SYMPATHETIC INHIBITION OF THE LARGE INTESTINE IN HIRSCHSPRUNG'S DISEASE 1

Abstract

In 2 cases of Hirschsprung''s disease spinal anesthesia temporarily terminated the motor inertia of the large bowel; bilateral lumbar sympathetic ganglionectomy, carried out in 1 case, produced permanent improvement. In 10 cats the colon remained inert when exposed under light ether anesthesia; so long as the extrinsic innervation remained intact, profound asphyxia was the only state in which peristalsis took place. If, however, the paths of the sympathetic nerves to the large bowel were interrupted at any point, vigorous motor activity promptly appeared. If both lumbar sympathetic chains or the inferior mesenteric ganglia were removed, then peristalsis and increased muscular tonus was widespread. But, if one or more of the colonic nerves in the mesentery of the colon were cut distally to the inferior mesenteric ganglion, then motor activity appeared only in the segment supplied by that nerve. Evidently there is constant sympathetic stimulation passing to the colon under the conditions of the experiment (probably a reflex from the peritoneal wound) completely inhibiting motor activity until the sympathetic pathway is interrupted.