Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... SECTION XII CHAPTER LVIII BRAIN SYSTEM The fact that the actions of many living organisms are controlled through the nervous system has long been known to mankind. This knowledge had been so long coupled with a superstition, however, that when investigators began scientifically to delve into the study of the nervous system, the pendulum inevitably swung in the opposite direction and every phase of its function was placed upon a material base which was as impotent to explain it as the original superstitious views. Long ago the idea was prevalent that the nerves were minute vessels, in the lumen of which was contained a substance known as animal spirits. These traveled from one part of the body to another and in some mysterious manner controlled the functions of the various organisms. These animal spirits were thought to have their seat in the ventricles of the brain and to leave this home for the journey to other parts when the necessity required. Upon the invention of the microscope a large field of investigation was opened in many phases and it was instrumental in leading to the further consideration of every portion of the human body, including the nervous system. In this latter field it disclosed the fact that the nerves were not hollow tubes but were made up of cells arranged in a definite order from the very center of the structure to the surrounding membrane. It disclosed the fact that each nerve was composed of funiculi and each funicilus of fibers. Further, it was found that the nerve branched and rebranched, giving off these fibers as units to the cells. Science set herself at the task of explaining the function of the nervous system from the known scientific laws. Its instruments were taken in hand and each minute part of the...
