TWO FUNDAMENTAL "LAWS" OF NERVE- 

 ACTION IN RELATION TO THE MODERN 

 NERVE-CELL. 



IT would be difficult to point to any recent series of 

 investigations more widely known than those on the 

 minute anatomy of the nervous system, or to name any 

 one investigator whose publications have had a more wide- 

 spread effect upon current literature than those of Ramon 

 y Cajal. 



Histologists, physiologists and neurologists have con- 

 curred to testify to the importance of these investigations, 

 and to the light thrown by them upon the anatomy, 

 physiology and pathology of the central nervous system. 



There can be no doubt in the mind of any one who 

 has had the opportunity of examining Cajal's preparations, 

 that the silver method has enabled us to see further along 

 the ramifying processes of nerve-cells, and that our know- 

 ledge de visa of their minute anatomy is thereby extended. 

 And in so far as an extension of the anatomical basis is 

 of necessity an added support to our physiological and 

 pathological conceptions, physiologists and pathologists may 

 fitly recognise their indebtedness to the silver method, and 

 to Professor Cajal in particular, who has prosecuted it with 

 conspicuous zeal and success. 



It is possible, however, that we may be led astray in 

 our appreciations, and by becoming satisfied with the 

 vague statement that a great light has been cast upon the 

 physiology of the nervous system, omit to recognise the 

 actualities and possibilities shown up by that great light. 



For the last four or five years I have found it necessary, 

 in lecturing on the physiology of the nervous system, to 

 allude to the results of the silver method. Until two years 

 ago I was forced to limit myself to the descriptive histology 

 of the bushes and baskets and collaterals, without venturing 

 to append to such description any physiological remarks 

 whatever as to their possible functional significance qua 



