The role of the accelerator nerves in bulbar anemia

In a previous report1 on the action of the vagus in bulbar anaemia induced by temporary occlusion of the head arteries, it was shown that, after division of both vagi, the heart rate does not change during the anaemic rise of blood-pressure, but remains at whatever maximum rate was attained after vagotomy.It has been thought desirable to find out the effect on heart rate during the cardio-vascular response to bulbar anaemia, of removal of the stellate ganglia through which run the accelerator fibers to the heart. Accordingly, in a series of cats, after a control occlusion had been done according to the usual method,2 the stellate ganglia were excised and further occlusions were done. Following is a typical result of such an experiment.It is evident from the above table, that, with the accelerators eliminated, the vagi are over-active in holding the heart rate down. Under such conditions, recovery of the medulla after the circulation has been restored to the head arteries may, at times, be somewhat difficu...