On the varieties of deafness, and diseases of the ear, with proposed methods of relieving them / By William Wright.

  • Wright, William, 1773-1860.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the varieties of deafness, and diseases of the ear, with proposed methods of relieving them / By William Wright. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    acutely sensitive fibres, float in a liquid, which is either in itself extremely sensible to the least motion, or is a most excellent conductor of vibration to the soft portion of the nerve. On the Continent, an anatomist has recently ex- pressed a doubt, whether this liquid exists during life, or is only a product occasioned by the change incident to a departure of the vital functions ; but there is abundant reason to be- lieve in its existence during life, for without it great part of the phenomena of the communica- tion of sound to the sensorium would be unac- counted for. M. Itard also supposes that the Membrana Tympani does not vibrate, because he could not see a hog’s bristle move, which he had placed on it during the continuance of a very loud noise. I[t is acknowledged by the majority of Physiologists, that vibration is the cause of most, if not of all, our perceptions; yet the vibration which causes those sensations cannot be distinguished by the power of vision, however assisted by art, or naturally acute; and M. Itard’s reason for his scepticism on this point, certainly does not convey the idea that he is a very profound Physiologist.