Effect of Anoxemia, Carbon Dioxide and Lactic Acid on the Autonomic Fibers of Somatic and Visceral Nerves

Abstract

In a previous paper,1 the effects of anoxemia, CO2 and lactic acid on certain fibers of somatic nerves were described. Further investigations by the author2 and by Heinbecker and Bishop3 have identified in autonomic nerves 2 other components of potential which possess properties different from those previously described by Gasser and Erlanger.4 Similar action potentials traced by Erlanger and Gasser5 from sympathetic rami into somatic nerves and thoroughly studied there by them apparently arise from similar fibers. We have found their potentials to have the same properties there as in autonomic nerves. These fibers have a higher threshold, a slower conduction rate, a longer absolutely and relatively refractory period, a longer chronaxie, and a potential at the stimulus of longer duration.With the use of higher amplification (200 mm. per mv.) than employed in the previous work on CO2, the compound conducted action potential of sciatic nerves of the frog, turtle, cat, dog and the monkey give rise to the sam...