66 Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [July, 



out to me, cither to quarrel or to act a dishonest and sneaking part, 

 1 never hesitate in any case, whatever the ultimate consequence 

 mav be to my literary reputation or my worldly interest, to embrace 

 the first alternative, 'and spurn the second. This is not the first 

 time that I have stepped forward from similar motives; and I might 

 have occupied a very different situation from the one I fill at 

 present if I had adopted the time-serving policy of some of my 

 acquaintances. 



Article IX. 



Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. 



ROYAL SOCIETY. 



On Thursday, the 26th of May, a paper, by Sir Everard Home, 

 Bart, was read, On the Effect of different Injuries in the Brain 

 upon Sensation. The attempts to determine the functions of the 

 different parts of the brain not having been attended with success, 

 Sir Everard conceives that it would promote the advancement of 

 physiology if medical men were to collect together, and arrange the 

 effects produced by different diseases or injuries of the brain. The 

 present paper contains the result of his own practice. It is divided 

 into ten sections. 1. On the effect of water accumulated in the 

 ventricles. Water accumulated in the ventricles, even to the 

 amount of 6i ale pints, does not destroy the faculties, provided the 

 bones of the cranium be not united, and the head enlarge according 

 to the accumulation. A curious ease was related of a young man 

 whose head had increased enormously, and who retained his facul- 

 ties entire, except some inconveniences from the size and weight of 

 the head. He was in his nineteenth year, and the head was 33 

 inches in circumference. When the bones of the cranium, being 

 united, prevent the bead from enlarging, the accumulation of 

 water in the ventricles destroys the faculties, and produces idiotism 

 and death. 2. On the effects of concussion. It occasions nausea 

 and vomiting, giddiness, and apoplectic fits, which return at 

 intervals for some time. 3. On the enlargement of the blood- 

 vessels of the brain. It occasions violent headaches, watchfulness, 

 and disorders of the bowels. The beating of the arteries of the 

 brain has been supposed essential to the exertion of the senses; but 

 John Hunter retained bis senses after the heart had apparently 

 ceased to beat. 4. On the extravasation of blood. It produces 

 similar effects as the accumulation of water ; coma, nausea, 

 apoplexy. 5. On the effects of the formation of pus. It occasions 

 melancholy, lowncss of spirits, and mania, with incessant talking. 

 &, On the effects of external pressure. The depression of the 

 scull occasions loss of memory, the incapacity of using the proper 



