THE CONDUCTION OF THE NERVE IMPULSE

Abstract

A summary of the more recent investigations on nerve conduction, up to the middle of 1926. Special attention is given to "conduction with a decrement," and the reasons for believing that the classical conception of Keith Lucas is erroneous. The evidence indicates that the all-or-none law holds for narcotized as well as normal nerve. The chemical and thermal evidence for metabolism in the nerve associated with conduction is considered in some detail. Other topics reviewed more briefly are: the compound nature of the action current and the velocity of conduction in various fiber groups, excitation, the refractory period and the recovery process, and theories of the mechanism of conduction.