X vi I N TRODUC T ION. 



Physiology, within a few years, has under- 

 gone material changes. There is scarcely a de- 

 partment of this science that has not been the 

 subject of experiment or theory. The anatomy 

 and physiology of the Nervous system have been 

 particularly studied. Among the list of those 

 who have distinguished themselves in this walk of 

 science, we cannot forego mentioning the names 

 of GALL, MAGENDIE, LEGALLOIS, DEMOULINS, 

 FLOURENS, and BELL. Our own countryman 

 may probably be considered as the most valuable 

 contributor to our knowledge of the nervous 

 system. His discovery of the difference between 

 the nerves of motion and of sensibility belonging 

 to the spinal cord and medulla oblongata has 

 one property to recommend it, which places it 

 pre-eminently above the contributions of his 

 contemporaries: // has important relations to 

 practice. But although others may have been 

 less fortunate in their scientific investigations, 

 it is an incumbent duty to express admiration of 

 the zeal and talent, with which they have devoted 

 themselves to such pursuits; audit is equally a duty 

 to acknowledge the benefits they have conferred, 





