SECTION IV., 1900. [ 121 ] Trans. R. S$. C. 
V.—The Cerebral Neurons in relation lo Memory and Electricity. 
By Sir JAMES GRANT, K.C.M.G., F.R.S.C. 
(Read May 30, 1900.) 
Professor Heger, of Brussels, (British Medical Journal, May 27th, 
1899), gives an account of experiments made on animals to determine 
the conditions of the brain cells, during various conditions of rest and 
stimulation, and concludes that “an important property of the cerebral 
nerve cell is its variability in reaction as regards its cell body, its pro- 
cesses, and its epedindritic granules. Changes in all three portions 
may co-exist or occur separately under different conditions, the further 
significance of which is important, and demands investigation.” The 
nervous system reduced to its initial stage, may be represented by two 
elements, a nerve cell, and a conducting tube, and it is the association 
of these two elements, which constitutes nerve centres and nerves. 
Punch tritely remarked, “ What is matter never mind, what is mind, 
that’s the matter.” Although no relation of identity or analogy sub- 
sists between mind and matter, a close relationship may be shown to 
exist between mind and force, or between mind force and nerve force. 
Undoubtedly mental activity may be excited by nerve force, and such 
is found to be the case in every act in which the mind is excited through 
the instrumentality of sensorium. The will can develop nerve force, 
and as a nerve force, can develop mental activity. There is in fact, a 
correlation between these two forces, fully as intimate as that which 
exists between nerve force and electricity. Maudsley is of opinion, 
there is memory in every nerve-cell, and indeed in every organic element 
of the body. The organic registration of the results of impressions 
upon our nervous centres, by which memory is established, is after all 
the very basis of mental life, and the cells and nervous tubes, associated 
in many ways, constitute the nervous system in its entirety. As life 
progresses tissue formation changes materially, and we gradually ob- 
serve, the outward as well as the inward manifestations of declining 
functional activity. Such is observed in the loss of hair, and the bald 
scalp. In the decay of teeth and consequent defective power of masti- 
cation, so also in the defective auditory process, as well as in gradually 
impatred vision and memory. Such evidences are undoubted in their 
character, and positive proof, should such be wanting, of an abnormal 
decline in systemic power, co-incident with advancing years. While 
these systematic evidences of change are in progress, it is reasonable to 
