On the mammalian nervous system : its functions, and their localisation determined by an electrical method / by Francis Gotch and Victor Horsley.

  • Gotch, Francis, 1853-1913.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the mammalian nervous system : its functions, and their localisation determined by an electrical method / by Francis Gotch and Victor Horsley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    the loss of function tlie probable patlis of transmission of afferent or efferent impulses, yet such a mode of experimentation is always open to very grave disadvantages and sources of fallacy. Sucli, for example, is the always recurring possibility of functional changes proceeding beyond the desired lesion, &c. The accomplishment of this further purpose, viz., the localisation of both paths and centres by ascertaining the excitatory electrical effects in relation with them, was one of the main objects we had in view. In carrying it out we found it was unnecessary to employ the electrometer, and, in fact, that it was advantageous to use the galvanometer, the record of which could be more easily and more accurately noted, since its graduation admits of far higher magnification. Moreover, witli tliis instrument it was possible, by employing a series of stimuli, of known number and duration, to obtain quantitative results of definite comparative value, as will be shown further on; and thus to compare the electrical effects evoked (1) in diffei^ent central paths by direct stimulation of these, and (2) in any one path by excitation of different regions. The plan upon which the present paper is framed is, first, to give a historical retrospect of the work of authors who have opened up tlie study of electrical changes in the central and peripheral nervous system ; second, to describe at length our mode of experimentation, with special reference to the modifications which we have introduced, then to compare roughly the results we have obtained by our present method with those which had been previously ascertained by the graphic method, and so introduce the description of the facts which we have discovered, elucidating the physiology of the spinal cord both in its relation to the higher centres and to the peripheral nerves. In describing the detailed results of our experiments we have found that it is difficult, from the extent of ground covered by the subject, to adopt a convenient arrangement of facts, and mode of describing the same, which are free from the fault of repetition. We finally determined to gather the results together into definite groups, each associated with the excitation and investigation of particular regions, and refer in the briefest manner to any important principles which were not directly elucidated by, but only involved in, the particular experiments under consideration. Finally, we give at length a summary of the general conclusions which we consider we are justified in drawing from our experimental results.* * We here wish to express oui- great indebtedness to Professor Burdon Sanderson for placing at our disposal the instruments and equipment of the Physiological Laboratory of the University of Oxford. We are also under especial obligations to Mr. G. F. BuRCH, whose constructive skill provided us with the requisite electrometers, and who very kindly gave his assistance in preparing our photographic records. Finally Dr. Howard Tooth has very obligingly carried out the laborious task of the microscopical investigation of the spinal cords in those cases where we performed the section of columns antecedently to the special experiments of the present research. The expenses of the present investigation have been defrayed by grants from the Scientific Grants Committee of the Royal Society, and from the Scientific Grants Committee of the British Medical Association.