Results of hemisection of the spinal cord in monkeys / by Frederick W. Mott ; communicated by Professor Schäfer.

  • Mott, F. W. (Frederick Walker), 1853-1926.
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Results of hemisection of the spinal cord in monkeys / by Frederick W. Mott ; communicated by Professor Schäfer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Examination was difficult on account of patientis stated It is to be assumed, tlierefore, that the sensory path from the middle and upper cervical nerves only crosses at the highest part of the cord above the level of the injury. The injury to the cord in this case involved both antero-lateral columns and adjacent portions of grey matter. It affords, therefore, no evidence as to the path of common sensation, whether in the white or grey substance, which is still in dispute. The temperature on the side of the lesion was 1° F. higher than the opposite side. Dr. Gowers seemed to think that this case supported in a measure Schiff’s views, but he has since changed his opinion, judging from the remarks in his book on the spinal cord. The ultimate solution of the question rests upon an accurate unbiassed record of cases of disease and injury in Man, and, with the improved methods of microscopical research at our disposal, we shall, guided by physiological experiment, eventually come to a correct understanding of the path of conduction and the functions of the spinal cord. [Note, January 20, 1892.—A paper “On Hemisection of the Spinal Cord,” by Wm. Aldren Turner, M.B. Edin., M.R.C.P., has lately appeared in ‘ Brain ’ (Winter Number, 1891).] Explanation of Plates* 1-4. PLATE 1. (Photographs 1-11.) The Lesions. 1. —Case I. The lesion between the 3rd and 4th dorsal nerves. This is not a perfect hemisection ; all the lateral column has been destroyed, but a portion of the posterior column and that portion of the anterior column which lies internal to the anterior horn contain both undegenerated and degenerated fibres. Other sections showed more degeneration in the anterior column. 2. — Case II. The lesion at the last dorsal segment. The animal only lived 24 days, therefore the sclerosis is not marked ; the line of incision, however, shows that the lesion was complete with the exception of the anterior and posterior median columns. 3. —Case VII. The lesion at the 3rd dorsal. The animal lived 115 days. The photograph is not through the lesion, but just above it, showing degenera- tion in the antero-lateral, the postero-external, and direct cerebellar tracts, The photographs have all been made from the original untouched negatives.