From the Unconscious to the Conscious 



* There are two things to consider in memory 

 from the objective point of view : 



* I. The fact that we have not really forgotten 



anything which it is possible for us to recall. 



* 2. The operation in which this recollection 



consists. 



' The former is a histological 1 peculiarity, the 

 latter is the correlative of a physiological fact. 



' If we execute any operation, mental or other, 

 a certain number of times, the path traversed by the 

 corresponding reflex will be beaten into a thorough- 

 fare by that reflex in accordance with the law of 

 functional assimilation. In our nervous system, 

 therefore, there will be a certain number of histo- 

 logical modifications correlative to the operation in 

 question. As long as these histological modifications 

 persist, the histological memory of the operation 

 will persist; it will suffice to repeat it from time 

 to time to maintain this histological memory by 

 functional assimilation. If a long time passes 

 without repetition, the plastic destruction which 

 accompanies the repose of an organ will destroy 

 this particular path in the nervous system; there 

 will be forgetfulness. 



' When the forgetfulness is complete and absolute 

 it is irremediable. The histological memory having 

 vanished, no psychological memory can remain. 

 This seems obvious, and seems to be, in fact, the 

 sequence and the condition of the ordinary memory.' 



Now cryptomnesia is entirely different; it retains 

 not only important facts but unimportant ones, even 

 those which have not claimed the conscious attention of 

 the person. 



Further, the registration of states of consciousness 



Histological, Gr. Isr6s= tissue, pertaining to the tissue (of the 

 brain). 



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