STIMULATION OF NERVES BY DIRECT CURRENTS

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Abstract
- The responses of circulated cat''s motor nerves to ascending or descending direct currents (d.c.) of variable voltage suggest that stimulation may occur not only at the cathode at make and at the anode at break, but also in the reversed relation. The suggestion is supported by the results of stimulating through a localized electrode on the nerve and a diffuse lead through the surrounding tissues. Observations made on excised nerves give direct evidence that the suggestion is correct. Applications of prolonged d.c. or of brief pulses result in repetitive responses from the nerves if the voltage is over 1.5 to 3 times rheobase. The frequency of this repetition increases with the voltage of the d.c. These statements apply both to the closure and the opening of d.c, but repetition at the opening requires higher voltages than repetition during the passage of the current.

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