On the Agency of Nerves. 281 



Next, in the case of the foetus found in the abdomen of a boy, 

 described by Mr. Young in the same work, " one of the most 

 singular circumstances was the total absence of brain, of spinal 

 marrow, and of the nerves of sense and voluntary motion ; al- 

 though a distinct plexus of nerves was seen just within the um- 

 bilicus, about the commencement of the intestines, to which nu- 

 merous branches were distributed*." Yet it appears, from the 

 very circumstantial statements there given, that in this foetus, 

 bone, cartilage, ligament, muscle, fat, membrane, *synovia, and 

 meconium, had been formed from the blood. 



If any one should say, that in these instances, a nervous in- 

 fluence was generated in the nerves, which answered the purpose 

 of that which used to be generated in the brain and spinal 

 marrow, it will be observed first, that Dr. Philip, at least, must 

 deny all force to this argument, because he has expressly stated, 

 ** We may as well, I conceive, suppose a bone, as a nerve, 

 capable of preparing this influence f/^ His supposition, there- 

 fore, is, that galvanism is supplied from some source, hitherto 

 unknown, which supplies the place of the nervous influence. 

 To this I would answer, that our object just now is not to ascer- 

 tain how the formation of these different products out of the 

 blood is accomplished, but merely whether it can be accom- 

 plished without the help of an influence coming from the brain 

 and spinal marrow ; and, if this point be made out, I am sure 

 that the evidence hitherto adduced for galvanism being at all 

 concerned in the matter, must be allowed to be exceedingly 

 defective. 



But, secondly, there is one instance on record of a foetus, in 

 which the most material parts of the animal organization were 

 found, and in which " there was neither brain, spinal marrow, 

 nor nerves." This case was carefully examined, and is minutely 

 described by the late Dr. Clarke in the Philosophical Transactions 

 for 1793, (p. 154) ; and I beg leave particularly to refer to the 

 observations he has there made upon it. At present I need 



• Mcdico-Chirttrgicnl Tramndiomy vil. v. p. 258. 

 t Pajje 202. ' 



Vol. X. U 



