206 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



nerve, as well as the other important nerves of-the body, 



will be discussed elsewhere. 



Functions of the Nervous 

 System. The cerebral hemi- 

 spheres are the centers of the 

 nervous system, through which 

 are manifested all the phenom- 

 ena of the mind; they are the 

 centers in which impressions are 

 registered and subsequently re- 

 produced as ideas; they are the 

 seat of intelligence, reason, and 

 will. 



However important a center 

 the cerebrum may be for the ex- 

 hibition of this highest form of 

 nervous action, it is not directly 

 essential for the continuance of 

 life, for it exerts no control 

 over those automatic reflex acts, 

 known as respiration, circulation, 

 etc., which regulate the func- 

 tions of organic life. 



The brain is not a sensitive 

 organ, and may be lacerated, or 

 portions may even be cut away 

 without giving rise to much 

 pain; such injuries, however, will 

 immediately affect the mental 

 faculties. The cerebellum, on the 

 other hand, is in close relation 

 with the functions of animal life, 

 and any interference with it will 

 immediately affect the various 

 functions of life, such as the respiration, the digestion, and 



FIG. 109. General view 

 of the cerebrospinal nervous 

 system (after Bourgery ; 

 Schwalbe). 



