THE LAW OF INITIAL VALUE

This chapter discusses the history of the law of initial value (LIV), the theory of vagotonia (eppingerandhess), general considerations regarding LIV, Weber–Fechner's law and the LIV, paradoxic and absent reaction, the theories of the law of initial value, and the Pavlovian theory. The LIV refers exclusively to the response of the organism to one and the same dose of one and the same stimulus. A different stimulus and different doses may have different effects qualitatively and quantitatively. The LIV deals with one principle of self-maintenance as observed in living organisms. The LIV deals with responses. A response is a change from the pre-experimental condition. The law does not deal with the condition of the organism following the change. It refers to the process or rather progress of change itself. The LIV includes the claim that initial value (IV) is a very important factor in determining the outcome of an organismic reaction. It does not claim that the IV is the only determining factor. Other factors enter into play too, some known, some remaining unknown.