One important consideration from their study following sino-aortic denervation was the integrity of the vagi and the preservation of cardiopulmonary afferents.
It is a familiar physiologic fact that stimulation of the vagi slows the heart or even stops it.
The heart is slowed by the action of nicotin on the vagi, as these nerves are stimulated both centrally and peripherally.
Under the influence of atropin the heart rate is increased by paralysis of the vagi.
An overdose of nicotin will paralyze the vagi.
This slow heart sometimes occurs after rheumatic fever; it is quite frequent after diphtheria, and may show a disturbance of the vagi.
