Literary Notices. vii 



On the Mammalian Nervous System, its Functions, and their 



Localization Determined by an Electrical Method, i 



The memoir bearing the above title is the most important contribu- 

 tion to that department of experimental neurology established by Fritsch 

 and Hitzig which has appeared for some years. An outline of the work 

 was published in the Proc. Roy. Soc, Vol. 45, 1889, but it is here given 

 in great elaboration with full illustration. After some pages devoted to 

 introductory and historical matter, a detailed description of methods, 

 anresthesia, apparatus, and precautions, the following topics are discussed : 



The resting electrical difference in the Mammalian nerve and spinal 

 cord. 



The electrical effects evoked in the spinal cord and mixed nerve by 

 excitation of the cortex cerebri. 



The electrical effects evoked in the spinal cord and mixed nerve by 

 excitation of the corona radiata. Bilaterality of representation as evidenced 

 by the electrical changes in the spinal cord and mixed nerve. 



The electrical effects evoked in the spinal cord by localized excitation 

 of its different parts. 



The electrical effects evoked in spinal cord by excitation of the 

 lumbar nerves. 



The electrical effects evoked in the lumbar nerves by excitation of the 

 cord. 



The functional activity of the nerve centres in the spinal cord and 

 their relations to nerve fibres. 



The electrical effect evoked in the spinal cord and mixed nerve by 

 absinthe and strychnia. 



The point from which the investigation proceeded is indicated in the 

 following clause in the introduction : "It was reasonable to presume, 

 if the cortex were discharging a series of nerve impulses at a certain rate 

 down the pyramidal tract, that there would be a series of parallel changes 

 in the electrical condition of the fibres in the cord tiact, and that with a 

 suitable apparatus for responding to such changes these might be both 

 ascertained and recorded." 



The only instrument available for the task is Lippmann's electrometer. 



In employing ether, the anaesthetic was pushed until profound 

 narcosis ensued with the purpose of avoiding the depressing effect of 



1. Crooiiian Lecture, Phil. Tians. ISiil, By Franci- Gotcii ami Victor Housi.fv 



