36 THE TONER LECTURES. 



torj chemical centre, the experiments which have here been 

 detailed, undoubtedly prove that the nerve centres influence 

 directly the chemical activities of the body. The increase of 

 reflex activities, which follows section of the medulla, is univer- 

 sally believed to be due to the separation of the cord from an 

 inhibitory motor centre, and why should it seem so strange that 

 there should be an inhibitory heat centre ? the evidence in the 

 two cases is completely parallel. 



Although I am now advancing beyond actual demonstration, 

 it is very possible that this inhibitory heat centre does not act 

 directly upon the tissues, but that through the whole length of 

 the cord there are cells whose function it is to preside imme- 

 diately over chemical activities, and that upon them the inhibi- 

 tory centre exercises a controlling influence. Without going 

 into any further discussion of this point, let me say that the 

 clinical facts of the so-called infantile palsy seem to point in 

 this direction. 



The nervous physiologist very often has called to his aid 

 pathology and the records of clinical medicine, and confirmation 

 of asserted physiological facts and conclusions from such 

 sources is always considered to be entitled to much weight. I 

 have never myself had a case of severe hemorrhage into the 

 pons, but others have, and the records are in accord with the 

 theory of an inhibitory chemical centre. I shall not cite indi- 

 vidual cases, but, as more authoritative, the general results put 

 forth by Dr. Bastian in his recent lectures on the differential 

 diagnosis of the clot in apoplexy. He says (London Lancet, 

 Oct. 31, 1874), after sevei-e hemorrhage into the pons, when the 

 life is prolonged for a few hours, the temperature of both sides 

 of the body steadily rises, till, at the time of death, it may 

 have attained to 109° or 110° F., a condition of profoundest 

 coma continuing throughout. Why should the fever of a clot 

 in the pons be more a result of irritation than is the palsy 

 which follows a clot in the corpus striatum ? 



