The Analysis of the Nervous System

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the analysis of the nervous system. It explores the central nervous system by highlighting the time-honoured form of experiment in which only one influence at a time is allowed to vary. The central nervous system might have been expressly designed to baffle such experiments, for it is there to be influenced by every circumstance that can matter to the organism. It is continually receiving messages from many sense organs and sending orders to many muscles. One of the most important differences between conduction in the reflex arc and in the nerve-muscle preparation was that a volley of sensory impulses could arrest activity in some of the motor nerve cells of the cord besides arousing it in others. It could inhibit and also excite, and in general the reflex contraction of one muscle would always involve the relaxation of those opposing the movement.