588 
in contact with soda, potass, and ammonia, it 
immediately gives soapy compounds. It forms 
compounds insoluble in water with other 
bases. M. Fremy has observed a remarkable 
transformation of oleo-phosphoric acid. When 
boiled fora long time in water or alcohol, it 
gradually loses its viscidity and becomes a fluid 
oil, which is pure elaine, while the liquor con- 
tains phosphoric acid. This decomposition be- 
comes very rapid, when the wel is rendered 
slightly acid. Although M. Fremy’s attempts 
to form this acid directly, by uniting elaine and 
phosphoric acid, were unsuccessful, he still 
deems it probable that this acid may consist of 
the elements in question and be analogous to 
the compound of sulphuric acid and elaine, or 
sulph-oleic acid. It contains from 1.9 to 2 per 
cent. of phosphorus in the condition of phos- 
NERVOUS SYSTEM. (Nervous Martrer.) 
ously done, that cholesterine may be ne 
from the brain in considerable quantity. ' 
obtains it by boiling the ethereal pid a 
alcohol rendered strongly alkaline by potass. 
A cerebrate, an oleate, and a es of pot- 
ass are thus obtained, with glycerme and cho- 
lesterine. On cooling, the alcohol deposits the 
cerebrate and phosphate of ste the cho- 
lesterine; and in treating the deposit by cold 
ether, we remove all the are cl 
may be purified by subsequent crystallizations. 
n yrepanstions of the brain, preserved - 
spirits, a substance of crystalline charaet 
which resembles cholesterine, is apt to 
round the piece. 
The quantity of phosphorus varies consi: 
rably in different periods of life, and is great! 
diminished in idiotcy. The following tab 
phorie acid. from some analyses of L’Heritié will ill 
M. Fremy also finds, as Couerbe had previ- this statement. 
Infants. Youth. Adults. ~ Old Men. Idiots. 
OS eee 7.00 10.20 9.40 8.65 8.40 
Cerebral fat .....ccoos 3.45 5.30 6.10 4.32 5.00 
PRODUCE. anda naskes 0.80 1.65 1.80 1.00 0.85 
Osmazome and salts .... 5.96 8.59 10.19 12.18 14.82 
snicnnine aes 82.79 74.26 72.51 73.85 70.93 
100.00 10000 100.00 100.00 100.00 
From these comparative analyses it appears 
that the minimum of phosphorus exists in in- 
fancy, in idiotcy, and in old age; and that the 
maximum of water is found in the infant. This 
latter fact is of practical interest, and affords 
some explanation of the greater tendency to 
liquid effusions in early childhood than in more 
advanced life. 
Nervous actions.—In order to offer a clear 
explanation of the working of the nervous sys- 
tem, it will not be amiss to quote a few ex- 
amples of actions effected through its instru- 
mentality. 
Let me, however, first remark, that as the 
mind is connected more especially with the 
nervous system, so that system becomes the 
channel of its mandates, as well as of impres- 
sions conveyed to it. But there can be no 
doubt that the nervous system can act inde- 
pendently of the mind, and that certain actions 
which need the intervention of nerves and ner- 
vous centres, are accomplished without the 
consciousness of the individual, and some- 
times in spite of his Will. 
It seems, therefore, a correct, as it is cer- 
tainly a convenient arrangement of nervous 
acts, to divide them into those in which the 
mind is concerned, either as an agent or asa 
recipient, ( mental nervous acts, ) and into those 
which result from mere modifications in the 
nervous matter, quite independent of mental 
interference (physical nervous acts ). 
Let me illustrate this division by examples. 
Any ordinary act of the will, the voluntary 
movement of the arm for instance, is effected 
by a mechanism to which the first impulse is 
given by a change in the mind; I will to move 
my arm ; this mental change affects the nerves 
of the arm, which excite certain muscles to act. 
That the nerves are the channels for conveyit 
this influence of the will is proved, beyond : 
doubt, by experiment and disease. If 
continuity with the brain be injured, the 
is necessarily lost, although the will itse 
tinue unimpaired. 4 
We feel through the instrumentality of © 
nerves. In writing, [ am conscious, throug 
the sensibility of my fingers, that I hold a pe 
in my hand. Were that sensibility destroy 
although the power of holding - 
mained, I should lose the consciousness 
presence between my fingers, and they 
cease to grasp it. This sensibility is due t 
communication of the nerves with the bi 
for any solution of continuity destroys it; 
can any part be said to be sensible or to po 
sensibility which does not communicate 
the brain through the nerves. And 
parts differ as regards the degree of ser 
which they enjoy, according to the 
nerves distributed to them, and pe 
according to the manner in which the née 
are connected with them. A touch on 
skin covering the olecranon is scarcely 
whilst the finest point impinging with 
slightest force on the skin of the tip of 
finger is instantly perceived. - 
Sensations difier in kind as well as in ¢ 
The power by which we are made sens 
contact, or by which, under the i 
undue stimulation, we become ous 
pain, is called common sensibility. Dout 
nearly all textures possess this to a cer 
degree. Tendon and cartilage enjoy a 
much less amount of it than skin m 
But we can also appreciate the influence 
light, of sound, of odor, of flavour, and ' 
are enabled to do this by means of particu 
>] 
