A good exposition of this whole problem was given by C. and 0. 

 Vogt (1919, pp. 281 ff.)- These ideas of Flechsig, of Henschen, and 

 of the Vogts mean, of course, neither more nor less than that the 

 ultimate aim of brain research should be the explanation of psychic 

 processes and their related phenomena in terms of natural science, 

 by means of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, physics, and so forth/ 

 While it might seem inadvisable to aim directly at a goal which at 

 present appears so distant, without doubt the only way toward it is 

 that common to every branch of natural science, involving in this case 

 the assistance aiforded by knowledge of the anatomy, the histology, 

 and the physiology of the brain, and above all of the cerebral cortex. 

 In spite of the difficulties, the only justifiable course seems to be to 

 resume the attack upon the problem Math more and more perfect 

 methods of investigation. 



In addition to the desirability of a rational, scientific explanation 

 of the highest nervous processes, there are other reasons of a more 

 immedate, practical nature why a thorough knowledge of the cerebral 

 fiber systems is desirable. One of these is the need for an under- 

 standing of certain physiological processes, such as the various forms 

 of somatic sensations, audition, and vision. Furthermore, knowl- 

 edge of the main fiber systems cannot fail to be of value to human 

 pathology. During this work, therefore, there has been a special effort 

 made to draw from the anatomical results valid conclusions concerning 

 the pathogenesis, symptomatology, and diagnosis of lesions involving 

 the three afferent paths investigated ; the reader will judge how far 

 this has been realized. 



The extensiveness of the subject precludes detailed discussion even 

 of the more important works of previous investigators. But all the 

 publications listed in the terminal bibliography have received careful 

 consideration, together with many others not cited. (For further 

 references one may consult Alexander-Marburg, Ariens Kappers 1920- 

 21, Bechterew, Bergmark, Brodmann 1909/1925, Brouwer-Zeeman 

 1926, Brown 1927, Ramon y Cajal, Economo-Koskinas, Foerster 1927, 

 Goldstein 1927, Head, Herrick 1926, Kliiver, Lashley 1929, Minkowski 

 1923-24, Monakow 1914, Overbosch, R. A. Pfeifer, Pieron, Schwab, 

 Stopford, and Vogt.) 



The investigations reported in this book were undertaken five 

 years ago with the help of the Behavior Research Fund in Chicago, 

 and were made possible by the grant of a fellowship from the Rocke- 



1 See also Herrick, 1929, 172 ff. 



[viii] 



