CONTENTS. IX 



A DISSERTATION ON THE FUNCTIONS OF THE 

 NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



PAGE 



Introduction ..... . 363 



CHAPTER I. 

 The Principal Opinions of Authors, regarding the Uses and 



Functions of the Nervous System, concisely stated. 



Sect. I. — The Opinions of Aristotle . . . . 365 



II.— The Opinions of Galen . . . . .366 



III.— The Followers of Galen . . . . .369 



IV. — The Animal Spirits are dislodged from the Ventricles . . 370 



V. — Another office attributed to the Ventricles of the Brain, by Galen, is 



also shown to be erroneous . . . .372 



VI. — It is proposed, with other special Functions of the Nervous System, 

 that the Cortical Portion of the Brain be substituted for the 

 Ventricles, as the part where the Animal Spirits are secreted, and 

 that the Medullary Matter has the Function of collecting and 

 distributing them to the Nerves .... 374 

 VII. — Those who have denied the existence of Animal Spirits . . 378 



VIII. — The Functions of the Nwvous System are explained by the Vis 



Nervosa . . . . . .380 



CHAPTER II. 

 The Nervous System in general. 

 I.— What Parts it includes . . . . .381 



II. — How the Nervous System is constituted in other Animals, and how 



far it extends through the whole Animal Kingdom . . 384 



III. — What is understood by the Vis Nervosa, and what are its general 



Properties ...... 389 



CHAPTER III. 

 The Functions of the Nerves. 

 Sect. I. — On the Action of the Nerves in producing Sensation and Motion . 406 

 II. — The Action of the Nerves on the Vessels and Fluids . . 408 



