328 MR. BELL ON THE NERVES OF THE FACE. 



interruption to sensation, but the sign that it bestows sensibility; making certain 

 what could be only assumed from the experiments on the spinal nerves. 



But he was acquainted also with my opinions drawn from the distribution 

 of the nerves in the body contrasted with the anatomy of their roots. And 

 when the correctness of these opinions was established by experiment, he let no 

 opportunity pass of advocating and supporting them. In collecting informa- 

 tion and making dissections he was ever active, as all the real students educated 

 with him will testify. It was in the fervour of his zeal that he went to Paris 

 and explained the arrangement by which I distinguished the nerves, and re- 

 peated my experiments with M. Magendie and others at Charenton near Paris 

 in 1821. 



At this time an idea was thrown out that the fifth nerve was no more than 

 the sensitive nerve of the face accidentally separated from the muscular nerve 

 (the portio dura). Perceiving that if this notion prevailed we should be thrown 

 back into our former state of confusion, and to put the matter beyond all 

 question, Mr. Shaw performed those experiments which are contained in this 

 paper, — experiments which in the gentleness of his nature he would have hesi- 

 tated to make from their severity, but for their being imperatively called for. 



Had Mr. Shaw lived, this subject would have been further advanced. Whilst 

 his excellent judgement and indefatigable exertions aided me in every diffi- 

 culty, his gratification in witnessing the progress of these inquiries was a re- 

 ward beyond what I have now to look for. 



Explanation of Plate VIII. 



In this figure the superficial nerves of the face are turned off, and the dis- 

 tribution of the third division of the fifth to the muscles of the jaws and cheek 

 exposed. 



A. The portio dura of the seventh or respiratory nerve of the face coming 

 out from the stylomastoid foramen ; the principal branches are cut and folded 

 foi^wards. 



B. The trunk of the portio dura of the seventh, dissected off the face and 

 pinned out, while it is left at its connections with the branches of the fifth on 

 the cheek and lips. 



