THE COMPONENT OF THE DORSAL ROOT MEDIATING VASODILATATION AND THE SHERRINGTON CONTRACTURE

Abstract

Antidromic dilatation produced in the cat by stimulation of the dorsal roots is mediated entirely by a group of fibers responsible for the C wave of the action potential picture. These fibers have a velocity of conduction in the region of 2 m. per sec. When a muscle has been sensitized by destruction of its motor innervation, the contracture produced by stimulation of its sensory innervation (the Sherrington contracture) is also mediated by fibers responsible for the C wave. These facts taken together are strong evidence that the fibers involved in the 2 cases are identical and that the contracture is dependent upon the dilator mechanism. A discussion of this point is given.