in the median line, and held apart by described was able to bring on or rather perweighted hooks. The spinous processes mit the rhythm of the sphincter ani. Only were snipped off and the vertebræ broken after division of part of the anterior half of down by the bone forceps till the cord was the pons did any rhythm take place. exposed. The spinal dura mater was care- It may be objected that when I make a fully divided and the cord divided, except section of the posterior third of the pons the posterior columns, by a Cooper bistoury. that I have simply divided the cilio-spinal After death the cord was placed in alcohol, fibres. But when I made a section of the and then carefully examined. The bleeding posterior eighth of the pons, it was proved was made from the vertebral sinus. After that a dilation ensued. This did not ensue the animal recovered from the ether his feet when a posterior third of the pons was dividwere touched, and the animal was seen to ed. Of course, this leaves no doubt but that open his eyes, elevate his head, and some- sensory fibres run in the posterior third of times move his anterior extremities. The the pons. That this is their exclusive route sections of the cord were made at the junction of the dorsal and lumbar region.

The

is by no means proven by my experiments. As to the inhibitory fibres, these experiments These experiments undoubtedly proved leave no doubt in my mind that they run in that in the posterior columns certain tactile the anterior half of the pons Varolii. impressions are conveyed upward to the sensory fibres, according to these and prebrain. The question arises, are these the vious experiments, run in the posterior third only tactile fibres? That they only convey of the pons Varolii, the intermediate columns impressions of touch is quite true, and it is of the medulla oblongata and the lateral equally true that they do not convey those columns of the spinal cord. The inhibitory of pain. But when the posterior columns arise in the optic thalami, descend through are only cut, the animal seems also to per- the cerebral peduncles into the anterior half ceive sensations of a tactile nature, hence, of the pons Varolii, then into the intermediate if these fibres administer to tactile sense columns of the medulla oblongata and they are not exclusively confined to the pos- through the anterior pyramids, part descendterior columns. For simply touching a cat ing in the internal half of the middle third of with only a lateral column intact dilates the the lateral columns of the same side of the pupil, showing that tactile impressions are spinal cord, and part crossing over in the conveyed upward and re-act on the pupil. pyramids to the lateral column of the oppoAccording to Schiff, this reflex only takes site side of the spinal cord. place when the cerebrum is intact.

The tactile fibres pass up the spinal cord, of the posterior colsome direct by the THE way umns, whilst others go by the lateral col· umns. If pathological cases are referred to, there is found the one of a doctor by the name of Vieusseux, whose hands received no painful sensations, but only those of touch.

Brown-Sequard believes that the sensory fibres run in the posterior part of the pons. The path of sensory nerves in the pons Varolii was determined by the pupil-test, that of the inhibitory fibres by the rhythm of the sphincter ani.

Method.-Cats were etherized, tracheotomy was performed, then the head flexed at an acute angle with the body, the occipito

Does there Exist a Nervous as well as Vascular
Connection between the Mother and the
Fœtus in Utero?

BY CHAS. T. SCUTHWORTH, M. D.

TRANGE it is that a question of such

atloid membrane bared, as already described, vital importance, in a general sense, and

and a Cooper bistoury introduced so as to

make transverse sections of the pons. When more especially to the human race, so closely the posterior third of the pons was divided and intimately connected with our health, transversely, then the pupil-test failed. If, however, the posterior surface of the pons was divided about one-eighth of an inch in depth, then irritation of the posterior extremities was able to cause dilatation of the pupil. Neither of the sections of the extent

happiness and longevity, so governing in its natural bearings, the propagation of species, as that of the "existence of direct nervous connection between the mother and fœtus in utero," has not, ere this, been definitely settled by the medical profession. While we,

NERVOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN MOTHER AND FETUS IN UTERO.

491

as a profession, are so rapidly progressing to cöeval with vegetative life, and is formed. the highest pinnacle of success in the sci- concurrently with it; has always an insepence of surgery; while we are making such arable companion, arterial blood, and as rapid advancement in the attainment of sci- fœtal growth is from the periphery to the entific knowledge as to render diagnosis, center, from its lateral parts to the median. prognosis and pathology matters of cer- line, the sympathetic conforms to the law of tainty; while we are making such untiring natural formation, and throws out its and unremitting efforts to solve the mys- branches, as called for by growth of the fœtus, teries of nature, and to extract from them a carrying life to every part. Its constituents positive knowledge of the etiology of dis- differ from those of the nerves of the cereease and morbid conditions, the modus oper- bro-spinal system, in representing both kinds andi of medicines, the causation of sudden of fibrous nervine-the tubular and the death, and by the aid of mechanism, based gelatinous--while it is destitute of the white upon scientific and positive laws of truth, substance of Schwann; has many ganglia in have been enabled to make clear to vision its nervous trunks, and is disposed in the many of the intricate portions of the human plexiform arrangement of its fibrils, forming a organism, we have always failed to investi- fine and intricate network around the arterial gate and clearly define the functions of the tubes, and in the arterioles becomes part of organic system of nerves and muscles, which their formation by entering the substance of occupies the first and most important place the tubes, and are here so numerous that the in the formation of the human organism, arteriole is but a tube of nervous fibrils, thus without which there could be neither diges- becoming lost to sight and rendering it tion, respiration, generation of species, circu- impossible to trace them, even under the use lation of the blood, etc., and in fact life itself of a high power. The muscles of organic could not exist-endeavoring to explain all life are in close connection with the organic the phenomena of life by experimenting on system of nerves; have no tendons, are desa certain set of nerves connected with the titute of transverse striæ; are not separable cerebro-spinal system, establishing or pre- into fibrilla or discs, and are totally indetending to establish that myth called sympa- pendent of the will. The fibres are interthy, ignoring, to all intents and purposes, not woven into a network and have no fixed only the intimate and indispensable connec- attachments; in certain parts of the body tion of the cerebro-spinal nervous system with are reticulated in form, enclosing the mucous the organic nervous system, but even the glands; in others, they are disposed in layers existence of any functions belonging to or of straight and curved fibres, one over the being performed by the organic system, and other; decussate at various angles, and anashave left this question entirely in the hands tomose together, being entirely distinct from of old women, who, through the evidence of the muscles of animal life. We cite the their senses alone, believe in and most posi- esophagus, so far as its cardiac fibres, the tively declare the existence of nervous connection between the mother and the foetus in utero, and if they had knowledge of the human anatomy, would explain it satisfactorily. Let us carefully study, for a moment, the anatomy of the organic system of nerve and muscles, and, if possible, discover their func

tions.

The grand head center of the organic, otherwise called the ganglionic or sympathetic nervous system, is the sympathetic nerve, which is of early formation in the embryo, is in no way derived from or dependent upon the brain or spinal cord, exists in the absence of both in a state of full development, and in no case is more clearly defined than in acephalous monstrosities; is

stomach, intestines, bladder, and the pregnant uterus, and in other parts or organs not subject to the will or the cerebro-spinal system of nerves.

As the organic nervous system is deranged by disease or violence, the organic muscular system becomes inactive, and the progress and functions of life are impaired, diminished, or totally destroyed, as illustrated in certain diseases, to wit, phthisis, yellow fever, diphtheria, in gangrene of the extremities, etc., etc. The existence, the preservation and the propagation of life depend upon the organic nervous system, while the development of reason, the acquisition of knowledge and education, fitting us for usefulness in external life, belong to the

cerebro-spinal system. The sensory or affer- the heart to be distributed to every part of ent nerves, which conduct sensations from the economy. the extremities to the brain, are part of the organic nervous system. Thus it will be seen that in health the two nervous systems harmonize, and their combined action results in the perfect physical and mental development of the individual, and operates for his convenience.

The two hypogastric arteries and the one vein being bound together in the manner described compose the cord by which the fœtus is connected to the mother, and having shown that the uterine and hypogastric arteries are furnished with offshoots from the organic nervous system, that the hypogas tric arteries and vein terminate in capillaries within the placenta, inosculating with each other, receiving their supply of blood from

the uterine arteries, thus establishing to a
certainty the existence of nervous, as well
as vascular connection between the mother
and the fœtus in utero.
We will now give
a few cases in illustration, deducing there-
from further evidence of the incontroverti-
bility of the facts as here established:

CASE I.-Mrs. B., æt. 30, stout and healthy, was in the seventh month of gestation with her third child. It was hog-killing day. A hog was struck on the head with an axe, laying open the head almost to

Having established the origin and functions of the organic systems, and shown that they act in the economy harmoniously with the cerebro-spinal system of nerves, the uterine lacunæ, to which it is brought by and having traced them to the corpus uteri, go with me into the uterus and observe the workings of embryotic life. We here meet with the ovum just thrown out of the fallopian tube, and, having been in contact with the male spermatozoa, is fecundated, is resting upon the internal surface of the uterus, being enveloped with membranes, which, for the natural term of fetal growth, are to envelope it, here to be nourished by the mother's blood transmitted to it from the uterine arteries, purified by the passage through the placenta, and conducted by the snout, making a most ghastly wound. tubes of the finest texture, the hypogastric veins, to the embryo. Where through the capillaries it is in contact with every part of the fœtus, and is then returned to the placenta by the hypogastric arteries, there to again intermingle with the blood in the uterine lacunæ, furnished by the uterine arteries, again to be taken up by the capillaries of the hypogastric veins, anastomozing with the capillaries of the arteries, and sent forward through the veins to fill its purpose. As embryotic development progresses, one vein is obliterated and the other becomes increased in size and capacity, supported and enabled to perform its functions by being wound inanition. How can this be accounted for? spirally by the hypogastric arteries, which, in no respect, differ from other arteries in construction, supplied with the same nervous force terminating in capillaries, and performing the same duty. The placenta, in its functions and circulatory supply, resembles the liver of the adult, and for the foetus performs the same duties, and by the same means that the liver performs its functions, of purifying the blood, divesting it of all effete matter, and being taken up by the capillaries of the hepatic veins, is carried to the vena cava ascendens-by it to the heart, thence through the lungs, and returned to

The head was thrown into the kitchen, on the floor, the wound in full view of the door to the dining room. Mrs. B. came into the kitchen, saw the head and screamed, and fell in a swoon. She was carried to her bedroom and I was sent for. She was in col. lapse at my arrival, from which she slowly recovered, and in a few days was sufficiently restored to enable her to attend to her household. I was with her at her confinement. Labor normal. The child had the most disgusting double hare-lip, with fissured palate, I ever met with. Could neither nurse nor swallow, and died on the seventh day, of

It

The sight of the hog's head did it, in this
way: The mother received the impression
of this horrible wound upon the retina.
was instantly conveyed to the brain (the
cerebro-spinal center) by the optic nerve,
thence via the spinal nerves to the sacral
ganglia which are connected with the spinal
nerves by delicate nervous filaments, thence
to the organic nerves, derived from the
sacral ganglia and supplying the uterine
arteries, to the terminations of these arteries
in the glands of the placental lobules to the
organic glands at the terminations of the hy-
pogastric arteries of the foetus, by the anas-

NERVOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN MOTHER AND FETUS IN UTERO.

tomozing of the maternal and foetal organic glands in the placenta, thence through the organic nerves surrounding the hypogastric arteries to the foetus, thus demonstrating a complete and direct nervous chain for communication between the mother and fœtus in

utero.

CASE II.—Mrs. S., æt. 37, full of vigor; never sick; in the fourth month of her fourth pregnancy. Her little boy of six years was kicked by a horse, lacerating and break. ing down the nose and upper eyelid, making a bad wound. She lifted him in her arms and sent for me. I found her as white as chalk. Laid her boy on a bed and ordered her to be assisted to her room. In three hours she was able to assume charge of her son. I attended her during confinement, and her infant had a most delicately traced cicatrix on the right lid,extending from the inner canthus to the margin of the temporal bone.

Is it true that a direct nervous connection can exist between the mother and fœtus in utero ? If not, in what rational way can this be accounted for?

CASE III.--Mrs. H., a very strong and healthy woman, æt. 34, in the fifth month with her seventh child, was visiting in Petersburg, and, walking on the street, met three children, all of them deformed in feet and hands. She suffered great disgust at the sight of these children; returned home on the evening train, sick. I was called to her in the night; she was about to suffer an abortion; it was completed at 3 P. 3 P. M. the following day. The child manifested life for a few hours only. This was her first and only abortion, and she has carried to full term three children since. She says, "I was sick at heart at the sight of those poor, unfortunate children, and I knew I would lose mine. I ought to have remained at home." In this case the impression was made upon the retina, carried to the brain by the optic nerve, through the spinal cord, spinal nerve, the sacral ganglia, the network of the uterine arteries, to the organic nerves of the uterus itself, causing contraction of the organic muscular fibres, consequently abortion. Nothing can be more direct or more certain than this. The auditory nerve hearing bad news, the relating of some shocking acci dent, like the optic, becomes the active courier to the brain, and shock is caused,

493

resulting in the death or physical or mental
And I could
injury to the fœtus in utero.
cite a number of cases, but they are too
common to be novel. A woman in gesta-
tion becomes fully determined to destroy her
child. She asks for help, does not obtain it.
Meeting with opposition on all sides, neces-
sarily carries her child to full term. This
infant has such impressions made upon the
brain during ante-natal life, transmitted from
the brain of the mother, through the direct
nervous chain here established, that murder
and the idea of murder is part of its cerebro
spinal organization, and is born to become
a fit subject for the exercise of justice in

our courts.

The woman, during gestation, has strong and almost unendurable desire for stimulants

and narcotics; if such desire on the part of the mother is not satisfied by some means, her child, when born and matured, will be a

drunkard, an incurable one.

I think the cases here given, with thousands similar, that it would be but short work to compile, show most conclusively that impressions made upon the cerebro-spinal nervous center (the brain), conveyed to it by the optic, auditory, or even the olfactory nerves, and in case of deafness and blindness existing in the mother, by the fine nervous filaments located in the periphery, are conveyed to the foetus, through the organic nervous system, and the mother does deface and deform her offspring, both physically and mentally. Now, the subject can be carried a little further, and it will necessarily follow, from analogy, that crime in all its forms, mental and moral degradation, vagrancy and mendicancy are thus transmitted, and that this is, so-called, cerebro-spinal heredity.

The exhibitions and functions of life in the fœtus are ab initio; are derived from the organic nervous system, and are fully developed in the infant, but the functions of the cerebro-spinal nervous system, and the manifestations of the mind, are not fully developed until maturity. The organic nervous system works continually, co-ordinately with the arterial blood; it requires no rest, and its operations cease only with death. The cerebro-spinal system must not be overworked; to it rest is indispensable, It must sleep or lose its integrity.

MONROE, Mich., Feb. 18, 1880.

Opium Poisoning.

BY DR. W. F. BREAKEY, ANN ARBOR, MICH.

THE

of zinc had been dissolved, with the hope that vomiting-which had already been atHE following report of opium poison- tempted without success-might still do ing may be of interest to some of your good. This, however, was trusted to atreaders. I had thought to forward it to you tendants, and no time lost in injecting hypoafter reading the very interesting report of dermically a solution of caffein, which was cases in the November number of THE followed in a few minutes by the pupils diLANCET by Dr. Lewis, and send it now in lating, the respiration becoming better, the lieu of a promised paper. capillary congestion and dusky skin less.

The efforts to produce vomiting failed, though so much irritants had been got into the stomach as to fear injury from that source.

I re

Dr. Lewis' theory of the antidotal effect of atropia persistently administered, and his method of using it, are of much interest and led me to think that perhaps I had erred in the manner and quantity of giving atroThe improvement following the first injec pine in this case and in two others in which tion of caffein was but temporary, and all I used it, though not so heroically as Dr. L. the unfavorable symptoms returned. Rerecommends, with little or no apparent bene- peating the injecting of caffein, I came back fit. Though in this case the quantity was to my office for my stomach pump and gal determined by the accident of having but vanic battery. On my return at 4 o'clock, little within reach. Yet all three of the being absent between twenty and thirty cases, two of which were very bad, recover- minutes, I found my patient worse, though ed under treatment not materially different he had been better for a few minutes. from that ordinarily recommended. Though peated the injection of caffein and prepared the experience of these cases has increased to remove from the stomach what we had my confidence in the value of caffein and of put in it at least. The ordinary tube could the maintenance of artificial respiration not be used, and, after some delay, a soft when that function flags, still, the discovery catheter, connected to the stomach pump by of a sure antidote for opium narcosis is a great rubber tubing, was introduced into the stomdesideratum for which every practitioner ach and that viscus emptied of a considermust sometime feel the need, and if the use able quantity of stringy mucus and well of atropia boldly administered fails to prove washed by the injection and removal of tepid such antidote, the profession will still be water, and lastly, some fresh decoction of under obligations to Dr. Lewis for demon- coffee injected through the pump and left strating that its use can safely be carried so in the stomach. much further than the authorities of the text books advise.

POISONING BY LAUDANUM OF A FIVE WEEKS'
OLD INFANT.

(Read before the Washtenaw Co. Medical Society.)

I was called at 2 o'clock a. M., in August last, by an anxious father, who said he was "afraid they had given their five weeks' old babe too much laudanum." In reply to my inquiry as to how much they had given, he said "not more than two or three drops an hour or two before, that it had slept pretty soundly, and now they could not wake it."

The condition of the patient, however, grew worse, and the galvanic battery, with an interrupted current, was used without apparent improvement or effect. The respiration grew slower, the skin more dusky, the face almost black, the lips and tongue swollen, the heart almost ceased to beat; there was such extended congestion of the lungs, with accumulation of mucus in bron chi, and the little patient would go so long without breathing-several times over threefourths of a minute-as to appear dead, as in fact I believe it would have been but for The child was found limp, dusky; pupils the persistent efforts by artificial respiration, contracted to size of large pin heads; respira- cold affusions, and stimulating inhalations of tion about six to the minute and very irregu- ammonia, and the repeated use of the caffein lar. Heart's action slow; temperature, taken injections, to which latter agent I attributed, soon after, slightly raised. It was with much at the time, the salvation of the babe's life; difficulty that it could be got to swallow in though where several agencies are used, it small quantities and slowly a mixture of is not practicable to accurately estimate the mustard and water in which some sulphate value of any single one. Without the ef