Motor Response of the Stomach and Small Intestine Caused by Stimulation of the Peripheral End of the Splanchnic Nerve, Thoracic Sympathetic Trunk and Spinal Roots

The increased motor response of the gastro-intestinal activity caused by peripheral stimulation of the splanchnic nerve, thoracic sympathetic trunk and its dorsal roots was studied on anesthetized and unanesthetized dogs and toads.1) Peripheral stimulation of the splanchnic nerve and thoracic sympathetic trunk, causes universally inhibition of gastro-intestinal motility and at times, produced augmentation. The conditions capable of producing the motor response in the normal animals are different in the individuals.2) After blocking the coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglia, stimulation of the splanchnic nerve and theracic sympathetic trunk always produce augmentation of the movement. The blockade of these ganglia was the indispensable condition necessary in producing the increased gastro-intestinal motor response by sympathetic stimulation.3) By peripheral stimulation of the dorsal root of the thoracic cord, motor augmentation of gastro-intestinal motility can always be obtained. The motor response is not influenced by the block of the coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglia and the ganglia of the thoracic sympathetic trunk.After a nicotine-solution is injected into the spinal ganglia, stimulation of the dorsal roots has no effect on gastro-intestinal activity.Stimulation of the ventral root of the thoracic, cord always. causes inhibition.After blocking the coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglia, this inhibitory effect almost totally disappears.