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1. The patterns of facilitation and inhibition of the S_a and S_b components of the post-ganglionic compound action potential after a single conditioning stimulus were different and dependent on stimulus parameters.

2. With submaximal conditioning and test stimuli, the S_a component showed a phase of early facilitation (40-75 msec after the conditioning stimulus) followed by a prolonged tail of facilitation. With maximal stimuli, early facilitation and late facilitation (700-2000 msec after the conditioning stimulus) were separated by a phase of inhibition or relative inhibition, most pronounced 100-300 msec after the conditioning stimulus.

3. During early facilitation, a submaximal S_a response was facilitated by 33·1 ± 3·9%, while a maximal S_a response was facilitated by 14·5 ± 2·9%.

4. Providing preganglionic C fibres were excited, facilitation of the S_b component remained relatively constant for 40-500 msec after the conditioning stimulus, with no phase of inhibition.

5. Early facilitation of submaximal S_a responses was greatest when the conditioning stimulus excited about 50% of the preganglionic B fibres, but that of maximal responses was greatest when the conditioning stimulus excited all the B fibres. The preganglionic C fibres modulated facilitation of the S_a component. Maximal facilitation of this component was associated with depression of the S_b component.

6. Submaximal S_a responses are more strongly inhibited than maximal S_a responses 200 msec after a conditioning stimulus. The C fibre pathway seems able to modulate the degree of inhibition of the S_a ganglion cells.

7. A neuronal model with divergent and convergent preganglionic B and C fibres supplying S_a ganglion cells is consistent with the results. The preganglionic input is able to vary the size of the subliminal fringe. The S_b component is in part due to the S_a ganglion cells firing to their C fibre input.