PREFACE. 



major part of the present work was communicated to the Royal Society of London 

 J- by Professor Sherrington of Liverpool University in November, 1903, the remainder a 

 few months later. It was prepared fur publication in the Philosophical Transactions, but the 

 manuscript, when laid before the Council, was adjudged of inordinate length and the alternative 

 proposal to issue it in book form, with the aid of a special grant, was made and accepted. 

 For such generous treatment I am unable adequately to express my sense of gratitude. 



The research cover* a wide field and the preparation of material has absorbed .so much 

 time and labour, that single-handed it could not have been accomplished; I have to acknow- 

 ledge occasional help from my medical colleagues, but in particular I have appreciated the 

 patient industry of my laboratory assistants. 



Many of the microscopic drawings which illustrate the text were made, with infinite 

 care, by Dr A, C. Wilson, and the drawings for Plate 3 a were prepared by Mr F. J. Abram, 

 who also kindly undertook most of the photographic work incidental to the research. The 

 beautiful clearness with which their drawings are reproduced will be as much a source of 

 pleasure to these gentlemen as it is a tribute to the painstaking methods and enterprise 

 of the publishers. 



Means for the research have been supplied by the Lancashire Asylums Board, and it- 

 has been wholly conducted in their laboratory at Rainhill Asylum. 



For special material I am indebted to my friends Dr F. \V. Mott and Dr Nathan Raw, 



% ^ 

 and to Professor Sherrington I am more thari graceful not only for the presentation of 



several valuable specimens, but for counsel when in doubt, for encouragement when energy 

 flagged and for many other kind offices. 



A. W. C. 



C. 



