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consciousnes.'s, and can not be weighed, measured, seen 

 or heard. In fact, tlie operations of the laws of chem- 

 ical affinity or of gravitation can not reach this height 

 of complex power. A subtle influence pervades our 

 bodies. It follows the nerve tracts from i)reference, but 

 is everywhere present in the physical domain, exercising 

 its power. It prevents the comi)lete localization of 

 each mental phenomena because of its ulnrpiity, yet 

 may control the entire system from one central nerve 

 capitol. It is not probable that the idea of the old 

 philosopher in locating the soul in the pineal gland, or 

 the doctrine of Bichat, in putting our feelings, affections, 

 and desires in the sympathetic system of the bowels, is 

 any more than the vagaries of visionary theorists, but 

 it is evident that the organs at the base of the brain 

 are the most wonderfid of all bi'ain locations, and that 

 nerve influences emanate from the optic thalamus, the 

 pons varoli, the medulla oblongata and the corpus stri- 

 atum, that can be found nowhere else in the domain of 

 nerve power. As you are aware, large portions of the 

 cerebrum and the cereljellum may be taken away from 

 the living body without immediate danger of death, but 

 the organs in the base of the brain, from which spring 

 the numerous nerves so essential to life, can not be 

 touched in vivisection or by disease with impunity. 

 From this central region nerve influence radiates to 

 every part of the body, making its connections with 

 the depositories of nerve power in the spinal cord, and 

 "^vith the ganglia of the sympathetic system. 



The proofs upon which are founded the arguments 

 in favor of different localizations are far from convinc- 

 ing, even were eminent pathologists unanimous in their 

 conclusions. The results of disease in the physical 

 manifestations of what Fritsch and Ilitzig call the 

 " psycho-motor centers " present so many exceptions to 



