A NEW ASSOCIATIOK FIBER TRACT m THE 

 CEREBRUM. 



AViTii Remarks on the Fiber Tract Dissection Method of 

 Studying the Brain. 



E. J. CURRAN, 



Assistant in Anatomy, Medical School of Harvard University. 



With Three Plates. 



In April and May, 1908, while as an undergraduate pursuing tlie 

 elective course in advanced anatomy in the Hai'vard Medical School 

 under Professor Dwight, I was repeatedly and agreeably surprised 

 with the ease and accuracy with which many of the fiber tracts of the 

 brain, the nuclei, and the deep origins of some of the nerves could be 

 dissected by methods slightly modified from those employed in study- 

 ing other parts of the body. Through the kindness of Professor 

 Dwight and Dr. Warren, I was allowed to use a large number of 

 brains for dissection, in the course of which new and impressive 

 pictures of well-known structures were continually occurring. With 

 such novelty and distinctness did these stand out that one not familiar 

 with the original works of the early anatomists would almost be con- 

 vinced that a new method of attacking the difficult problems of brain 

 anatomy had been discovered. The attempt to follow fiber tracts by 

 dissection seems to be the most natural method for investigation of the 

 larger structures in the brain, and one that would be first thought of. 

 So it is not surprising to learn that before the advent of the micro- 

 scope, among the different methods of brain study attempted by our 

 predecessors, fiber-tract dissection had a place, and many of the 

 larger structures were displayed with considerable skill. With the 

 introduction of the microscope, however, this method became 

 neglected, and one cannot see in the text-books of to-day a single 



The .Tourxal of Comparative Neurology and Psychology. — Vol. XIX, No.- 6. 



