THE COURSE OF RECOVERY OF THE SPINAL CORD FROM ASPHYXIA

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Abstract
The effect of asphyxia on the lumbo-sacral cord of spinal cats was investigated, the asphyxia being produced by raising the intradural pressure above that of the arterial blood, thereby preventing blood from reaching the region involved. Asphyxia was maintained for periods of 25-75 min. and the behavior of spinal reflexes observed during this time and for as long as 3 wks. following. After long asphyxia (55 to 65 min.) tendon reflexes and tone returned for 48 hr. at the most, then disappeared. After shorter periods (35-55 min.), these reflexes and the extensor tone returned permanently and were intense. The strong extensor tone was of reflex origin since transection of the dorsal roots of the lower cord abolished it. Histological prep. showed that a majority of the nerve cells of the cord had degenerated 14 days following the asphyxia, the number surviving diminishing with increasing duration. The increased reflex excitability and the exaggerated tone were evidently the result of release, the normal inhibitory systems of the cord being more damaged by asphyxia than the excitatory systems.

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