566 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



operation, even after numerous and thorough examinations, no definite objective 

 sensory disturbance could be detected. The tests were particularly devised to 

 estimate the power of localization and the power of recognition of objects felt. 



All this accords with the evidence upon which our whole localization 

 theory is based. This evidence tends to show: (1) that the differ- 

 ent forms of mental functioning are not absolutely dependent upon 

 definitely circumscribed and permanently fixed portions of tlie cere- 

 bral hemispheres; and (2) that by mental development a relative 

 independence of the particular areas originally connected with the 

 different forms of mental functioning may be attained. From the 

 physiological point of view the cerebral substance appears as plastic 

 and educable to a degree until recently unsuspected. And any dis- 

 location or interruption of the proper connections becomes more 

 dangerous than even a considerable loss of the brain-substance. From 

 another point of view the same conclusion was reached in a paper 

 entitled " A Suggestive Case of Nerve- Anastomosis," which I read 

 before the Psychological Association at its meeting in 1904. I take 

 this opportunity to call attention to the fact that Dr. Gushing by a 

 purposeful division of the facial nerve and its anastomosis with the 

 spino-facial, has more recently succeeded in restoring to the patient a 

 considerable degree of normal emotional control of the expressive 

 muscles of the face. I leave to expert physiologists to conjecture what 

 new adjustments in their related forms of functioning this required 

 from the cerebral hemispheres. 



Third, these cases of cerebral surgery without anesthesia would 

 seem further to confirm what has for some time been held to be true 

 — namely, that slow abnormal developments, even when they finally in- 

 volve much more serious destruction of the cerebral areas, and interrup- 

 tions of the normal connections, are tolerated much more easily than 

 sudden and rapid lesions or other abnormalities. Nor does it appear 

 wholly out of place to say that while this education of the cerebral 

 hemispheres to unwonted functions requires time, the emotions and 

 will of the conscious agent are factors of the greatest importance in 

 securing the results of this education. 



Finally, there is one thought which I bring forward, not as a 

 matter of argument, much less of proof; but, the rather, as a personal 

 impression amounting almost to a conviction. In stating this im- 

 pression I will take the liberty to employ the language of an "old- 

 fashioned " but by no means altogether discredited psychology. Here 

 is an intelligent human soul ; he remains perfectly conscious, free from 

 pain, and taking a lively interest in a surgical operation which ex- 

 plores, incises, pulls about, and otherwise manipulates, and finally 

 drags two large abnormal growths out from, what is known to be the 

 most important part, for the life of conscious sensation and voluntary 

 motion, of his own brain. From the anatomical and physiological 



