4-8 Analyses of a Series of Papers, by Mr. C. Bell. 



master; but dividing the respiratory nerve of one side, the ex- 

 pression, which consisted in that peculiar turn of the lip, could 

 only be observed on the other. Another conclusion to be 

 drawn from the experiments above detailed, is that the portio 

 dura, besides being a nerve of respiration, is also a grand nerve 

 of expression, not only in man, but in brutes also ; which is 

 confirmed by the circumstance of the disappearance of that 

 excitement seen in a dog's head, his eyes, and ears, when 

 fighting, on the division of this nerve. 



There is moreover a peculiar distinction observable between 

 these two sets of nerves of the face in regard to their origins, 

 the fifth pair receiving roots, &c. from the medullary process 

 of the cerebrum and of the cerebellum. A ganglion is formed 

 upon it near its origin, though some of its filaments pass on 

 without entering into the ganglion. The respiratoiy nerve, 

 on the other hand, arises from the superior and lateral part of 

 the medulla oblongata, close to the nodus cerebri, and exactly 

 where the cms cerebelli joins the medidla oblongata : and, what 

 is worthy of notice, the other respiratory nerves, which form 

 so distinguished a part of the nervous system, arise in a line 

 with the roots of this. 



The striking difference presented by these two sets of nerves 

 in regard to sensibility would imply the necessity of ranking 

 them under two distinct heads, if not the idea of their per- 

 forming dissimilar functions ; for the cutting of the fifth nerve 

 gave pain in a degree corresponding with our notions of the 

 sensibility of nerves ; but in cutting the portio dura, it was 

 not evident that the animal suffered pain at all. 



" Having brought this investigation to a conclusion, some 

 perhaps, fatigued by its details, may ask to what does this dis- 

 cussion lead? 



" Were we to inquire no further, and to rest content with 

 the inference, that the two sets of nerves distributed to the 

 face have distinct functions ; even this must prove useful both 

 to the surgeon and physician. To the surgeon it must be 

 useful in performing operations on the face, as well as in ob- 

 serving the symptoms of disease : but especially to the physi- 

 cian must these facts be important; he will be better able to 

 distinguish between that paralysis which proceeds from the 

 brain, and that partial affection of the muscles of the face, 

 when, from a less alarming cause, they have lost the controul- 

 ing influence of the respiratory nerve. 



" Cases of this partial paralysis must be familiar to every 

 medical observer. It is very frequent for young people to 

 have what is vulgarly called a blight ; by which is meant, a 



slight 



