Reflex Respiration

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Abstract
During the apnea occurring spontaneously in decerebrate animals, or induced by anoxia, anesthesia, or morphine and related drugs, a stage occurs between that of complete unresponsiveness and full recovery, when breathing may be maintained reflexly. Stimulation of skin as by pinching, or compression of the thorax are the most effective kinds of stimulation. Refractoriness and longer-lasting states of subnormal responsiveness may be demonstrated. With increasing recovery repetitive responses can follow single stimuli, and periods of after-discharge may be seen. After resumption of breathing, periods of reflex stimulation evoke an increase in amplitude and rate, and after cessation of stimulation there may remain marked potentiation of spontaneous breathing. In reflex respiration the pattern assumed is appropriate to the neurological substratum functionally available at that time.

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