504 On the Nervous Systems of 
The conclusions, which this writer draws front 
the case just related, are diametrically opposite 
to those of Prof. Monro and Dr. Heysham. 
They are, moreover, so curious as to deserve 
being noticed here. He says, “ In comparing 
the defective structure of this child with the 
ascertained uses in others of those parts, of 
which it was deprived, I have been led to con- 
clude that nervous influence is not at all necessary 
to the growth of the fetus in wlero”—And again, 
« Assuming then that the nerves serve merely to 
convey the influence of the brain and medulla 
spinalis, it is obvious, that when deprived of 
these sources, they can impart none. Thus it is 
evident, that, although chis fetus had attained the 
full size and its motions were not perceptibly different 
from another, yet, having no sensorium, it could 
possess no sensation.””™ . 
* This writer also endeavours to prove, that the perfect 
fetus in its uterine state does not possess sensation, by stat 
ing that sensibility is not only unnecessary during the 
fetal state, but would expose the fetus to hazards, and 
by intimating, that sensation is coeval with respiration 
I have ina former work satisfactorily shewn, that the 
fetus in utero most assuredly does possess both the powe 
ers of sensation and voluntary motion, 
I shall, therefore, confine myself here to the following 
observations. d 
1. The proportional bulk of the nervous system is 
as gteat and its organization as complete in the fetus, as 
in the new-born infant, 
