J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 55(3): 274-287, 1954

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Original article

ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC STUDIES ON THE APPEARANCE OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK.

During recent years Shimada et al., have made extensive studies on shock caused by passing electricity through the thighs of rabbits. By this method it is possible to produce shock quantitatively and follow its course objectively through the studies of blood, namely, the increase of amino nitrogen, decrease of pH and CO₂ contents. Cortical and subcortical (globus pallidus, nucleus caudatus and thalamus) waves were observed simultaneously by direct ink-writing and the following results were obtained:
1. In animals unprepared to prevent shock the various areas lost their characferistic features and appeared synchronized. This occurred before the appearance of shock by blood studies.
2. Although, shock did not appear in animals prepared to prevent shock by severing the splanchnic nerves, the changes that occurred centrally were the same as in the unprepared animal.
3. Changes in the electroencephalogram were not observed when electric currents were passed through the head. As shown by blood studies, shock does not appear when electricity is passed through the head. In this study also, the features seen in the above did non appear.
4. The electrical changes in the various areas of the brain when syncronization occurred, was the lost of characteristic features in the individual waves and the appearance of high voltage fast waves.
5. By electrical stimulation of the thalamus by weak galvanic currents, this synchronization was produced experimentally.
6. From the above experiments, the reflection through the splanchnic nerves of the changes in the diencephalic level caused by abnormal afferent impulses appear to be an important central factor for the appearance of shock.
(author's abstract)

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