OF THE NERVUS OCTAYUS. 5 



On the other hand, the anatomists who have studied after EWALD 

 the central distribution of the octavus-h'bres and who in the course 

 of their labours, met with quite new views about the architecture 

 of the medulla oblongata, have either quite neglected the results 

 of the physiology of this nerve or else have taken these only into 

 partial consideration. 



In my opinion, a monography trying to establish a relation 

 between the results of physiology (results that I dare say are settled 

 permanently as regards cardinal points since EWALD) and those of 

 anatomy , may vindicate a right to exist. 



The task, enjoined on a complete monography about this subject, 

 would be not only to treat different animals, representative of all 

 the great families of the vertebrates, it should be written also for 

 closely connected species of one family. This task however would 

 exceed the power of one man. 



Thus much I have learnt during my researches, that the course 

 of the octav us-fibres and their distrubution towards different centra 

 in the medulla oblongata , pons and mesencephalon is differing for 

 rabbit, pigeon, dog, cat, mouse, horse and man, and that the 

 function-trouble , consequent on section of the octavus in rabbit , 

 pigeon , dog and cat is different too. 



Not in the cardinal points, but in so many of the details, that 

 the cardinal points are sometimes masked by them. 



I will therefore take as basis for the description of the course 

 of the primary and secundary octavus-tracts, and equally for the 

 description of the function-troubles after their lesion, the nerve- 

 system of the rabbit. 



Only in as much as I think it necessary for the elucidation of a 

 few important facts, I will also memorate' details about this system 

 in pigeons. 



I have chosen the rabbit, because the oblongata of this species 

 is best known. By far the greater number of investigators have 

 studied the oblongata in this animal. For it is not the least im- 

 portant part of my purpose to consider the series of new facts, 

 brought to our knowledge by the methods of CAJAL and MARCHI 

 in their relation to the Octavus-question and to rely them to the 

 physiologically proved disturbances in motion, consequent to the 

 lesion of this nerve. 



The long tracts, descending from mesencephalon, metencephalon 

 and myelencephalon towards the medulla, ought to be examined 

 as to their connection with the N. octavus. The results, obtained 

 by MARCHI , THOMAS , VAN GEHUOHTEN , PROBST , JAMES COLLIER , 



