“These ganglia (corpora quadrigemina) were subjected to experimentation in the following seven cases, viz., V., VI., VIII., IX., X., XII., XIII., with the results:—
“V. In this case the exploration was not sufficiently definite, as the exact position of the electrodes was not observed, and death occurred before a more careful exploration could be made. The application of the electrodes to the ganglia on the left side, caused the animal to utter various barking, howling, or screaming sounds of an incongruous character. The head was drawn back and to the right, and the right angle of the mouth was strongly retracted while the stimulation was kept up. The tail was raised and the limbs were thrown into contortions, but nothing further was ascertained as the animal died from hæmorrhage.”—Ibid., p. 429.
“Experiments on the lower animals, even on apes, often lead to conclusions seriously at variance with well-established facts of clinical and pathological observation.… The decisive settlement of such points must depend mainly on careful clinical and pathological research.… Experiments have led to different views in different hands.”—Ferrier (Functions of the Brain, Preface).
“Physiological experiments conducted in these regions are most indefinite. The usual plan of investigation, viz., that of applying stimuli to the brain substance, leads either to negative results, or, if electrical stimulation is used, to results which, owing to the unavoidable dispersal of the currents in numerous directions, are not sufficiently localised to form the basis for trustworthy conclusions. In place of exact observations after section and stimulation of different regions, we have here the far less refined method of observation after lesions—lesions induced in the most delicate and complicated organ of the body by means so absurdly rough that, as Ludwig has forcibly put it, they may be compared to injuries to a watch by means of a pistol-shot. The results obtained in this way are attributable to the most diverse causes; for, apart from the fact that it is impossible to localise the lesion itself, the results may be due to irritation of centres, paralysis of centres, stimulation of conducting apparatus, or paralysis of conducting apparatus, without our being able to say which. Hence the interpretation of even those phenomena which are constant in their occurrence is always uncertain. The third and best method of investigation which is possible is the observation of cases of disease in which the exact nature of the lesions is accurately ascertained after death.”—Hermann’s Human Physiology, translated by Professor Gamgee, London, 1878. (Chapter on the Functions of the Encephalon), p. 444.
Fick, Adolf. B. at Cassel, 1829. M.D., 1852, Extraordinary Prof., 1856, and later, Prof. of Physiology in ordinary Univ. Zurich; Prof. Physiol. at Wurzburg, 1868.
Author of “Die medicinische Physik,” Brunswick, 1857; “Compendium der Physiologie des Menschen mit Einschluss der Entwickelungageschichte,” Vienna, 1860; “Anatomie und Physiologie der Sinne,” Lahr, 1862; and numerous papers on physiology which have appeared under the title of “Arbeiten aus dem Physiologischen Laboratorium der Würzburger Hochschule,” Wurzburg, 1874.
Made experiments on the influence of mechanical stimulation of the cerebro-spinal organs described in “Arch. of Anat. Physiol., 1867,” p. 198.
Filehne, Wilhelm, M.D. Prof. Extraordinary Univ. of Erlangen.
Author of “Die Wirkungen des Amylnitrites,” Mueller’s Archives, 1879, Physiol. Abtheil; “Ueber Apnoë und die Wirkung eines energischen Kohlensäurestromes auf die Schleimhäute des Respirationsapparats und ueber den Einfluss beider auf verschiedene Krampfformen,” Reichert u. du Bois Reymond, Archiv für Anat. u. s. w. Jahrg. 1873, p. 361.
Made experiments in the Physiological Institute at Erlangen.