EXCITO-MOTORY NERVOUS SYSTEM. 
615 
these suppositions has been nearly or quite demonstrated. The 
yellow colour of the mucous membranes was invariably the first 
thing observed, and it usually preceded the other indications, 
two days at least. 
Journal des Vet. du Midi , Avril 1840. 
THE EXCITO-MOTORY NERVOUS SYSTEM OF 
DR. MARSHALL HALL. 
To contemplate what was the state of our knowledge of the 
Physiology of the Nervous System but a few years ago, and what 
we presume it to be at the present day, is, indeed, a proud boast 
and source of exultation to the medical philosopher. It is almost 
enough to fire his mind with hopes that, one day or other, the 
connexion between flesh and spirit shall be divested of some of 
that mystery in which it has ever appeared involved to the earthly 
mind of man. The new and brilliant lights cast upon the myste- 
rious functions of the brain and nerves owe their production to 
physiologists partly continental and partly — to our credit and 
praise be it said — of our own country. This is, at least, one of 
the glorious consequences of peace. Now men, the most eminent 
of all nations, find themselves engaged in one noble undertaking, 
in the advancement of science, which, by their united labours — 
vis nnita fortior — cannot but be more or less completely effected 
to their reciprocal honour and advantage, and that of the nations 
of which they are the proud ornaments. The names of Legallois, 
Flourens, Majendie, Miiller — of Bostock, Bell, Mayo, Hall, and 
others, stand, in connexion with our present subject, in bold alto 
relievo , engraven upon the tablets of fame and posterity. 
The brain has long been acknowledged to be the fountain of 
sense and source of volition — the seat of mind — the habitation of 
the immortal soul ; and the nerves have been regarded as the 
conductors to and from this fons et origo, and every other part of 
the body. 
Flourens has satisfactorily demonstrated that these properties 
reside exclusively in the cerebrum; that that organ once de- 
stroyed, or so compressed as to annihilate its functions, the ani- 
mal is deprived of all sense and power of motion. In connexion 
with which, and indeed in seeming contradiction of it, we have 
from the same eminent physiologist, and from Majendie, the as- 
tounding fact, that this source of sensation and volition is itself 
incapable either of feeling or producing motion. The substance 
of the cerebrum may be pricked, burnt, torn, or lacerated to any 
