AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 



THE following lectures were delivered during the winter of 

 1883-4, before an audience composed of practicing physicians. 

 It was the endeavor of the author to lay before his hearers (who 

 were already familiar with the coarser anatomy of the brain) all 

 that had been discovered in regard to its finer structure. It was 

 important, too, to present this, so far as possible, as a harmo- 

 nious whole. Much that was in controversy could barely be 

 mentioned, while here and there only one view of a disputed 

 question was given, that view which appeared most likely to 

 be correct, either from the author's own investigations or from 

 the writings of trustworthy authors. This would be absurd if 

 this work pretended to be anything more than an introduction 

 into the study of the structure of the central nervous system. 

 He, however, who wishes to inform himself still more accurately 

 in this direction will find all that he desires in the magnificent 

 volume of Wernicke, and particularly in the superb works of 

 Meynert and Flechsig. Besides these, we possess in Schwalbe's 

 Quain-Hoffmann's hand-book a very clear and comprehensive 

 exposition of the anatomy of the brain. The student may also 

 consult with great benefit the work of Henle, which is based 

 mainly on his own views and investigations. After searching 

 these authors, he will find still further sources of knowledge in 

 the works of B. Stilling, Kolliker, Gudden, Clarke, and others. 



The author has in his own work (the results of which can- 

 not at present be published in extemo) followed principally the 

 method of investigation introduced by Flechsig, and has thereby 

 come to entertain some views which differ from those commonly 

 accepted. He has ventured, however, to introduce the results 

 of his own investigations into this little monograph only so far 



(iii) 



