THE TRANSMISSION OF SYMPATHETIC NERVE IMPULSES

Abstract

This review deals with transmission at the endings of such postganglionic sympathetic nerves as liberate sympathin. "It is probable that the differences between sympathin and adrenaline and also the opposite actions of adrenaline or sympathetic nerve impulses on different autonomic effectors, excitatory or inhibitory, have a common basis: a differentiating factor in the effector. It is probable also that there is no electrical transmission in these systems. Whether sympathin acts directly on the effector systems or indirectly by setting up conducted disturbances is, at present, an open question. The review and discussion of the reports on the electrical excitabilitv and the electrical phenomena of smooth muscle show the balance of the evidence to be in favor of the first alternative. No general explanation of these phenomena is available.".