British Association. 391 



thanks of the Section were voted to Dr. Richardson for Ins valuable 

 report. 



Criteria of Species. — Mr. Carpenter read an elaborate commu- 

 nication on this subject, founded on the views of Dr. Prichard. 

 This called forth a discussion, in which Mr. Vigors, Mr. Carpenter, 

 the President, and Dr. Prichard took part. 



Section E. — mbdical science. 



President, Dr. Roget. — Vice PresidentSj Dr. Bright, Dr. 

 Macartney. — Secretaries, Dr. Symonds, G. D. Fripp, Esq. — 

 Committee^ Dr. O'Beirne, Dr. Bernard, Dr. James Bernard, S. D. 

 Broughton, Esq., R. Carmichael, Esq., Dr. Carson, Bracey Clarke, 

 Esq., E. Cock, Esq., J. W. Cusack, Esq., H. Daniel, Esq., J. B. 

 Estlin, Esq., Dr. Evanson, W. Hetling, Esq., Dr. Hodgkin, Dr. 

 Houston, Dr. Howell, Dr. James Johnson, R. Keate, Esq., O. 

 King, Esq., Dr. Prichard, O. Rees, Esq., Dr. Riley, Richard Smith, 

 Esq., J. C. Swayne, Esq., N. Vye, Esq., Dr. Yellowley. 



3Ionday, 22nd August. — " A Report of the Dublin Committee 

 on the Pathology of the Nervous System, by Dr. O'Beirne," was 

 first read. 



" The Committee feel compelled, on the present occasion, to con- 

 fine themselves to an analysis of the cases of nervous affections which 

 have come under their observation, during the short period which 

 has elapsed since they have considered themselves to be regularly 

 appointed. They are of opinion that, in order to arrive at accurate 

 pathological conclusions on a subject so extensive and complicated, 

 and upon which the most eminent authorities are found to disagree, 

 a very great number of cases should be first submitted to their 

 examination ; then the symptoms of each case carefully registered, 

 and subsequently, accurate post mortem examinations made in the 

 presence of the committee, to ascertain the structural lesion or lesions 

 with which the symptoms co-existed. As far as their investigations 

 have as yet extended, they see that the subject, if considered in all 

 its details, will require a considerable length of time before they can 

 accumulate such a number of cases and matured observations, as 

 would justify them in drawing general conclusions. Further, they 

 have to state, that they have collected some valuable facts, relating 

 to injuries and diseases of the nerves, which seem to throw. light 

 upon disputed points of the physiology and pathology of this portion 

 of the nervous system. They are of opinion, however, that more 

 extended observations on this branch of the subject are required to be 

 mjide. They would also submit the necessity of repeating those 

 experiments on animals, upon which so many authorities rely as a 

 foundation for their doctrines. 



*' The Committee, influenced by the above considerations, have 

 decided on avoiding, for the present, any attempt at drawing general 

 conclusions. They consider it more judicious to collect and arrange 

 for a future report, should they be re-appointed, the abundant 

 materials which their opportunities enable them to supply. 



" In furtherance of this object, they have been for some time 



