BROWN-SEQTTARD ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. 273 



we know that this loss is not attributable to the division of the 

 anterior columns and of the portions of the lateral columns, it 

 seems again that it must be due to the division of the grey matter. 

 Lastly, if the anterior, lateral and posterior columns are divided 

 transversely, at a little distance from each other, sensibility persists 

 behind the sections, the grey matter being the only channel which 

 remains for its propagation towards the encephalon. As, in this ex- 

 periment, it is impossible not to divide some of the grey matter, sen- 

 sibility is found diminished, but not destroyed. If one can feel 

 thoroughly satisfied as to these facts, there can be no doubt respect- 

 ing the inference, that sensitive impressions pass, principally, along 

 the grey matter in the spinal cord. Dr. Brown-Sequard, however, 

 does not negative the notion of Calmeil and Nonat, that the an- 

 terior columns have a share in this function, for he has found, that 

 when the entire spinal cord has been cut across, leaving only the 

 anterior columns, sensibility, which is at first lost, after a time re- 

 appears, and many hours afterwards evidently exists everywhere, 

 though in a slight degree only ; he therefore concludes that these 

 columns have a share, but only a slight one, in the transmission of 

 sensitive impressions to the sensorium. 



It is not our intention here to enter into any analysis of the 

 many and interesting, pathological cases adduced by Dr. Brown- Se- 

 quard in his fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth lectures, in support of the 

 views which experimental enquiry has led him to adopt. There is 

 one, however, which bears so pointedly upon the question of the 

 conducting power of the grey matter for sensitive impressions that 

 we cannot forbear giving it at full length : — 



Case 22. A man, aged 44, after having had cramps, formication and weak- 

 ness in the lower limbs, and paralysis of the upper limbs, for a long period, was 

 admitted at La Charlie. Sensibility existed everywhere. On the evening of No- 

 vember 1st he was able to walk, but aided by some one. ' Sensibility continued 

 everywhere to the last moment before his death on the 3rd of November at 3 a.m. 



Autopsy. Encephalon normal. There was induration of the spinal cord from 

 its upper extremity to the third dorsal vertebra, and from the sixth dorsal to the 

 lower extremity. The tissue of the cord in these parts being cut, was shining, 

 looking like porcelain, hard and difficult to be crushed. The grey matter was also 

 a little harder than normally, but of its usual colour. The anterior and posterior 

 roots seemed normal. In the space between the third and sixth dorsal vertebras, the 

 cord was softened, pultaceous, resembling a whitish, or rather, slightly rose, pulp, 

 punctuated in some places. When placed in water many parts became disintegrated 

 and formed a kind of emulsion. This alteration existed only in the white sub- 

 stance. The grey, on the contraiy, seemed to have preserved its normal consistence. 

 The microscope showed that the grey matter in both the softened and indurated 

 parts contained normal cells and fibres, and normal blood-vessels, while the white sub- 

 stance in the softened region, contained but rare fibres, which were altered, contain- 

 ing an oily matter and granulations. There was also a quantity of granulated 

 corpuscles of inflammation, with many capillaries, oily drops and amorphous matter; 

 in the indurated white substance, there was less alteration and the fibres were more 

 normal and numerous. (Laboulbene in the Memoires cle la Societe de Biologie, 

 1855.) The author of the report of this case adds that he has ascertained that 

 sensibility to pinching, pricking, touching, tickling, feeling of heat and cold, and 



