THE CORTICAL THERMIC CENTER. 789 



This observation has been confirmed by Hitzig, Bechterew, Wood, and 

 others. The elevation of temperature bears no relation to muscular 

 disturbances that may be present in the affected extremities. It is in 

 almost all cases marked for a considerable time after the injury, although 

 attended with considerable fluctuations. It has been observed to per- 

 sist for as long as three months, while in other cases gradual return to 

 normal sets in on the second or third day. In marked cases there is 

 a reduction in the resistance of the wall of the femoral artery to pressure 

 and a lowering of the pulse-tracings. 



Localized electrical irritation of the areas causes slight transitory 

 reduction in the temperature of the contralateral extremities. In dogs 

 the same result may be brought about even by percutaneous irritation. 

 The center can be irritated also by application of sodium chlorid, al- 

 though under such circumstances the phenomenon of destruction soon 

 follows. Irritation of the cortical center causes also in curarized animals 

 marked elevation of blood-pressure in consequence of vascular contrac- 

 tion. The demonstration of a thermic center for the half of the head has 

 not as yet been made. In cerebral-epileptic attacks the bodily tempera- 

 ture rises, in part in consequence of increased production of heat by the 

 muscles, in part in consequence of lessened heat-dissipation through the 

 vessels of the skin as the result of irritation of the cortical thermic centers. 



According to Wood /destruction of this central area in the dog causes at the 

 same time an increase in heat-production demonstrable calorimetrically, while 

 irritation causes lessened heat-production. In dogs in which the internal 

 capsule was divided by means of a small knife (which was made to close sud- 

 denly in the depth of the wound by traction on a cord) , Landois observed likewise 

 elevation of temperature, and he concluded, therefore, that the fibers controlling 

 thermic influences traverse the internal capsule. Furthermore, injury of the 

 cerebral peduncle is followed by obvious elevation of temperature. In rabbits 

 destruction of the anterior portion of the cortex has no obvious influence, although 

 that of the posterior portion has. 



The experiments described explain the fact that psychic stimu- 

 lation of the cerebrum may have an influence upon the size of the 

 vessels and upon the temperature, as indicated by momentary pallor and 

 blushing, v. Bechterew and Mislawski locate a vasodilator center in the 

 external and middle portions of the anterior segment of the cruciate 

 gyms and in portions of the parietal region. 



In opposition to the outlined doctrine of localization in the cerebrum the 

 views of Goltz must be discussed in an unprejudiced manner. Goltz has de- 

 scribed in detail the phenomena that appear in dogs subjected to extensive de- 

 struction of the cerebral cortex. He distinguishes on the one hand inhibitory 

 phenomena, which are transitory and are referable to temporary suppression of 

 the functions of nervous structures that are not injured anatomically. These 

 are to be explained in the same way as the inhibition of the reflexes by strong 

 irritation of sensory nerves. Opposed to these are the permanent phenomena of 

 deficiency, which are due to the loss of function of the nerve -structures destroyed 

 by the operative procedure. Such a dog with extensive loss of cortex may be 

 looked upon as an eating, complex reflex machine. It behaves like a profoundly 

 demented animal, walks slowly in an awkward manner, with head depressed, and 

 exhibits impairment of cutaneous sensibility in all of its qualities. It is less 

 sensitive to pressure upon the skin, pays less attention to variations in tempera- 

 ture and does not know how to touch objects. It is scarcely able to adjust itself 

 with relation to the outer world or to its own body. This is noted especially in 

 looking for and taking up its food. On the other hand there is no paralysis of 

 its muscles. It is true the dog still sees, but without conscious appreciation of 

 what is seen. It sees like a somnambulist, who avoids obstructions, without 

 being perfectly conscious of their character. It is true, the animal hears, for it 



