Elements of human physiology / by L. Hermann ; translated from the sixth edition by Arthur Gamgee.

  • Gamgee Arthur, 1841-1909.
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of human physiology / by L. Hermann ; translated from the sixth edition by Arthur Gamgee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    vfhich is opposite in direction to the polarizing and electrotonic currents. In order to explain this functional current it is assumed that the excitatory wave varies in intensity as it passes through the different electrotonic areas, becoming more intense as it approaches more positively or less negatively polarized portions of the nerve, and vice versa. This is called the doctrine of the ' polarizational increment of excitation,' and it rests upon the following among other considerations. There is, during excita- tion of a polarized nerve, a powerful intrapolar current of like direction with the polarizer. This is not due to a diminution of the resistance offered by the nerve during the period of excitation, as was formerly supposed (Grriinhagen), for the powers of resistance of nerves are in no wise altered during excitation (Hermann); but it is a distinct electro-motive phenomenon. It would follow directly from the above doctrine: since, according to it, the excitatory wave passing along the polarized nerve would be most intense at the polarizing anode and least intense at the polarizing cathode— precisely the electro-motive conditions which are favourable for the production of such an intrapolar current.] [The advanced student who may wish to consult the original memoirs which form the basis of the above account, is referred to the following list:— Die Ergebnisse neiierer Untersuchungen aiif dam Gebiete der thie- rischen Electricitat. L. Hermann, 1868. Untersuchungen iiber die Entwicklung des Muskelstroms. Pfiiig. Arch. vol. XV. p. 191. Versuche mit dem Fall-Ilheotoiii iiber die Erregungsschwankimg des Muskels. Pflug. Arch. vol. xv. p. 233. Untersuchungen iiber die Actionsstrome des Muskels. Pfliig. Arch. vol. xvi. p. 191. Ueber den Actionsstrom der Muskeln in lebenden Menschen. Pfliig. Arch. vol. xvi. p. 410.]