The intra-cranial circulation and its relation to the physiology of the brain / by James Cappie.

Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The intra-cranial circulation and its relation to the physiology of the brain / by James Cappie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    the individual, it secures the delicate structure of the brain against physical injuries. It is more than likely, however, that, as I shall afterwards attempt to show, the properties of the skull exert a positive influence on the physiological action of the brain itself. Then, what indeed appears not a little surprising, is the circum- stance that the peculiarities of the encephalic circulation —so numerous and so striking—now receive less atten- tion than they did in the early years of the century. It is with some hope of reviving interest in these peculiarities, and to point out certain modes in which they can exert an influence on the brain's activity, that 1 now venture to submit the following essays. The action of a muscle may be determined with great precision by a study of its leverage relation to the bones, and of the restraint of its investing fascia, although no knowledge be possessed of the physical and chemical changes involved in the contraction of its fibres. In like manner, the brain may be studied in its relation to certain broad physical conditions, and the influence of these on its working may be recognised, although the immediate source of nerve energy may remain a com- plete mystery. And it will simply be in accordance with such an assumption that I shall pursue my subse- quent argument. I shall attempt to trace a relation between the brain's mode of working and certain peculiarities in its surroundings or conditions. I shall have no recondite researches to submit, but shall