THE EFFECTS OF PREGANGLIONIC DENERVATION ON THE SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLION

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Abstract
The effect of denervation of the superior cervical ganglion upon its sensitivity to acetylcholine was studied in cats. Three methods were employed. The 1st two, intraven. injs. of acetylcholine after atropine and curare, and local applications of acetylcholine solns. to the ganglia without any drugs, merely confirmed previous observations of Cannon and Rosenblueth. These observations have been contested by Briicke. In the 3d method acetylcholine was injected into the common carotids after ligation of the external carotids. This method allows a ready differentiation of the effects of acetylcholine on the ganglion from the direct effects on the nictitating membrane, the indicator of ganglionic discharge. The denervated ganglia were consistently about 4 times more sensitive than the normal control ganglia, as measured by threshold doses. The problem of the sensitization of the nictitating membrane to adrenaline after preganglionic denervation was also studied. The sensitivity of the membrane to both adrenaline and acetylcholine is increased by chronic decentralization; its sensitivity to atropine and curare is probably also modified thereby.

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