GALVANIC SKIN REFLEX FROM ANIMALS WITH COMPLETE TRANSECTION OF THE SPINAL CORD

Abstract

These experiments are concerned with the question of the parts of the central nervous system which are necessary for the production of the galvanic skin reflex. By complete thoracic transection of the spinal cord of the cat the author demonstrates that the segmental and inter-segmental mechanisms of the spinal cord are sufficient for the production of the reflex, independent of the hind-brain, mid-brain or thalamus. Furthermore, the reflex galvanic response of the spinal cat shows spontaneous galvanic deflections of much the same nature as those which are obtained in normal intact cat when frightened.