XXiVv JouxNnaL oF ComPARATIVE NEUROLOGY. 
others lhe only explanation which I can offer is that there may be 
in a considera -ercentage of the cases a temporary diminution in 
its acuity or a complete abolition of taste as has been intimated above, 
and that this may have been interpreted under certain circumstances 
as an evidence of permanent loss of this sense.” 
The conclusions are: 1. That the perception of taste is unaf- 
fected on the posterior portion of the tongue and never permanently or 
completely lost on its anterior two-thirds after removal of the Gasserian 
ganglion. 
2. ‘That the temporary abolition or lessening of the acuity of 
taste may be found to exist over the anterior and anaesthetic portion of 
the tongue for some days after the operation. 
3. That this temporary loss of function may possibly be occa- 
sioned by some interference with chorda transmission brought about 
by a mechanical or toxic disturbance due to degeneration of the N. 
lingualis. 
4. Thata lesion of the trigeminal nerve may be associated with 
disturbance of taste over the chorda territory without the necessary in- 
ference that the nerve is a path for gustatory impulses. 
5. That the N. trigeminus in all probability does not convey 
taste fibers to the brain either from the anterior or posterior portion of 
the tongue. . 
This last conclusion, it will be noted, has been reached almost 
uniformly of late by researchers in three independent lines of work, 
the morphologists, the embryologists and the comparative anatomists, 
and it is a source of satisfaction to see the confusing clinical evidence 
at last brought into harmony with these in so unambiguous a manner. 
Cee 
De Fursac’s Psychiatry.’ 
Almost every language has had its little compend based on the re- 
markable changes in psychiatric views, produced by rather a daring 
but decidedly inspiring reform started by KRAEPELIN. This little book 
adopts the classification of KRAEPELIN, which is partly etiological, but 
largely a grouping of the mental diseases according to their outcome. 
The little book has in some respects an intrinsic value, owing to the 
attempts at harmonizing current French views with those of the Heidel- 
berg school. The book is dedicated to Professor Jorrroy, and is in a 
way a semi-official acknowledgement of KRAEPELIN’S attitude. 
A. M. 
1 Manuel de Psychiatrie, by Dr. RoGues De Fursac. farts, F. Alcan, 
1403. 
