399 
Mr. Bell’s experiments on the structure , &c. 
accustomed, in teaching these doctrines ; and they were 
pleased to say, that in this way, a new subject would be 
more readily comprehended. 
Intricacy of the nervous system. 
Anatomists have of late, not only in this country, but also 
in Germany and Italy, made great improvement in the minute 
dissection and display of the nerves ; but whilst the doctrines 
hitherto received prevail, the discovery of new branches of 
nerves, and new ganglia, only involve the subject in deeper 
obscurity. Whilst the nerves are supposed to proceed from 
one great centre, to have the same structure and functions, 
and to be all sensible, and all of them to convey what has 
been vaguely called nervous power, these discoveries of new 
nerves and ganglia are worse than useless ; they increase 
the intricacy, and repel enquiry. The endless confusion of 
the subject induces the physician, instead of taking the ner- 
vous system as the secure ground of his practice, to dismiss 
it from his course of study, as a subject presenting too great 
irregularity for legitimate investigation or reliance. 
When the physiologist sees two distinct nerves spreading 
their branches to every part of the face, (as in PI. XXX.) three 
nerves from different sources given to the tongue, four to the 
throat, and nerves in most perplexing intricacy to the neck ; 
when he finds one nerve with numerous ganglia or knots upon 
it, and another without them ; when, in short, after a minute 
dissection of the nervous system, he finds a mesh, or network, 
spreading everywhere, it is not surprising that the seeming 
intricacy and confusion should make him, in despair, resign 
enquiry. But the Author of this paper being forced, in the 
