1901-2.] Functional Inertia, a Property of Protoplasm. 199 
sluggish temperament, the insusceptibility that exists through a 
whole series of increments of stimulus well known in the Weber- 
Fechner law — all these are examples of anabolic inertia. The 
recurrence of the positive and negative after-images is an example 
of retino-cerebral functional inertia; the positive (katabolic) and 
the negative (anabolic) with their respective conscious correlates; 
the analogy being the oscillations of the jelly. Rhythm of discharge 
elicited by a single stimulus is due to functional inertia of proto- 
plasm, e.g ., in Wundt’s tetanus, Ritter’s tetanus, strychnine tetanus ; 
also rythmic discharges from spinal cord cells when the rate of 
stimulation is higher than the rate of discharge. Anabolic inertia 
is the property underlying insusceptibility to drugs. 
In the more particularly psychic sphere, the same double-phased 
inertias are seen. Katabolic psychic inertia or mental momentum 
is seen in the hypnotic state, where the suggestion is rigidly followed 
out, and in the ‘dogged’ temperament; whereas there is very little 
of it in the child-mind or in a volatile nature. Anabolic psychic 
inertia is the principle underlying bigotry, dislike to change, 
obstinacy of the uncultured and ‘ fixed delusion ’ of the lunatic ; 
and in the race, the lingering of superstitions, and the power of 
inheritance (persistence of mental type). 
( Issued separately June 9. 1902.) 
