The Body at Work: A Treatise on the Principles of PhysiologyHill, Alex
Science
The Body at Work: A Treatise on the Principles of Physiology
Hill, Alex
Physiology
It is necessary to warn the reader that a reversion to the old idea of
“conduction through grey matter”—_i.e._, otherwise than by a chain
of neurones—is unorthodox. It is set forth here because it seems to
the writer that the various phenomena which have to be accounted for
fit in best with the hypothesis of a double path. If evidence of the
anatomical possibility of extra-neuronic conduction is asked for, it
may be pointed out that the chrome-silver and methylene-blue methods,
upon which our knowledge of neurones is based, do not, in the very
nature of the case, show that grey matter consists only of neurones
and their obvious branches. As they select particular elements of
structure, we can never by their use alone know what they fail to
show. Attention may also be called to the fact that the same staining
process which reveals pericellular nets (p. 301) shows also a structure
resembling a network in the substance which intervenes between them.
Truly the method is a rough one. It may well be thought that the
nitric acid used to fix the tissue may cause strange coagulations with
solution of uncoagulated substance; but, as was remarked with regard
to the pericellular nets, regular patterns indicate architectural
differentiation. But whether these nets do or do not give hints as
to the nature of the conducting medium, there is no difficulty in
finding sufficient material, after all the substance entering into the
formation of the conducting neurones, as we imagine them, has been
accounted for. _Ex hypothesi_, the conducting material is provided
by the fibrils of the sensory nerves in their extensions beyond
the limits to which the deposit of subchromate of silver extends,
when the chrome-silver method of displaying neurones has been used.
Sensation-impulses enter neuronic chains. The condition which, when it
affects the seat of consciousness, is known as pain, progresses up the
vertebrate neuropil.
Energy is developed within the nervous system. The =force of impulses=
is adjusted to the resistance which they have to overcome. Stimulation
of the millions of twigs of the vagus nerve in the lungs brings about
the gentle movements of ribs and diaphragm which constitute peaceful
respiration. A crumb of bread touching the mucous membrane of the
larynx stimulates a few of the endings of the same vagus nerve. Like
an avalanche, the impulses gather head as they advance, causing, not
the diaphragm and intercostal muscles alone to do their utmost, but
calling into action half a dozen accessory muscles of respiration. It
is difficult to account for this reverberation of the messages which
clamour for the ejection of the crumb of bread without figuring them as
spreading from neurone to neurone, urging each in turn to deliver its
maximal discharge.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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