Literary Notices. cxxi 



It is unquestionable that these fibres pass through the gelatinosa without 

 coming into closer relation with it. The real origin is the grey substance 

 of the dorsal cornu. In birds and fishes the dorsal fasciculus seems to" 

 contribute a large contingent to the root. [This we think is a mistake so 

 far, at least, as fishes are concerned. Ed.] What the relation of the 

 gelatinosa is was not determined. 



The bundle of the median Hue. In this group of fibres authors have 

 distinguished (i) thos^ from the motor and p-rhaps also the sensory nid- 

 uli of the opposite side ; (2) fibres of the peduncles connecting with the 

 cerebrum ; (3) cells from the locus ccieruleus either with or without de- 

 cussation in the raphe. The greater part of the motor root arises in the 

 motor nidulus of the same side, the remainder cross through the raphe 

 to the other side. 



The crossed descending bundle has no connection with the locus coeru- 

 leus cells. It is sensory and has small fibres. Other fibres of the crossed 

 bundle seem to pass to the cerebrum. 



The descending bundle is shown to be of motor nature. 



The author denies the existence of a cerebellar tract. [The present 

 writer agrees with the author that Edinger's statement that the greater 

 part of the trigeminus bundle in fishes arises in the cerebellum, is incor- 

 correct.] The constituents of the sensory root: (i) the ascending bun- 

 dle, arising in caput and cervix cornu dorsalis ; (2) fibres from the sen- 

 sory nidulus of the same, and (3) those of the opposite side. 



The constituents of the motor root : (i) fibres from motor nidulus 

 of the same, and (2) of the opposite side ; (3) the descending tract. 



Elf.ctrical An.i-;sthesi,\.i 



The author formulates the opinion that all forms of localized pain, 

 not dependent upon structural changes of nerves or nerve centres, or de- 

 structive metabolism of other tissues, may be relieved promptly and 

 effectively, and often cured, by an induced electrical current, whose in- 

 terruptions are sufficiently ■ frequent and whose strength is small. He 

 found that blows of a small hammer weighing ten grains, repeated as 

 often as 400 times per second, did not produce the desired effect. 



[Experiments made long since by the writer show that a much less 

 number of vibrations, if so imparted as to involve the whole number, /. 6'. 



1 . Hutchinson. W. F. Electrical Aniestliesia by means of the singing rheotoiue. 

 New England Medical Monthly, XII, 2. 



