46 Analyses of a Series of Papers, by Mr. C. Bell, 



texture. And it is worthy of consideration, that every one of 

 its branches is joined by divisions of the fifth, as if it was not 

 alone sufficient to supply any individual part with nervous 

 power. 



A question therefore very naturally arises, Whether these 

 nerves do not perform different offices ? and, from the assist- 

 ance afforded by the knowledge of the human structure and 

 of comparative anatomy, the author is prepared to decide the 

 matter by experiment. The ass and the dog were the two 

 animals chiefly selected for this purpose. The division of the 

 portio dura of one side during excited or extraordinai'y re- 

 spiration, is instantly followed by a loss of motion of the nostril 

 of the same side, whilst that of the other continues synchro- 

 nous, or in unison, with the risings and fallings of the chest. 

 The animal gives no sign of pain, nor struggles when this nerve 

 is cut across. The power of manducation continues without 

 the slightest impediment. The side of the face in which the di- 

 vision has been made, remains at rest and placid during the 

 highest excitement of the other parts of the respiratory or- 

 gans. Even in the last dying efforts of the respiratory mus- 

 cles for the drawing in of breath, when the muscles of the 

 mouth, nostrils, and eye-lids, are in a violent state of spasm, 

 this remains unmoved. A man had the trunk of the respira- 

 tory nerve of the face injured by a suppuration, which took 

 place anterior to the ear, and through which it passed in its 

 course to the face. It was observed, that in smiling and 

 laughing, his mouth was drawn in a remarkable manner to 

 the opposite side. The attempt to whistle was attended with 

 a ludicrous distortion of the lips ; when he took snuff and 

 sneezed, the side where the suppuration had affected the 

 nerve remained placid, while the opposite side exhibited the 

 usual distortion. On cutting the respiratory nerve on one side 

 of the face of a monkey, the very peculiar activity of his fea- 

 tures on that side ceased altogether. The timid motions of 

 his eye-lids and eye-brows were lost, and he could not wink 

 on that side ; and his lips were drawn to the other side, like a 

 paralytic drunkard, whenever he showed his teeth in rage. 



Mr. Bell cut a tumour from before the ear of a coachman; 

 a branch of the nerve which goes to the angle of the mouth 

 was divided. Some time after he returned to thank Mr. B. 

 for ridding him of a formidable disease, but complained that 

 he could not whistle to his horses. 



It would appear from hence, that the association of the 

 muscles of the face with the act of breathing is effected through 

 the operation of this nerve. 



Exposing and touching the superior maxillary branch of 



the 



