Communication and coordination
The Normal Complete Cycle
Stephenson’s outline of an ongoing cycle of function and response.
The big idea
The cycle organizes his account into an outward, or efferent, half and a returning, or afferent, half. For a beginner, the helpful idea is the complete relationship rather than memorizing all 31 steps. It gives a map for terms encountered elsewhere in the book.
An everyday illustration
A conversation includes speaking, listening, and responding. Focusing only on what is sent misses the returning side.
An original illustration to help explain the idea, not a quotation or evidence of a biological mechanism.
In the author’s words
“The Normal Complete Cycle is the outline of the story of the normal functioning of Innate in the body.”
1927 edition · PDF page 40
Explore this book
“There are sixteen in the efferent half and fifteen in the afferent half.”
1927 edition · PDF page 40
Explore this book
Short excerpts from the indexed edition; line breaks are normalized. PDF page numbers refer to the source file, and may differ from printed page numbers.
Read it in context
Stephenson calls it an outline of a story and names 31 steps. This historical diagram should not be presented as a complete modern map of nervous system function.
Keep the question going
Explore the normal complete cycle with Ask B.J.
How does the Green Books discussion of the normal complete cycle help a new reader understand chiropractic philosophy? Explain simply, cite the relevant passages, and distinguish historical philosophy from current clinical evidence.
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