered nutrition of
the cardiac substance. The normal nutrition sets the pace of the
normal rhythm. We cannot explain how this comes about ; nor
can we explain why in one individual the normal pace is set as
low as 50, or even 30 beats a minute, and in another as high as 90
a minute, or even more, while in most persons it is about 70 a
minute. The slower or the quicker pace, though not normal to
the species, must be considered as normal to the individual, for it
may be kept up through long years in an organism capable of
carrying on a normal man's duties and work. So long as we
cannot explain these differences we cannot hope to explain how it
is that a disordered nutrition brings about an irregular heart Wat,
either the more regular irregularity of a " dropping " pulse ; that is,
a failure of sequence rather than an irregularity, or a more dis-
tinctly irregular rhythm. We may, however, distinguish two
kinds of irregularity : one, in which, in spite of all favourable
n,utritive conditions, the cardiac substance cannot secure, even
perhaps for a minute, a steady rhythm ; and another in which the
rhythm, though normal under ordinary circumstances, is, so to
speak, in a condition of unstable equilibrium, so that a very slight
change in conditions, too much or too little blood, or some small
alteration in the composition of the blood, or the advent of some,
it may be slight, nervous impulse, augmentor or inhibitory,
developes a temporary irregularity.
§ 191. No one thing, perhaps, concerning the heart is more
striking than the fact that a heart which lias gone on beating for
many years, with only temporary irregularities, and those few and
far between, a heart which must, therefore, have executed with long-
continued regularity many millions of beats, should suddenly,
apparently without warning, after a brief, flickering struggle, cease
to beat any more. But we must remember that each beat is
an effort, an effort, moreover, which, as we have seen (§ 155), is
24
570 SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF HEART. [Book i.
■the best. which the heart can make at the moment; the accom-
plishment of each beat is, so to speak, a hurdle which has to be
leapt, one of the long series of hurdles which make up the steeple-
chase of life. At any one leap failure may occur ; so long as
failure does not occur, so long as the beat is made, and a fair
proportion of the ventricular contents are discharged into the
great vessels, the chief end is gained, and whether the leap is
made clumsily or well is, relatively considered, of secondary
importance. But if the beat be not made, everything almost
(provided that the miss be due not to vagus inhibition but to
intrinsic events) is unfavourable for a succeeding beat : the mys-
terious molecular changes, by which the actual occurrence of one
beat prepares the way for the next, are missing, the favourable
influences of the extra rush of blood through the coronary arteries
due to a preceding beat are missing also, and even the distension
of the cardiac cavities resulting from the continued venous inflow,
at first favourable, speedily passes the limit and becomes un-
favourable. And these untoward influences accumulate rapidly,
,as the first miss is followed by a second, and by a third. In this
way a heart, which has been brought into a state of unstable
■equilibrium by disordered nutrition (as, for instance, by imperfect
coronary circulation, such as seems to accompany diseases of
the aortic valves leading to regurgitation from the aorta into the
ventricle, in which cases sudden death is not uncommon), which
is able just to accomplish each beat, but no more, which has a
scanty if any saving store of energy, under some strain or other
untoward influence, misses a leap, falls, and is no more able to rise.
Doubtless in such cases could adequate artificial aid be promptly
applied in time, could the fallen heart be stirred to even a
single good beat, the favourable reaction of that beat might
bring a successor, and so once more start the series ; but such
a period of grace, of potential recovery, is a brief one. Even
a coarse skeletal muscle, when cut off from the circulation, soqn
loses its irritability beyond all recovery, and the heart cut off from
its own influence on itself runs down so rapidly, that the period
of possible recovery is measured chiefly by seconds.
We made an exception just now in favour of vagus inhibitory
action. We may repeat that the effect of inhibitory action is to
lessen the expenditure of energy and so to assist the heart for
future efforts ; it saves the heart at the expense of the rest of the
economy. The heart, so far as we know, cannot in the working of
the livin-g economy be brought to a final arrest by the simple
action of the vagus. The effect of the aug mentor action on the
other hand is to increase the expenditure of energy ; it saves the
rest of the economy at the expense of the heart. And probably
in some cases augmentor action may bring about the cessation
of the heart beat. Disordered cardiac nutrition shews itself
frequently in a dilated condition of the ventricles ; the systole
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAR MECHANISM. 371
is inadequate to secure an adequate discharge into the arteries ;
the residual blood in the ventricles is increased. If the augrnentor
mechanism be brought to bear on such a weakened and dilated
ventricle, it may induce a fruitless expenditure of energy ; the
beat though increased is still inadequate to secure the needed
discharge of the contents, while the fibre is exhausted by the
increased metabolism. And the final result of such an effort may
be the cessation of the beat.
§ 192. Turning now to the minute arteries and the peripheral
resistance which they regulate, we may call to mind the existence
of the two kinds of mechanism, the vaso-constrictor mechanism,
which, owing to the maintenance by the central nervous system of
a tonic intiuence, can be worked both in a positive constrictor, and
in a negative dilator direction, and the vaso-dilator mechanism,
which, so far as we know, exerts its influence in one direction only,
viz. to dilate the blood vessels. The latter, dilator mechanism seems,
as we have seen, to be used in special instances only, as seen in the
cases of the chorda tympani and nervi erigentes ; the use of the
former, constrictor mechanism appears to be more general. Thus
the relaxation of the cutaneous arteries of the head and neck, which
is the essential feature in blushing, seems due to mere loss of tone,
to the removal of constrictor influences previously exerted through
the vaso-constrictor fibres of the cervical sympathetic. Though
probably dilator fibres pass directly along the roots of the cervical
and of certain cranial nerves to the nerves of the head and neck,
we have no evidence that these come into play in blushing ; as we
have seen, blushing may be imitated by mere section of the
cervical sympathetic. So also the ' glow ' and redness of the skin
of the whole body, i. e. general dilation of the cutaneous arteries,
which is produced by external warmth, is probably another in-
stance of diminished activity of tonic constrictor influences ; though
the result, that the dilation produced by warming an animal in an
oven is greater than that produced by section of nerves, seems to
point to the dilator fibres for the cutaneous vessels which, as we
have seen, probably exist in the sciatic and brachial plexuses, and
possibly in all the spinal nerves, also taking part in the action.
A similar loss of constrictor action in the cutaneous vessels may
be the result of certain emotions, whether going so far as actual
blushing of the body, or merely producing a ' glow.' The warm
and flushed condition of the skin, which follows the drinking of
alcoholic fluids, is probably, in a similar manner the result of an
inhibition of that part of the vaso-motor centre whicli governs the
cutaneous arteries. The effect of cold on the other hand, and of
certain emotions, or of emotions under certain conditions, is to
increase the constrictor action on the cutaneous vessels, and the
skin grows pale. It may be worth while to point out, that in
both the above cases, while both the cold and the warmth produce
their effects, chiefly, at all events, througli the central nervous
372 THE EFFECTS OF BODILY EXERCISE. [Book i,
system, and very slightly, if at all, by direct action on the skin,
their action on the central nervous system is not simply a general
augmentation or inhibition of the whole vaso-motor centre. On
the contrary, the cold, while it constricts the cutaneous vessels, so
acts on the vaso-motor centre as to inhibit that portion of the
vaso-motor centre which governs the abdominal splanchnic area ;
while less blood is carried to the colder skin, by the opening up of
the splanchnic area more blood is turned on to the warmer regions
of the body, and the rise of blood pressure which the constriction
of the cutaneous vessels tended to produce, and which might be
undesirable, is hereby prevented. Conversely, when warmth dilates
the cutaneous vessels, it at the same time constricts the abdominal
splanchnic area, and prevents an undesirable fall of pressure.
§ 193. The influence on the body of exercise illustrates both
the manner in which the two vascular factors, the heart beat and
the peripheral resistance, are modified by circumstances, and the
mutual action of these on each other. This influence is exceed-
ingly complex, and we cannot treat it properly until we have
studied several physiological matters to which we shall come later
on. We can here only touch in a general way on some salient
points.
We know from superficial observation that during active
exertion the breathing is increased, the heart beats more quickly
and apparently with greater vigour, and the skin, flushed with
blood, perspires freely.
The repeated strong contractions of the skeletal muscles to
which we turn as the ultimate cause of these events affect the
body in two main ways, the one chemical, the other physical.
When the muscles contract they take from the blood a larger
amount of oxygen, they give up to the blood a larger amount of
carbonic acid, and they discharge into the blood, either directly
into the capillaries of the muscles or indirectly through the lymph
stream, a quantity of substances, probably of several kinds, such as
sarcolactic acid and the like, which arise from the metabolism of
the muscular substance. The blood leaving a muscle at work is
chemically different from the blood leaving a muscle at rest.
There is also a physical change. During the contraction of a
muscle the blood vessels are dilated; this when many muscles
are at work would lead unless compensated to a lessening of
peripheral resistance, and so to a fall of arterial pressure, for the
minute vessels of the muscles form a large part of the whole
system of minute vessels of the body ; at the same time it would
increase the venous inflow into the heart.
Now we shall later on point out that the increased breathing
which follows upon exertion is due to the chemical changes thus
produced in the blood, and not only to the diminution of oxygen
and increase of carbonic acid, but also, and perhaps especially, to
the presence of the other products of metabolism referred to
CiiAi-. IV.] THE VASCULAK MECHANISM. 373
above. Indeed, we have reason to think that the increase in
breathing is sufficient to maintain the blood in a normal condition
so far as oxygen and carbonic acid are concerned ; the blood is not
more venous during exertion than during rest: it is possibly less
venous. The increased breathing, however, thougli it clears the
blood of the excess of carbonic acid, leaves behind in the blood the
other muscular products, ready to produce their effects on the body
before they are got rid of by organs other than the lungs.
This increased breathing promotes mechanically, as we shall
point out later on, the How of blood to the heart and through the
lungs. And this, together with the increased venous How from
the contracting muscles, favours the beat of the heart, supplying
the means for a greater output, and probably also tending to
increase the force of the systole.
But there are other influences at work on the heart. The
changes in the blood, and probably the presence of the above-
mentioned metabolic products, no less than the excess of carbonic
acid, so affect the vaso-motor centre as to lead to a great widening
of the cutaneous vessels ; at the same time, as we shall see, these
so affect other parts of the central nervous system as to lead to a
great activity of the sweat glands, by means of which the products
in question are got rid of or rendered inert. But the widening of
the vessels of the skin and of many muscles at the same time
must unless compensated lead to a fall of arterial pressure. We
have evidence, however, that the arterial pressure does not fall, in
fact, may be higher th.m normal ; a very marked compensation
must therefore take place. This is probably of a double nature.
On the one hand, the altered blood increases the work of the
heart, enabling it by a quicker rhythm or a stronger stroke or by
both combined, to avail itself of the advantages of the greater
venous inflow, and to increase its output, whereby the arterial
pressure increases. We cannot suppose that this increased work
is due to the direct effect of the altered blood on the cardiac
muscles, for the altered blood is distinctly injurious to muscular
tissue. The increase of the heart's work is gained in spite of this
influence of the altered blood, and is due to the intervention of
the central nervous system. There are several facts which seem
to support the view that the altered blood throws into activity the
augmentor system, and thus by increasing the work of the heart
raises or maintains the arterial pressure.
On the other hand, we have reason to think that while that
part of the vaso-motor centre which governs the cutaneous vas-
cular area is being inhibited, that part which governs the abdominal
splanchnic area is, on the contrary, being augmented. In this
way a double end is gained. On the one hand, the mean blood
pressure is maintained or increased in a more economical manner
than by increasing the heart beats, and on the other hand, the
blood during the exercise is turned away from the digestive organs
374 THE EFFECTS OE FOOD. [Book i.
which at the time are or ought to be at rest, and therefore
requiring comparatively little blood. These organs certainly, at
all events, ought not during exercise to be engaged in the task of
digesting and absorbing food, and the old saying, " After dinner sit
awhile," may serve as an illustration of the working of the vascular
mechanism with which we are dealing. The duty which some of
the digestive organs have during exercise to carry out in the way
of excretion of metabolic waste products is, as we have already
said, probably taken on by the flushed and perspiring skin. It is
true that at the beginning of a period of exercise, before the skin,
so to speak, has settled down to its work, an increased flow of
urine, dependent on or accompanied by an increased flow of blood
through the kidney, may make its appearance ; but in this case,
as we shall see later on in dealing with the kidney, the flow of
blood through the kidney may be increased in spite of constriction
of the rest of the splanchnic area, and, besides, such an initial
increase of urine speedily gives way to a decrease.
The ' distress ' which follows upon undue exertion is also
exceedingly complex. It tells upon the breathing, upon the
heart, upon the whole nervous system, and even on the muscles
themselves. We can only refer briefly to the heart.
We have seen (§ 158) that the action of the augmentor
mechanism, in contrast to that of the inhibitory mechanism, leads
to exhaustion. Hence during exercise it is desirable that the
augmentor mechanism should be brought into play as little as
possible ; indeed, we may perhaps suppose that it is not brought
into action during exercise to any great extent until the waste
metabolic products have accumulated in the blood beyond a certain
extent ; the increased work of the heart is probably up to this
point chiefly due to the increased venous inflow. And possibly
one effect of training for exercise is to bring about such a con-
dition of the body as will get rid of these products as speedily as
possible and so limit the call upon the augmentor mechanism.
In distress, on the other hand, we may probably recognise in
the heart the exhaustion consequent upon augmentor action ;
but matters are made still worse by the injurious direct action on
the cardiac tissue of the waste metabolic products. The two so
weaken the heart that the ventricles are no longer able to dis-
charge into the arteries the proper quantity of blood and, the
venous inflow still continuing, become abnormally distended. If
the cardiac tissue be already enfeebled by disease this condition
of things may lead to a cessation of the beat and so to death ; but
in a healthy organism such an end is probably in most cases
forestalled by the altered blood acting even more injuriously on
other organs of the body.
§ 194. The effect of food on the vascular mechanism affords a
marked contrast to the effect of bodily labour. The most prominent
result is a widening of the whole abdominal vascular area, accom-
Chap, iv.] THE VASCULAE MECHANISM. 375
pauied by so much constriction of the cutaneous vascular area
and so much increase of the heart's beat as are sufficient to neutra-
lize the tendency of the widening of the abdominal vascular area
to lower the mean pressure, or perhaps even sufficient to raise
slightly the mean pressure.
The widening of the abdominal vascular area, as we have
seen (§ 179), is probably an inhibition of tonic vaso-constrictor
impulses as a reflex act, assisted possibly by some local action
due to the presence of the food and similar to that supposed to
take place in the skeletal muscles during contraction. We
have at present no clear evidence that the absorbed products
of digestion play any important part in this splanchnic dilation by
acting on the central nervous system ; but the concomitant in-
crease of the heart beat is probably due to this cause. We have
no exact knowledge of how the absorbed products bring this
about, and possibly the mode of action differs with the different
constituents of food. With regard to alcohol, which is so often
part of a meal, we may perhaps say that the character of its
effects, the quickening and strengthening of the beats, seems to
point to its setting in action the augmentor mechanism, but it
also probably acts directly on the cardiac tissues. In any case, the
effects depend largely on the dose, and if this is large the direct
effects become prominent, and the ultimate result is a deleterious
weakening.
Any large widening of the cutaneous area, especially if accom-
panied by muscular labour and the incident widening of the
arteries of the muscles, would tend so to lower the general blood
pressure (unless met by a wasteful use of cardiac energy) as
injuriously to lessen the flow through the active digesting viscera.
A moderate constriction of the cutaneous vessels, on the other hand,
by throwing more blood on the abdominal splanchnic area without
tasking the heart, is favourable to digestion, and is probably the
physiological explanation of the old saying, " If you eat till you 're
cold, you'll live to be old."
In fact during life there seems to be a continual give-and-take
between the blood vessels of the somatic and those of the splanchnic
divisions of the body ; to fill the one the other is proportionately
emptied, and vice versa.
§ 195. We have seen (§ 174) that certain afferent fibres of
the vagus, forming in the rabbit a separate nerve, the depressor
nerve, are associated with the vaso-constrictor nerves and the vaso-
motor centre in such a way that impulses passing centripetally
along them from the heart lower the blood pressure by diminishing
the peripheral resistance, probably inhibiting the tonic constrictor
influences exerted along the splanchnic nerves, and so, as it were,
opening the splanchnic flood-gates. AVe do not possess much exact
information about the use of these afferent depressor fibres in the
living body, but probably when the heart is labouring against a
376 SELF-EEGULATIOK [Book i.
blood pressure which is too high for its powers, the condition of the
heart starts impulses which, passing along the depressor fibres up
to the spinal bulb, temper, so to speak, the blood pressure to suit
the cardiac strength.
We have, moreover, reason to think that not only does the
heart thus regulate the blood pressure by means of the depressor
fibres, but also that the blood pressure, acting, as it were, in the
reverse direction, regulates the heart beat ; a too high pressure, by
acting on the cardio-inhibitory centre in the spinal bulb (either
directly, that is, as the result of the vascular condition of the bulb
itself, or indirectly, by impulses reaching the medulla along afferent
nerves from various parts of the body), may send inhibitory impulses
down the vagus, and so slacken or tone down the heart beats.
In the following sections of this work we shall see repeated
instances, similar to or even more striking than the above, of the
management of the vascular mechanism by means of the nervous
system, and we therefore need dwell no longer on the subject.
We may simply repeat that at the centre lies the cardiac
muscular fibre, and at the periphery the plain muscular fibre of the
minute artery. On these two elements the central nervous system,
directed by this or that impulse reaching it along afferent nerve
fibres, or affected directly by this or that influence, is, during life,
continually playing, now augmenting, now inhibiting, now the one,
now the other, and so, by help of the elasticity of the arteries and
the mechanism of the valves, directing the blood flow according to
the needs of the body.
INDEX.
Abscissa line, mode of measuring curves
on, 236, note
Acid, carbonic, clotting retarded by, 21
„ „ development of, in rigor mortis,
102, 103
„ set free during muscular con-
traction, 105, 153
,, lactic, in the blood, 52
,, „ isomeric variations of, 101,
note
Action, currents of. 111, 113, 124, 125
„ peristaltic, in plain muscular
fibre, 161, 162
reflex, 182-185
„ „ purposive nature of, 1 84
„ automatic, 185
Adenoid tissue in lymphatic g!:inds, 44
,. „ multiplication of leucocytes
in, 45
Age, vascular changes due to, 365-367
Albumin, acid and alkali, 19, 99
Alhumose, clotting retanled by, 29
Alcohol, changes in proteids ])roduced
by, 24
„ physiological action of, 371
„ its prol)al)le action on cardiac
tissues, 375
Amcebre. 3-7
Aniceboid motion of wliite corpuscles,
39, 42, 47, 168, 358
Amphibia, ending of nerve fibres in
muscles of, 122
Anabolic changes of living substance,
41
Anacrotic pulse, usuallv pathological,
280, 287
Amemia, lessened number of red cor-
puscles in, 34
Anelectrotonus, 131
,, its relation to irritability, 135
Annulus of Vieussens, 314
Anode, 60
Aorta, proportion of sectional area of
capillaries to the, 201
„ comparative blood pressure in,
243, 253-260, 287
Aortic valves, 239, 257
Arantii, corpus, 200
Areolar tissue, 190
Arterial pressure, 205, see also Blood,
pressure of
„ „ tracings of, 208, 209, 218,
219
„ „ heart beat in inverse ratio
to, 323
„ „ as affected by tonic con-
traction, 325
„ „ „ „ bv c|uantitv of
blood, 362
„ „ vaso-motor action on, 338,
339, 346
„ scheme, model of, 217
„ tone, 326
„ „ intrinsic nature of, 34S
Arteries, effect of ligature on, 28, 204
„ structure of minute, 195
„ larger, 196
,, nutrition of, 197
coats of, 197, 198
„ elasticitv and contractilitv of,
200. 216, 306
„ pulse in, 203, 211, 230
„ • changes of calibre in, 271. 324
., sup])lv of vaso-motor nerves tn,
32.'). 338
effect on blood pressure of their
contractility, 339
intrinsic tone of muscular wall
of. 348
„ as affected by age, 365
Arterioles, 195
Artificial ])ulse, tracings of, 218, 274
Ash of nniscle, 104
„ nerves, 125
Atropin. cardiac inliibitiou counteracted
liy. 318. 319
..Vuricle, histology of. 291
Automatic actions, 185
xis-cylinder of nerve fibre, 117. 118
„ „ result of .severance of, 146
„ „ process, in nerve cells of
spinal cord, 180
378
INDEX.
Bacteria, ingestion of, by white cor-
puscles, 46-48
Bauds, bright and dim, iu muscle tissue,
91
„ „ „ „ in cardiac tissue,
291
Bidder's ganglia in heart of frog, 294,
295
Bilirubin, its relation with hsematin, 35
Blood, the, 13-54
„ an internal medium of inter-
changes, 13, 188, 193
„ clotting of, 15-30
„ „ circumstances affecting, 20
„ „ causes of, 26
„ its relation to vascular walls, 27,
360
„ corpuscles, see Corpuscles
,, ' laky,' how formed, 32
„ chemical composition, 50-52
„ specific gravity, 50
„ quantity and distribution, 53
„ „ in a part, mode of measur-
ing, 332
„ „ results of changes iu, 362
„ rate of flow in vessels, 222, 227,
228
„ „ „ dependence of, on vaso-
motor action, 338
„ amount driven by each heart
beat, 203, 267
„ quality of, its effect on heart
beat, 321
„ „ „ its effect on peri-
pheral resistance,
361
„ „ „ as affected by exer-
cise, 372
„ circulation of, see Circulation
„ pressure, arterial and venous
compared, 203-211, 216
„ „ in arteries, 203-211
„ ,, how measured, 204 et supra
„ ,, in veins, 205, 209
„ ,, mode of registering, 206
., in capillaries, 210-213, 216
„ ,, phenomena of, 213
), „ its relation to peripheral
resistance, 213-220
„ ,, artificial scheme of, 217-
221
„ „ endocardiac, 241-247
„ „ aortic and ventricular com-
pared, 253-260, 287
„ „ negative, 267
„ „ as affected by cardiac in-
hibition, 312
„ „ „ by stimulation of de-
pressor, 343
>, „ „ by stimulation of sciatic,
344
„ „ „ by action of drugs, 361
„ „ „ by changes in amount of
blood, 362, 363
Blood pressure, heart beat in inverse ratio
to, 323
„ serum, constituents of, 19
,, supply, its influence on muscular
„ irritability, 149
„ ventricular ' out-put ' of, 247
„ vessels, their influence on fluidity
of, 28
Blushing, its cause, 352, 371
Body, the, characteristics of in life and
death, 1, 2
Bois-Reymond, du, key, 61
„ „ on muscle-currents,
111, 112
Brachial flexus, constrictor and dilator
fibres in, 333
Bufty coat of clotted blood, 16
Bulbus arteriosus, absence of nerves in,
293
Calcium salts, their presence necessary
in clotting of blood, 26
Canalis auricularis in lower vertebrates,
294
Capillaries described, 13
„ their permeability, 13, 193-
202
„ structure, 190
„ blood-interchanges effected in,
13, 188, 193
„ calibre, 194, 355
„ plasmatic layer in, 356
„ proportion of sectional area
of, to aorta, 201, 212
„ measurements of blood pres-
sure in, 210
„ disappearance of pulse in,
211
,, peripheral resistance in, 210-
213, 216
Capillary circulation, normal phenomena
of, 211, 355
„ „ as affected by inflam-
mation, 357
Carbohydrates in white corpuscles, 41
„ „ in muscle-substance, 103
Cardiographic tracings, 250, 259
Cardio-iuhibitory centre, 310, 313
Cardiometer, Roy and Adami's, 249
Cells, ciliary', 164
„ „ action of chloroform on, 168
,, connective tissue, 189
„ differentiation of, during develop-
ment of ovum, 6
„ endocardial, 199
„ epithelioid, of capillaries, 193
„ ,, of arteries, 195
„ epithelium, 165
„ ganglionic, of heart, 294, 296
„ „ of spinal cord, 175-178
,, nerve, of splanchnic ganglia, 178
„ „ of central nervous system,
179-181
„ of Purkinje', 293
INDEX.
379
Cells, spiral, 179, 295
„ uiiipular and multipolar, 296
Ceinent .sul)stance, 19.5, 194
Centre, cardio-inliiljitory, 'HO
„ va^o-motur, 34.'J, '.M'l
„ „ limits of, 345, .'Uf,
Cerebri!], 123
Clianges, anabolic and kataliolic, in
living sul)stance, 41
I'bauveau anil Lurtet, tlieir ha;niatacho-
nu-ter, 224, 228
„ and ]\Iarey, tbeir mode of mea-
suring endocardiac pressure,
240, 241
Chloral, its effect on action of depressor,
345
Chlorides, their presence in serum, 51
Chloroform, its effect ou ciliary action,
168
Cholesteriu, its presence in blood, 51
„ „ in red corpuscles, 52
„ „ in nerve substance, 123
„ „ iu gall-stones, 123
Chromatin, 47
Cilia, 164
Ciliary movements, 56, 164
„ ,, circumstances affecting, 165
Circulation of the blood, main facts of,
203
„ capillary, 212, 225, 355
„ hydraulic principles of the,
213, 214
„ aids to, 221
„ rate of flow, 222-228
„ time occupied by "ircuit, 228,
229
„ constant and variable factors
of, 365
„ as affected by blood supplv,
367
Clotting of blood, 15-30
„ retarded by cold, 16
„ „ by addition of saline
solutions, 16, 22
„ „ by oil, 21
„ „ bv carbonic acid in the
' blood, 21
„ „ by injection of albu-
mose, 29
„ causes of, 26
„ in the living body, 28
„ favoured bv presence of foreign
bodies, 21, 28, 49
„ of fluids other tlian lilood, 23
„ of muscle plasma in rigur mor-
tis, 101
Coagulation of proteids by iieat, 18
Cohnheim's areas, 93
Cold, its influence on clotting, 16, 21
„ „ on irritability of muscle
and nerve, 148
„ „ on vaso-constrictor action,
371
Connective tissue, structure of, 189
Connective tissue, 'loose,' 190
„ „ corpuscles, 191
Constant current, its action, 128
„ ,, as cornparcil with in-
duction-shock, 130
Contour, double, of ncrvi^ tibrc, 1 16
Contractile tissues, the, 54-170
„ material of muscle tissue,
155
Contraction of muscle, movements of
body due to, 55
,, simple and tetanic, 59
„ grajihic method of reconl
ing, 59
„ simjile, phenomena of, 69
„ tetanic, 79-85
„ of skeletal muscles, tetanic
in character, 83
wave of, 88
„ microscopic ciiangcs during,
94
„ chemical changes due to,
105
„ tliermal changes due to, 106
„ electrical changes during,
115
„ ' making and breaking,' 128
„ influenceil by nature of sti-
mulus, 138'
„ isometric and isotonic. 138
„ prolonged, of red muscle,
142
„ as influenced by load, 143
„ idio-muscular, 145
„ exhausting effects of the
products of, 1 52
„ result of chemical changes
in, 153
„ of plain muscle, 161-164
„ peristaltic, 161, 162
„ spontaneous, 163
„ tonic, 164
„ relation of to amoeboid
movements, 164
„ of heart, 266
„ features of, 302, 304
Cord, spinal, 171
„ „ diagrammatic nietamere
of, 172
„ ganglia of the. 175-178
„ „ reflex actions manifested
by the, 182
„ „ cornua anterior of, nerve-
cells of, 179, 185
Corpus Arantii, 200
Corpuscles, blood, not an essential ])art
of clot, 16
„ relations of, with the plasma,
27
„ connective tissue. 191
„ red and wiiite, relative pro-
portions of, 38
„ „ „ capillary walls
permeable by, 194
380
INDEX.
Corpuscles, red, microscopic appearance,
31
„ „ structure, 32
„ „ chemical composition,
33
„ „ as oxygen bearers, 33,
35, 38
„ „ formed in red marrow
of bones, 37
„ „ their passage through
the capillaries, 356
„ ,, diapedesis of, 359
,, white (see a/so Leucocytes)
„ „ their connection with
clotting, 29
„ „ appearance and struc-
ture of, 38, 39
„ „ amoiboid movements of,
38, 42, 47, 168, 356,
358
„ „ chemistry of, 40, 52
„ „ type of all living tissue,
41, 44
„ „ origin of, 44
„ „ migration of, 45, 358
„ „ worli done by, 46
„ „ their action as phago-
cytes, 46, 47
„ „ different forms of, 47
„ „ nuclear network in, 47
„ „ their behaviour in in-
flammation, 336-338
Cramp abolished by electrotonus, 135
Crassamentnm or clot, 15
Currents of action in a muscle, 113
,, in a nerve, 125
of rest m a muscle or nerve,
109, 125
„ in electrotonus, 133
electrical, constant and in-
duced, 60, 61
interrupted or faradaic, 66
electrotonic, 132
Curves, mode of measuring, 236, note
Cycle, cardiac, described, 232, 264
„ „ duration of phases, 262
Death, a gradual process, 1
„ slow clotting of blood after, 27
„ of blood corpuscles, 38, 46
„ from failure of heart's action,
369
Degeneration of severed nerve, 146, 147
„ of muscle after severance
of nerve, 147
„ of constrictor prior to di-
lator fibres in severed
nerve, 333
Depressor nerve, 343, 375
Despretz signal, 74, 75
Diapedesis of red corpuscles, 359
Diastole of heart's action, 232, 235
Dicrotic wave, origin of, 282-287
Dicrotism in pulse tracings, 280
Dicrotism less marked in rigid arteries,
283
Differential manometer of Hiirthle, 254,
255
Distress from undue exertion, nature of,
374
Division of labor, physiological, 6
Dudgeon's sphygmograph, 271
Elastic fibres in connective tissue, 192
„ membrane of arteries, 195
Elasticity, diminished, in exhausted
muscles, 152
„ of arteries, as affecting
circulation, 214
„ „ as affecting dicro-
tism, 285
Elastin in yellow elastic fibres. 1 92
Electric changes during muscle contrac-
tion, 108
,, „ in a nerve impulse, 125
„ stimuli described, 60
„ organs of certain animals, 122,
157
Electrotonic currents, 132
Electrotonus, features of, 130
Embrj'O of mammal, origin of red cor-
puscles in, 36, 37
„ „ glvcogen in muscles of,
'l03
End-plates of nerves, probable action of
virari on, 59
„ the two parts of, 121
„ their analogy with electric
organs of animals, 122,
157
Endocardium, its structure, 199
Energy, potential, of living and dead
bodies, 1
„ of living body expended in
work, 2
„ of dead body shewn as heat, 3
„ renewed and set free by diffe-
rent tissues, 6
,, of muscle and nerve, 153-157
Eosinophile cells, 48
Epithelioid or eudothelioid cells of ca-
pillaries, 193
Epithelium of arteries, 195
„ ciliated, 164
Eustachian valve in adult life, 232
Exercise, effect of, on the muscles, 150
„ ,, on vascular mecha-
nism, 372, 373
Exhaustion of muscle and nerve tissue,
145, 151, 152
Fainting, a result of cardiac inhibition,
314, 368
Faradization, 67
Fatigue, its effect on muscular irrita-
bility, 142, 151, 322
„ sense of, its nature, 151
Fats, in white corpuscles, 42
INDEX.
381
Fats, ill blociil, T)!
„ in uervc tissue, 117, 123
Fear, inhibitory action of, 187
Fenestrated nieiiihranc of arteries, 196
Ferment, fibrin, eflieiciit eause of coagu-
lation. 24
„ „ its action uii fihriiiogen,
26
Fibres, muscular, see Muscle
,, nerve, see Nerves
elastic, in connective tissue, 192
Fihrilhe of nmsclc-snlistance, 93
gelatiniferous, 190
Fibrin, 15
,, its development during clotting, 1 (i
,, its proteid nature, 17
„ structure, 18
„ causes of its appearance, 20
Fibrin-ferment, 24
Fibrinogen, its precipitation from plasma,
23
,, its conversion into fibrin, 25,
26, 30
Fick, spring-manometer of, 269, 270
Fluid, serous, 23
Fluidity of living blood, 26
„ of blood in the vessels after
death, 27
Food, amoeboid absorption of, 3
„ carried to the tissues by the blood,
8
„ its gradual change into living
substance, 42
„ ingestion of, by white corpuscles,
42,46
„ its effect on vascular mt chauism,
374
Freezing, its effect on muscle, 100
Frey and Krehl, manometer of, 246, 247
Frog, rlieoscopic, 114
„ capillary circulation in, 211
,, brainless, phenomena shewn by,
56, 182, 183
Gad, manometer of, 246
Galvanic battery described, 61
Ganglia, spinal, 173, 175
„ of splanchnic svstem, 178, 181,
186
„ cardiac, of lower vertebrates, 293
„ of frog, 294, 301
., „ of maniinal, 295, 290
„ ,, relations of the, 301
Ganglion stellatum, 314-316
Ganglion cells, their structure, 175, 177,
178
Gaskell, his method of recording heart
lieat, 297
Gelatin, composition and ]iro])erties of,
190
Gland, salivary, venous pulse in, 287
submaxillary, of dog, donlde nerve
supply of, 329
Globulins, a group of proteids, 19
(iloimb'iis, tlieir clianges U) acid and
alkali all)umin, 99
Glycogen, its presence in white cor-
jmscles, 41
„ ,, in muscle-substance, 103
„ ,, in ])lain muscle, 161
Goltz and Gaule, maximum manometer
of, 260
Granules in white corpuscles, 39, 42, 47
llaiiiacytometer describeil, 34
llii'inadroinometer of Volkniann, 222
ILeniatachometer of Vierordt, 223
„ of Chauveau and Lortet, 224
Ilajmatin, 33
„ its relations with bilirubin, 35
Htematoblasts descril)ed, 37
„ development of, 46
Htemoglobin, 33
„ an oxygen-bearer, 35, 38
,, its proportion in red cor-
puscles, 51
„ „ in red muscle, 100
Hcemorrhage, its effect on blood pressure,
362
Heart, 231-268
„ beat, normal, 231
,, „ meclianism of, 250
„ „ summary of, 265, 266
» » regulation of, 289
„ ,, ilevelopment of, 296
„ „ analysis of, 300
„ „ government of, by ner\ous
system, 305
„ „ augmentation of, in frog,
307-311
„ „ „ in mammal, 311
„ „ inhibition of, in frog, 306
„ „ „ in mammal, 311-314
„ ., regulation of, by nutrition,
320
„ „ relation of, to pressure, 323
„ ., intrinsic regulation of, 366
„ ,, sudden stoppage of, 370
„ cardiac cycle, 232-235
„ auricular .systole, 233
„ ventricular systole, 234
„ change of form, 235, 237
„ cardiac impulse, 237
,, sounds of tiie, 238
,, endocardiac jirossnro, 241-247
„ 'out-put ' of till', 247
„ ventricular pressure in the, 252-
262
„ negative pressure in the, 260. 261,
267
„ duration of cardiac phases, 262
„ Mork done bv. 267, 268
hi.stoloMjy of." 290
„ muscular tissue of. in frog's, 291,
302
„ „ „ in inamnnxls, 292
„ nerves of, 293
in frog, 294
382
INDEX.
Heart, nerves of, in mammal, 295
„ contraction, features of, 300-305
Heat given out by contracting muscle,
106
Helmholtz's magnetic interruptor, 68
Henle's sheath of nerve fibre, 121, 177
Hermann on muscle currents, 112
Histohaematin in red muscle, 100
Htirthle, membrane manometer of, 244-
246
„ tracings of ventricular and
aortic pressure by apparatus
of, 253, 254, 258, 259, 284
,, differential manometer of, 254
„ maximum and minimum mano-
meter of, 261
„ tambour sphygmoscope of, 270
Impulses, nervous, 58, 125
„ „ nature of, 157
„ cardiac, 259
Induction coil, construction of, 63
Inflammation, phenomena of, 356
Infusoria, ciliary motions in, 167
Ingestion of matter by cells, 47, 48
Inhibition, cardiac, phenomena of, 306
et supra
„ „ fainting a result of, 314,
368
„ „ effect of atropin on,
318-320
Inhibitory nerves, 186
,, fibres in vagus of frog, 309
„ „ in vagus of mammal,
311
„ „ cardiac, continuous ac-
tion of, 314
„ „ their analogy with vaso-
dilator fibres, 331
Inogen, or ' contractile material of
muscle,' 155, 156
Insect muscles, fibrillas of, 92
Interfibrillar substance of muscle, 92,
93
Intermediate line, in muscle fibre, 94
Intermittence, cardiac, 322, 368
Interruptor, magnetic, 67
Intrinsic tone of artery walls, 348
,, regulation of the heart, 366
Irritability, muscular and nervous, 57-
85
„ „ „ their mutual indepen-
dence, 58, 147
„ diminution and disappear-
ance of, after death, 84
„ as affected by electrotonus,
130
„ circumstances determining,
145
„ centrifugal loss of, in severed
nerve, 146
„ influence of temperature on,
148
„ „ of blood supply on, 149
Irritability, influence of functional ac-
tivity on, 150
„ presence of oxygen a condi-
tion of, 152, 156
„ prolonged, of heart, 299
Irritants, inflammatorj^ action of, on
tissues, 357
Katabolic changes in living tissue, 41,
43
Katelectrotonus defined, 131
Kathode or negative electrode, 61
Key, galvanic, various forms of, 62
Krause's micmbrane, 92
Kreatin, its presence in the blood, 51
„ chemical composition, 104
„ in plain muscle, 161
Kymograph, Ludwig's, for recording
blood pressure, 210
Labour, physiological division of, 6
Lactic acid, its presence in the blood,
52
„ „ isomeric variations of, 101,
note
Laky blood, how formed, 32
Lecithin, in stroma of red corpuscles, 33
„ in white corpuscles, 40
„ in the blood, 52
„ in muscle-substance, 103
„ in nerve tissue, 123
Leucocytes in the lymphatic system, 44
„ their origin, 45
„ different forms of, 189
„ in connective tissue, 191
Leucocythffimia, increase of white cor-
puscles in, 46
Life, processes of, 1
Liver, destruction of red corpuscles in
the, 36
Living substance, food and waste of, 3
Ludwig, stromuhr of, 223
Lymph, the, a medium of exchange
between blood and tissues,
13, 14, 193
„ salts present in, 41
„ migration of white corpuscles
into, 358
„ coagulable, in inflammation,
358
Magnetic interruptor, 67
Making and breaking currents, 61-69
,, „ contractions with the
constant current, 128
Manometer, for measuring blood pres-
sure, 206
„ maximum and minimum,
260, 261
of Gad, 246
„ of Krehl, 246
of Fick, 270
Medulla of nerve-fibre, structure of, 118,
119
INDEX.
383
Medulla oblunguta, cardiac effect of
stimulation of,
310.
., „ centre for nerves of taste
in, 340
„ ,, ,, for constrictor iin-
pulses ill, 342-350
Membrane, elastic, of arteries, 195
„ fenestrated, 196
Membraue-manonicter of lliirthle, 244-
240, 269
Metaiiolism defined, 41
,, increased by exercise, 372
Metameres, hypothetical, of spinal cord,
171, 172
Micro-unit of heat defined, 107, note
Migration of the white corpuscles, 45
„ „ in inflammation, 358
„ „ aided by changes in
vascular walls, 360
Milieu's reagent for detection of proteid,
17
Morse key, 63
Movements of bodv, how accomplished,
55 "
„ ciliary, 164
„ amoeboid, 168, 358
„ cardiac, visible, 231
Multipolar cells of splanchnic ganglia,
181
Muscarin, its action on cardiac tissue,
319
Muscle, irritability of, 57 et supra
„ phenomena of contraction of, 69-
164
„ tetanic contraction of, 79-84, 141
„ gross structure of, 86
,, wave of contraction, 88
„ minute structure of, 90
„ striated, 93
„ „ under polarized light, 95,
96
„ mol)ilitv of, 97
„ chemistry of, 97-106
„ living and dead, contrasted, 97
„ dead, cliemistry of, 98
„ rigid, acid reaction of, 101
„ living, reaction of, 102
„ chemical changes due to contrac-
tion, 105
„ thermal changes due to contrac-
tion, 108, 153, 163
„ electrical changes in, 108
,, action of the constant current on,
128-134
,, work done bv, as iiifluence<l hv fa-
" tigue, 142, 151
„ by loail, 143
„ ,, ,, bv size and form 111' mus-
" cle, 144
,, „ ,, by tem|)erature, 148
,, „ ,, by l)lo()d sup])ly, 149
„ „ ,, bv Cniu-tiniial artivitv,
150
Muscle, oxygen consumed during con-
traction of, 154, 155, 372
„ coiitra(-tik; material of, 155
„ contraction of, a chemical process,
156
,, plain, structure of, 158
,, „ arrangement of nerves in, 160
„ ,, chemistry of, 161
„ „ characters of contraction of,
161
„ „ spontaneous contraction of,
163
,, ,, tonic contraction of, 164
„ nutrition of, I 50
„ cardiac, 291-293
„ „ unlike skeletal muscle, 302,
303
„ „ spontaneous rhythmic con-
traction of, 304
,, vascular changes in, 334
„ changes due to contraction of, 372
Muscle-currents, 109-112
„ „ negative variation of, 1 13
Muscle-curves, 69
,, ,, analysis of, 75
,, „ variations of, 78
„ „ tetanic, 79
Muscle-nerve preparation, 59-85, 113
„ ,, as a machine, 138
Muscle-plasma, 100
Muscle-serum and clot, 100
Muscle-sound, 142, 143
Myocardiograms, 252
Myoglobulin, 100
Myograph, 70
,, pendulum, 72
Myosin in dead muscle, 98, 99
Myosinogen in living muscle, 1 01
Negative pressure in heart, 260, 261 , 267
Nerves, irritability of, 57 et supra
„ end-plates of, 58
„ „ their connection with mus-
cular fibres, 87, 120
„ „ their analogy with elec-
trical organs, 122, 157
„ structure of, 110, 117
,, their endings in plain muscle, 100
„ „ ,, in striated muscle, 120-
122
„ chemistry of, 123
,, severed, degenei-ative changes in,
146
,, „ regeneration of, 147
„ mixed, 173
,, abdominal splanchnic, 173
„ „ „ vas()-coustrictorfil)res
in, 328. 334, 339
,, brachial plexus, constrictor and di-
lator fibres in, 332, 333
„ cardiac, 293-296, 314
,, cervical sympatlietic of frog, cardiac
augmentor fibres in,
308-310.
384
INDEX.
Nerves, cervical sympathetic of frog, vaso-
constrictor fibres in,
326-328, 332, 341
„ „ „ not exclusively vaso-
constrictor, 332
„ chorda tympani, vaso-dilator fibres
in, 329, 332
„ depressor, vaso-motor functions of,
343, 344, 375
„ inhibitory, 186
„ pneumogastric, see Nerve, vagus
„ sciatic, constrictor and dilator fibres
in, 332, 333, 344
„ spinal, 172
„ „ anterior and posterior roots
of, 173
„ „ accessory, cardiac-inhibitory
fibres in, 313-316
„ thoracic, 342
Nerve cells of sjiinal cord, 179, 180
„ „ ganglia, 175, 178, 179
„ of splanchnic ganglia, 178,
179
„ of cardiac ganglia, 296
,, spiral, 179
Nerve fibres, their structure, 116-123
,, medullated, 118-120
„ noo-medullated, 122
„ efferent and afferent, 173
„ revehent, 174
„ in spinal cord, 180, 185
„ vaso-constrictor and vaso-
dilator, 331
„ ,, course of, 335
„ vaso-dilator, course of, 337
Nervi erigentes, vaso-dilator fibres of, 341
Nervous system, central, cells in grey
matter of, 179
Nervous system, central, centres for auto-
matic and reflex actions in, 181
„ „ vaso-motor functions of,
340, 345
Neurilemma, defined, 117, note
, , structure of, 119
Neurin, 123
Neuroglia, 180
Neurokeratin, 119, 124
Nicol prism, 95
Nitrogen, proportion of, in proteids, 17
Nitrogenous waste not increased by mus-
cle contraction, 106, 108
Node of Ranvier, 117
Notch, dicrotic, in pulse-tracings, 281
Nuclear network in white corpuscles, 47
Nucleiu in white corpuscles, 40
,, a modified proteid, 43
Nucleolus in ganglionic cells, 176
Nucleus of white corpuscles, how shewn,
39
„ of neurilemma, 119
„ of non-medullary nerve-fibre, 122
„ of a ganglionic cell, 176
Oil, clotting of blood retarded by, 21
' Out-put ' of blood by ventricle, 247
„ „ increased by augmentor
action, 317
Oxygen, its absorption by the living
body, 2
„ borne by the blood to the tis-
sues, 13
,, in proteids, 17
„ borne by hajmoglobin, 33-35
,, presence of, necessary to ner-
vous irritability, 154-156
„ consumed during muscular con-
traction, 154
Pallor caused by emotion, 352
Palpitation of heart, causes of, 369
Paraglobulin, a constituent of blood-
serum, 19
„ precipitated from plasma, 23
Pendulum myograph, 72
Pericardial fluid, its persistent fluidity in
pericardial bag, 28
Peripheral resistance, defined, 213
,, ,, its action in the circula-
tion, 220
„ „ illustrated by model, 217
,, ,, lowered by action of de-
pressor nerve, 344
„ ,, affected by vaso-motor
changes, 338
„ „ ,, by condition of vas-
cular walls, 360
,, „ „ by chauges in cha-
racter of blood,
360
,, zone in capillary contents, 356
Peripheral zone, white corpuscles present
in, 357
„ „ blood platelets in, during
inflammation, 358
Peristaltic contractions of plaiu muscle,
161
Phagocytes, 47, 48
Phosphates in muscle ash, 104
„ in nerve ash, 125
Phosphorus, a constituent of nuclein,
40
„ „ „ of serum, 51
of lecithin, 123
Physiology, divisions of, 3
„ problems of, 9
Physiological unit defined, 6
Pigment, yellow, of serum, 51
„ of bile, formation of, from ha3-
moglobin, 38
Plasma-corpuscles in connective tissue,
191
Plasmatic layer in capillary contents,
356
Plasmine, properties of, 23
Plateau, systolic, 247
Platelets, blood, 30, 48, 358
Pletbysmograph, principles of its action,
224, 228, 248
INDEX.
385
Plethysmograpli, aniumit of blood in
parts deterniiued by, 332
Plexus, brachial, constrictor and dilator
fibres in, 333
Polarizing current, irritability of nerve
affected by, 130
Potassium salts in cell-tissue, 41, 51
„ „ in muscle tissue, 102
Pressure, arterial, see Blood, pressure
J^riinitive sheath of nerve fibre, 115
Primordial utricle, 4
Proteids, general composition of, 17
Proteid material, a constituent of living
matter, 43
Protoplasm, definition of, 4
„ " differentiated," 4
„ "undifferentiated," in the
embryo, 36
„ primordial, spoutaneous
movement of, 304
Pseudopodia of tlie white corpuscles,
38
„ „ movements effected by
means of, 168
Pulse, the, 203, 269
„ methods of recording, 269-273
„ artificial, 273, 276
,, characters of, 276
„ disappearance of, 278
„ dicrotism in, 280-286
„ anacrotic, 280, 287
,, venous, 287
Pulse-volume, 250, 267
Pulse-wave, changes of, in the arteries,
277
„ „ velocity of tiie, 279
,, ,, length of the, 279
Pus corpuscles, their formation, 45
Radial artery, tracings of the pulse in
• the, 271-273, 276, 281
Ranvier, node of, in nerve fibre, 117
„ „ division of nerve fibre
takes place at, 121
Reflex actions, general features of, 182-
185
„ „ not always proportioned
to stimulus, 182
„ „ often purposeful in cha-
racter, 184
,, „ vaso-motor, 340
Refractorv period of cardiac contraction,
304
Relaxation of muscular fibre an essential
part of contraction, 76, 90, 153, 169,
331
Reniak, ganglion of, in heart of frog,
294
Respiratory movements, circulation
aided by, 221
Rheometer of Ludwig, 222
Rheoscopic frog, 113
„ „ current of action shewn
in, 125
Riiythmic changes of calibre in arterv,
325
,, l)eat of cardiac substance, 366
Kigor mortis, characters of, 98
„ „ development of carijonic
acid during, 102-106
„ „ conversion of myosinogen
into myosin during, 106
„ „ progressive order of, 149
„ ,, as compai'ed with contrac-
tion, 155, 156
Ritter Valli law, the, 146
Roots of spinal nerves, 1 73
Roy, sphygmotoiiometer of, 270, 272
„ perfusion cannula of, 297
Roy and Adami, cardiometer of, 249,
252
Roy and Rolleston, method of record-
ing endocardiao pressure of, 243,
244
Saline solution, normal, defined, 16,
note
Salts, calcium, clotting as affected by,
26
,, „ pulsation of " washed
out " heart as affected
by, 321
Sarcolemma, structure of, 86
Self-induction, 66
Semilunar valves of heart, their struc-
ture, 199
„ „ their action, 234
» „ dicrotic wave as formed
by closure of, 284,
285
Septal ganglia of heart of frog, 295
Serous fluids, artificial clotting of, 23
Serum, 15
„ chemical composition of, 18-21,
50
„ complex nature of, 303
Sheath, primitive, of nerve-fibre, 117
„ of arteries, 197
Shock, induction, 63
„ in operation, results of, 347
Short-circuiting, 62
Sodium chloriile, its action on plasma,
22 26
Somatic division of spinal nerve, 173
Sounds, musical, of contracting muscle,
142, 240
of the lieart, 238-241, 263, 266
Sphygmograph, Dudgeon's, 271
Sphygmoscope, 270
S])hygniotouometer of Rov, 272
S])iral cells, 179
Splanchnic division of spinal nerve, 173,
333
„ ganglia, 178
Spleen, the, possilile formation of red
corpuscles in, 38
„ rhytiimical action of nmscle
fibres in, 221
386
INDEX.
" Spleen-pulp," destruction of red cor-
puscles in, 36.
Spring-manometer, 245
Stagnation stage of inflammation, 359
Stasis of circulation in inflammation,
359
Stearin, its presence in blood, 51
Stellate ganglion, composite nature of
the, 316
Stimuli defined, 57
,, various kinds of, 60
„ necessary characters of, 140
Stolnikoff's method of measuring the
' out-put ' of the heart, 247
Striation of muscle-tissue, 91
,, of cardiac muscle-tissue, 304
Stroma of red corpuscles, its composi-
tion, 32
„ embryonic formation of, from
protoplasm, 36
Stromuhr of Ludwig described, 223
Substance, living, compared with dead,
3,97
„ „ metabolic changes in,
41-43
„ „ chemical composition
of, 43
Sugar, its presence in the blood, 52
Sulphur in proteids, 17
Sympathetic system, fibres to plain
muscles supplied by, 158, 162
Sympathetic system, its connection with
spinal nerves, 1 73
„ „ ganglia of the, 178
Syntonin, 99
Systole, auricular and ventricular, 231-
235
„ ventricular, a simple contrac-
tion, 240
„ and diastole, comparative dura-
tion of, 262-264
„ amount of blood driven by each,
203, 267
„ work of papillary muscles in,
233, 234
Systolic plateau, the, 247, 252, 256, 266
Tambour, Marey's, 242
Tambour-spliygmograph of Hiirthle, 270
Temperature of living bodies, 2
„ as affecting clotting, 20
irritability, 145, 148
„ „ plain muscle, 163
„ „ ciliary action, 167
„ „ vaso-motor fibres, 333,
353
Tetanic contraction, its nature, 59
„ „ due to repetition of
stimuli, 59, 141
Tetanus, phenomena of, 79-84
„ carbonic acid evolved during,
105
exhaustion of irritability from,
152
Thermopile, various forms of, 107
Thrombi, white, their nature, 49
Tigerstedt, his method of measuring
cardiac out-put, 248
Tissue, connective, 189-192
Tissues not indispensable for life, 3
,, classification of, 6
„ similarity of histological ele-
ments of, 41
„ contractile, 55-170
„ nervous, 171-187
,, vascular, 188 et supra
Tone, arterial, 326, 350
„ general, 338-346
„ bulbar vaso-motor centre for, 342-
349
,, intrinsic nature of, 349
Tortoise, persistence of ventricular beat
in, 301-304
Tricuspid valves, 232
Tuning-fork, velocity measured by, 71,
Unit, physiological, defined, 6
Urari, the nature of its action, 58, 88
Urea, a constituent of the blood, 52
„ absent from muscle-tissue, i04
„ as nitrogenous waste, 104
Utricle, primordial, 4
Vagus, inhibitory action of, 184
„ government of heart beat by, in
frog, 244, 306
„ cardiac augmentor and inhibitory
fibres in, 296, 307, 333
Valves of veins, 199, 221
„ of the heart, 199
„ ,, „ their action in circulation,
232-235
„ ,, „ sounds caused by their
closure, 239, 240
„ „ „ tricuspid, their action,
233
„ ,, „ semilunar, of the pul-
monary artery,
234
„ „ „ „ of aorta, 239, 257
Eustachian, 232
Vasa vasorum of arteries, 197
,, „ of veins, 199
Vascular mechanism, 188-376
„ main features of, apparatus,
200
„ main regulators of, apparatus,
289, 305, 324
„ walls, their action on the blood,
27
,, „ alteration of, in inflam-
mation, 359
Vaso-motor action, 324-354
„ ,, arterial tone due to, 326
„ effects of, 338
„ „ cutaneous and splanch-
nic, compensatory, 373
INDEX.
387
Vaso-niotor action, compensatory in loss
and increase of hlood,
362
„ „ summary of, SoO
centre, :ir2-:Ud
,, ,, limits of, 34(5
„ „ relations of, to other
centres, ■"Wfi
„ fibres, constrictor, 328-330,
335
„ „ „ course of, 335,
341, 350
„ ,, „ loss of medulla
in, 336, 351
„ ,, ,, tonic action of,
338-346, 350
„ „ „ chiefpartsof body
supplied by, 341
„ „ dilator, 331
„ „ „ course of, 337, 338
„ „ „ usually employed in
reflex action, 340
,, „ „ retention of medulla
in, 351
,, functions of the central ner-
vous system, 340
„ nerves of veins, 353
Veins, structure of, 198
„ minute, 199
valves of, 199, 221
„ their capacity as compared with
arteries, 202
walls of, 202
„ blood pressure in, 205, 209
„ vaso-motor nerves of, 353
Velocity of nervous impulse, 76
„ of muscular contraction, 89
„ comparative, of arterial, venous
and capillary circulation, 211-
222
„ of arterial current, 222
„ of flow in capillaries, 225
,, ,. in veins, 226
„ of blood current, 279
\'cliicity of pulse-wave, 279
Venous circulation, aids to, 221
,, ])ulse, 287
Ventricle of heart of fri)<^, its action in
heart beat, 279-301
,, ,, of tortoise, isolated, spon-
taneous heart beat of,
301, 302, 305
Ventricles of the heart, synchronism of
their action, 232
„ ,, their change of form in
cardiac cycle, 235
Vibrations of muscle sound, 142
Vierordt, his luematachometer, 223
Vieussens, annulus of, 308, 314-317
Volkmann, his hamadromometer, 222
Voluntary movements, their tetanic
character, 142
Waste matters, their discharge from the
body, 2
„ „ given out by amoebaj, 4
„ „ not necessarily useless,
43
„ nitrogenous, 104
,, ,, not increased by muscle
contraction, 105, 108
Wave, dicrotic, origin of, 282-287
„ predicrotic, 286
,, anacrotic, 287
Waves of contraction, muscular, 88
,, of nerve and muscle impulse, 127
Web of frog, arterial changes visible iu,
324
AVork, mechanical, in living body, 2
„ done by a muscle nerve prepara-
tion, 138 et supra
,, amount of, done by heart, 267
Xanthoproteic test for proteid, 17, 18
Yellow elastic fibres, 192
Zone, periphei'al, in capillaries, 356
WORKS BY MICHAEL FOSTER, Mi,, M.D, LL.D,, F.R.S.
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