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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The Effect of Thermic Stress on the Somatic Reaction of Rage and on Rapid Circling Turns, in the cat

subject

description

An investigation was made of the effect of thermic stress on the somatic rage reaction and on rapid circling turns in cats awake and free to move in a behavioural cage. An increase in room temperature had a two-phase effect on the excitability of the nervous structures stimulated that is able to evoke the somatic rage reaction and rapid circling turns. The first phase, at room temperature 25 degrees-30 degrees C, was characterized by hypoexcitability; the second phase, appearing after longer periods of exposure and at temperatures above 30 degrees C, was characterized by the onset panting, hyperexcitability of the nervous structures stimulated and then by lowering of the somatic rage reaction threshold and a very significant increase in the number of circling turns. Experimentation on the action of cold external temperature on the excitability of structures involved in evoking the somatic rage reaction and rapid circling turns indicated an increase in their excitability, corresponding to an increase in spontaneous and evoked somatic motor activity.