138 THE SPINAL CORD AND CEREBELLUM 



to the results which would otherwise follow. In deal- 

 ing with this subject it is, however, very necessary to 

 guard against drawing conclusions of too absolute a 

 nature. Although the nervous system undoubtedly 

 controls nutrition, yet absorption in the stomach can 

 still take place when all or nearly all the nerves of 

 that organ have been cut. If, then, this occurs when 

 the direct nervous supply of the part in question has 

 been interrupted, it is not surprising that the nutritive 

 processes in general should, under favourable con- 

 ditions, go on for a time in a more or less satisfactory 

 manner after the removal of the cerebellum ; for the 

 action of this organ, though very powerful under 

 appropriate stimulation, is nevertheless always indirect. 

 It does not influence the tissues directly, but only 

 through the rest of the nervous system. It is essentially 

 a reinforcing organ, and if it appears to be specially 

 connected with the muscular system, it is because all 

 movements require an energetic discharge of nervous 

 force, the variations of oxidation by which they are 

 produced being also of an intense nature. At the 

 same time, the cerebellar system must inevitably react 

 upon all parts of the nervous system with which it 

 is directly connected, and in this way on the tissues 

 corresponding to them. 

 Casesof After having pointed out that cerebellar lesions 

 develop- in man, especially if extending to the whole organ, 

 the°cere- are usually attended by disturbances of equilibrium, 

 e urn. j^errier proceeds to cite two interesting cases of defective 

 development of the cerebellum, the one being an 



