Secreting Power of AHimals. 4B 



the communication between the brain and the limb, without 

 destroying sensation in the latter, the inference is unavoidable, 

 that it is lost in consequence of that communication being cut 

 off. Our inference in the other instance is precisely of the same 

 kind. We see the power of secreting organs under the influence 

 of the brain and spinal marrow, and when we find it impossible 

 to intercept the communication of these organs with the brain 

 and spinal marrow without destroying their powers, a similar 

 inference is unavoidable ; and would have been so respecting the 

 heart, were its power destroyed by every means of intercepting 

 the communication between it and the brain and spinal marrow. 



Independently of this mode of reasoning, which, as far as I 

 am capable of judging, must be regarded as conclusive, there 

 are other proofs of the power of secreting organs depending on 

 the nervous system, which in my last paper I recapitulated in 

 the latter part of the following short paragraph, and to which 

 Dr. Alison makes no attempt to reply. 



" The question before us is, when the function of a secreting 

 surface is deranged by dividing its nerves, is this to be ascribed 

 to its being deprived of its nervous influence, or to its being 

 injured by the act of dividing its nerves ? We know that it arises 

 from the former, because when it is deprived of its nervous in- 

 fluence by any other means, the effect is the same ; because the 

 efiect is not at all proportioned to the degree of injury done to 

 the nerves, but to the degree in which the nervous influence is 

 withdrawn ; and because as soon as the nervous influence is 

 restored, the part is again capable of its functions." 



With respect to monstrous cases again referred to by Dr. 

 Alison, he admits the force of what I said respecting cases in 

 which the functions of the brain continue after its appearance is 

 so changed that, were it not for the situation in which we find 

 it, we could not recognise it ; but if we see an organ so changed 

 by disease still capable of its functions, it need not surprise us, 

 that nature should sometimes give to it originally such a con- 

 formation, that we look in vain for any trace of the usual ap- 

 pearances. 



If, as I formerly said, these cases prove any thing, they prove 



