CHAPTER VII.

PATHOLOGICAL OFFICES OF THE SYMPATHETIC GANGLIA.

IT is deemed best, since we are not writing these chapters for the exclusive benefit of educated physicians, to express our thoughts in language suitable to the comprehension of the common mind. Now and then, however, we may be permitted to employ technical terms, because they best embody the thought designed for the reader's understanding. And here we will add that we hold ourselves open to "more light," to the end that we may explain and further illustrate what has been freely, but perhaps too vaguely, communicated.

All the knowledge in our possession concerning the exist ence, anatomy, and pathological offices of the Pneumogastrical Nerve, was acquired by means of clairvoyant examinations of the human body, extending through a series of years, and under every imaginable degree and variety of mental condition and external circumstances. Much, therefore, is a matter of memory, from which we draw perpetual lessons, as from the wellspring of a strange and multifarious experience. But while writing upon these medical questions, as well as upon other topics, there is, in addition to this available treasury of past examinations, a present illumination of the intellectual faculties,

and a finer clairvoyance also, whereby the things in human bodies, about which we write, are made limpid and as systematic as the trees in the landscape and the flowing waters thereof, under the beautiful effulgence of a July sun.

Of the Pneumogastric Nerve, we trace its magnetic terminations into the intestinal cavity, upon the muscular fabrics of which its motive influences are freely exerted. This fact last named, which is most perfectly exhibited to the inner vision, might induce the erroneous impression that the Nerve itself penetrates the lower abdomen, while, in fact, it reaches and centers only in certain portions of the upper viscera, but practically, (i. e., in the effect of Will upon this Nerve,) we were perfectly correct in our last chapter, which the reader is requested to re-examine and analyze.

The internal beauty of the human physical temple surpasses the descriptive power of language. Viewed with the leaden eyes of materialism, and studied from the wholly physiological standpoint, the body presents nothing either "fearful or wonderful." Once open your spiritual eyes, however-fix their analytical powers upon the anatomical structure of the nervous system-and the wonders of a universe are instantly unfolded to your understanding. Wheels within organs, tissues within muscles, fibers within nerves, globes within blood, motion within life, sensation within motion, and myriads of beautiful processes going on in the several departments of the temple at the same moment-all impress the spirit-observer with sublime and unutterable truths, and with gratitude beyond all bounds of expression.

The principal mystery of the nervous system is its invisible influence or energy. Physiologists have long since supposed an identity between the so-called galvanic fluid and that potential principle which pervades and imparts divine dynamics to

the whole nervous organism. But we are now enabled to approach the presence of more interior realities, and to comprehend more truth respecting the nervauric mystery of man. We are permitted to contemplate the human system in its perfectly dual structure, and to behold the labyrinthine passages and sequestered retreats of the Interior Life of Man. The object of all such discoveries is the harmonization of the individual, with special reference to the banishment of disease and the establishment of pure health, as the basis of all spiritual prosperity and progression.

The double structure of man's constitution is illustrated through all its wondrous detail. Every nerve, however threadlike and delicate, is composed of two distinct cords-positive and negative lines or conductors-each having a separate and distinct function to perform in the organic economy. The positive nerve is filled with a conducting substance essentially different from the material within the negative nerve, both lying side by side in one membranous sheath, and discharging different duties with the most perfect harmony and reciprocation. It is beautiful to observe how all the nerves start out from the primitive brain, (the medulla oblongata,) and proceed in the performance of their mission in married pairs, two by two, and how they never become confused and separated so long as body and soul remain together.

The encephalos and its nerves constitute the basis of all physiological existence. From the brain we proceed downwards and inwards. The spinal nerves, each brace of which connects with the spinal cord, are systematically arranged in pairs with reciprocal offices. One side of each nerve-or rather one nerve within each tube-conveys motion; the other, sensation. These motory and sensatory nerves start out from the brain-matter, and extending down the whole length of the

spinal column, they branch out upon the several internal organs, and distribute themselves to all external parts of the system. Besides this general statement, with respect to all the nerves, it should be observed that there are two systems of nerves, which operate differently within the temple.

First, there are the long nerves and the plexuses; second, the sympathetic nerves and ganglionic centers. The first ramify throughout the exterior parts of the frame, and are the direct lines of sensational experience, connecting the intellectual part with the external world. Solids, fluids, sounds, odors, ethers, elements, objects-all get themselves reported upon the brain by means of the five senses, and the nervous influences by which the organal parts of the system are perpetually inspired. The ganglionic system, on the other hand, is an internal structure for the direct maintenance of organic existence. The grand source of internal sympathy is sometimes termed, "the great intercostal Nerve," which arises within the brain, or from a joint contribution of the fifth and sixth pair, and descends by the sides of the bodies of the vertebræ of the neck, thorax, loins, and os sacrum. In the thorax it perforates the diaphragm, forms the semi-lunar ganglionic plexus, and proceeds to ramify, and fix ganglia, in all the abdominal viscera. In fact, there is no part of the body neglected by this great sympathetic conductor of automatic principles.

This great nerve-system within man's body is the connecting link between lower life and the instinct of the spiritual constitution. It is quite different from the Pneumogastric Nerve, which conducts the will and decisions of the judgment to the heart, lungs, stomach, etc. The sympathetic Nerveplexuses, on the contrary, collect and convey the pure automatic principles of integral motion, life, and instinctive energy, to all the interior structures, to all the lymphatic vessels, and to

every particle of living blood in the organism, by means of innumerable filaments; so that, in a certain and positive sense, all parts of the body are sympathetically related and tied by the bonds of affection together, forming one brotherhood of interest and mutuality of functions, and making it quite impossible for one member to suffer without disturbing the health and prosperity of all other parts.

We repeat that the Sympathetic nerve confers nothing in the form of sensibility or power of movement to the organism; and yet, what is far better, it is the grand conductor (almost fountain) of vitality and instinctive justice to the different and subordinate parts. Intuition is derived from the instinct of this wonderful system of ganglia. Sensibility, excitability, and irritability belong to the other system of conductors and the brain; but vitality, animation, instinct, and affection, belong to the great Sympathetic department; and so complete is the inter-mechanical operation of these nerves and ganglia, that intelligence and will are not necessary to the performance of their appropriate functions. The pathological offices of the sympathetic plexuses, however, are measurably within the jurisdiction of the possessor, as ultimately the whole interior will be subordinated to the voluntary powers of the cerebrum, when man will put all diseases, as well as more hurtful enemies, beneath his feet. The offices pathological are involuntary, yet the vital ends are accomplished better when the individual will second the operation.

It is well known that in the healthy brain there is a considerable quantity of phosphorus. In idiots this element is deficient. Phosphorus not only exists in the tissues and fibers of the brain, but this element is constantly and incessantly secreted throughout the entire ganglionic systems. The ganglionic globules are supplied with it, and it is in part by