THE WEIGHT OF THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD. IOI 



TABLE 16. GIVING THE WEIGHT OF THE BASAL GANGLIA 

 IN THE Two SEXES AT DIFFERENT AGES. WEIGHT IN 

 GRAMMES. (Franceschi.} 



The most comprehensive investigations on the weight 

 of the spinal cord are those which have been recently 

 published by Dr. Mies. 1 The human cord without its 

 nerve roots was found in thirteen grown persons to 

 weigh between 24 and 33-3 grammes, the intermediate 

 group of four individuals showing a cord weight of 

 from 25 to 27 grammes. This corresponds well with 

 the figures given by E. Bischoff and others. So far as 

 the data go, which is not far, to be sure, there is no 

 distinct variation in the weight of the cord due to sex. 

 The cord at the same time does not appear to be so 

 closely correlated with body-weight as with stature, and 

 it will be readily seen that an increase in the length of 

 the spinal canal would naturally be accompanied by an 

 increase in the length of the cord, and this in turn by an 

 increase in its weight. 



The general results which have been obtained from 

 the examination of these figures gathered by Dr. Boyd 

 are sufficiently well supported by other series of observa- 

 tions to justify their acceptance without further evidence 

 in their behalf. It will be noticed that this discussion 



1 Mies, Neurolo%. Centralblatt, 1893. 



