William Clift

“ That the action of the heart is in general accelerated for a few beats by injuries to the brain or spinal marrow; but that destroying the spinal marrow after the brain has been separated renders the action of the heart slower for a few beats. ”

“ That whether the heart is exposed or not, its action continues long after the brain and spinal marrow are destroyed; and still longer when the brain is removed without previous injury to its substance. ”