Nov. 12.—A cat was etherized (2.35 p.m.) and the medulla was punctured (piqûre) at 3.12. The operation was without effect. The loss or lessening of effectiveness on second stimulation of the left splanchnic nerves is to be compared with the persistence of effectiveness on the right side:
| 3.40 | 4.5 | minutes |
| .45 | 4.5 | “ |
| .54 to .56 | Stimulation of left splanchnic in abdomen. | |
| 4.00 | 3 | minutes |
| .05 | 2 | “ |
| .10 | 5.5 | “ |
| .16 | 5 | “ |
| .22 to .27 | Stimulation of left splanchnic in abdomen. | |
| .30 | 4 | minutes |
| .34 | 4 | “ |
| .39 | 4 | “ |
| .44 | 4 | “ |
| .48 | 4 | “ |
| .55 to .57 | Stimulation of right splanchnic. | |
| .59 | 3 | minutes |
| 5.02 | 2.5 | “ |
| .07 | 3 | “ |
| .11 | 3 | “ |
| .15 | 5.5 | “ |
| .22 | 5.5 | “ |
The experiments above recorded show that stimulation of the splanchnic nerves results immediately, or after a brief period, in a shortening of the coagulation time of the blood—an effect which in different animals varies in duration and intensity, and diminishes as the stimulation is repeated. The next question was whether this effect is produced through the adrenal glands.
Coagulation Not Hastened by Splanchnic Stimulation if the Adrenal Glands are Absent
The manner in which splanchnic stimulation produces its effects is indicated in the following experiments:
Nov. 28.—A cat was etherized, and through the orbit the central nervous system was destroyed to the midthorax. The blood vessels of the left adrenal gland were then quickly tied and the gland removed. The readings for a half hour before the left splanchnic nerve was stimulated averaged seven minutes, then—
| 4.38 to .40 | Stimulation of left splanchnic (glandless). | |
| .42 | 7 | minutes |
| .50 | 7 | “ |
| 5.02 to .04 | Stimulation of right splanchnic. | |
| .06 | 4 | minutes |
| .10 | 7 | “ |
| .18 | 7 | “ |
| .26 | 7 | “ |
Dec. 4.—A cat was etherized and pithed through the orbit to the neck region. The right and left splanchnic nerves were tied and cut in the thorax. The left adrenal gland was then carefully removed. These operations consumed about a half-hour. The following records show the effect of stimulating the left and right splanchnic nerves:
| 4.10 | 5 | minutes |
| .16 | 4.5 | “ |
| .25 to .28 | Stimulation of left splanchnic (glandless). | |
| .30 | 4.5 | minutes |
| .35 | 4.5 | “ |
| .40 | 7.5 | “ |
| .49 to .51 | Stimulation of right splanchnic. | |
| .55 | 4.5 | minutes |
| 5.00 | 2.5 | “ |
| .14 | 6 | “ |
| .23 to .25 | Stimulation of right splanchnic. | |
| .26 | 6 | minutes |
| .33 | 4.5 | “ |
| .38 | 3.5 | “ |
| .43 | 4.5 | “ |
| .49 | 5 | “ |
| .55 | 6 | “ |
The results in this experiment are represented graphically in [Fig. 31].