342 



Dr. Waller on the Nervous System. 



[May 19, 



" (i^r e-i\a/ L ij3nyofiei'(i)y kriore e£w0ei', dvev irviyfiov Kara-i-rovon' ol 

 iudpu)-oi, fier dvaiodqcrias rd fiXecpapa cu^pe-p Azores." 



Dr. Waller has frequently observed the same symptoms, viz. the sudden 

 collapse and temporary insensibility ; but in general the effects are confined 

 to a state of depression more or less strong, which may be moderated by gra- 

 duating the degree of irritation applied. He believes that this fact may be 

 taken advantage of and applied as a means of inducing asthenia or debility 

 for the purpose of facilitating certain operations in surgery, such as the 

 reducing cf fractures or even hernia, in lieu of the administration of other 

 anaesthetics, such as chloroform or tobacco, which present a certain degree 

 of danger not attending the compression of the vagus. In confirmation 

 of this idea, he cites a case of reduction of the shoulder-joint in this 

 manner : — 



C.j a journeyman baker of powerful athletic frame, dislocated the head 

 of the humerus beneath the clavicle by a fall down stairs. While the man 

 was lying on the bed some unavailing attempts were made to reduce the 

 luxation by Dr. Waller himself, Dr. Prevost, and Dr. Julliard. Dr. Jul- 

 liard, whose patient he was, sent for some chloroform to facilitate tbe 

 operation by inducing anaesthesia. In the meantime Dr. Waller proposed 

 to make another attempt with the assistance of the compression of the 

 vagus. After removing the pillows at the head and arranging the patient 

 more comfortably, Dr. Waller stood at the head of tbe bed to apply com- 

 pression on both sides, while Dr. Julliard and Dr. Prevost performed ex- 

 tension and counter extension. At the end of about two or three minutes, 

 j ust when the carotids had ceased to be felt beating beneath the fingers, a 

 sudden click indicated the return of the bone into its cavity. 



The Lecturer concluded with the following words : — " In terminating 

 his lecture, I cannot refrain from urging on your attention that, if much 

 has been already accomplished by means of this method, there still remains 

 a vast field of inquiry unexplored before us. The nervous system, central 

 and peripheral, is an immense and intricate series of nerve-tubes and of 

 ganglion-cells, and by the method I have laid before you we have already 

 recognized in these elements a great degree of mutual dependence. Within 

 these limits are contained the organic substratum of all that is most noble 

 in our being, of all that elevates the animal above the plant, and that gives 

 man preeminence over the animal. No one can doubt the importance 

 of a thorough knowledge of this system for the efficient treatment of tbe 

 diseases that affect it. And it may be reasonably hoped that the full 

 development of the method here especially referred to, combined with other 

 modes of investigation, will materially contribute to gain for us a greater 

 insight into the nature of this so highly endowed part of our organism. 



" Much that is at present required is a combined and methodical applica- 

 tion of the powers and knowledge which we possess ; something, in fact, 

 resembling that which has been done by mapping out the surface of our 

 satellite in separate small compartments, each of which is assigned to a 



