Meyer, Data of Modeini Newology. 301 



in them, could not help furnishing certain rules of localizations 

 which are clearly established. The difference of opinion refers 

 more to the interpretations than to the facts established. The 

 interpretation is indeed the point requiring most caution and 

 this becomes at once obvious when we realize that the function 

 as we know it is the outcome of activity of a whole mechanism 

 and that the defect of function is not to be identified with the 

 function of the diseased element by itself but as part of the 

 functional mechanism. If you cut one leg of a tripod, it will fall 

 and still you will not claim that the tripod stands en this hg only, 

 although its loss implies inability to stand. 



We have already stated that clinical neuropathology has 

 only two series of observations to build on ; the subjective — 

 the observations and feelings of the patient, and the objective 

 which is altogether depending on the segmental efferent neu- 

 rones for its expression. The following sketch of general diag- 

 nosis on ground of our working-hypothesis is not essentially 

 ' different from the ordinary plan ; it has its origin only in the 

 desire to use methods which will promote the principle of re- 

 search, at the same time doing justice to all the facts. For this 

 purpose we take with us a fundajnental idea the segmental plan 

 of the body and the existence of supra-segmcntal mechanisms. 



We usually start with the study of the subjective series of 

 data by ascertaining the general mental condition and reliability 

 the general sensation, the function of the special senses and 

 the common sensibility, because these are necessary data and 

 because during their systematic examination many points con- 

 cerning the second series, the motor phenomena, will attract our 

 attention. We proceed as is commonly outlined in the text- 

 books, searching miethodically for areas with any of the known 

 qualities of sensory disorders. The results must be so arranged 

 that we readily connect them with a localization of the possible 

 lesion, using the distribution and qualities of a disorder for a 

 guide. 



We begin with the sensory examination of the olfactory 

 segment, and proceed to the optic segment, which illustrates 

 best the general method. We need a knowledge of the gen- 



