New-York daily tribune., 1844-07-08
Neurology, &C.

knowing you 10 De q warm ADVOCATE Vi every
hing relating 10 human improvement, | have
venturcd to call your attention, very briefly to
the Neurological discoveries of Dr. Bucn.NAH,
Which are destined, if | mistake not, 10 be OF
eminent public utility, particularly in medicine,
and which, to say the least, are entitled to can
did investigation. That they nave met with
some opposition is not 70 be denied, bat this Is uo
evidence that they are devoid Of merit; for almost
every new discovery is received by the pubc, IL
the first instance, with doubt or suspicion. il
was once the fashion among surgeons, wncn
lImb was amputdied, TO stop the flow vi 5ood 10y
making an application Of boiling pitch 10 the
stump. In the course Of time Ambrose fare
came upon the stage, and not choosing 10 oe
governed by the dogmas OF the schools, when
there was any chance OF making improvements
N his pro'csst n, he saw proper TO dispense wl;h
the boiling pch and secure the bleeding arteries
with ligatures as is done at the present day
successful as the practice was, he was not only
ndicul,d but bitterly prosecuted by his medical
b-eihren who considered 1t unpardonable tobring
tDor favorlte boiling pitch lGto ds!epute, after ii
had stood the test of ten centuries. Hundreds
have shared the fate of Pare, whose discoveries
this notice must not expect 20 win his way 10
public favor without experiencing similar oPpo
sit!on. One thing however, may be safely as
sered-namcly, that those who oppose him the
most obstinately, however learned or sagacions
they may be in their own estimation, know the
least of his doctrines.
The large and intelligent classes which have
attended DR.. Buchanans instructions IN Boston
have been well satisfied The truth of Neurology,
by experiments made upon members OF the class
cS, somc of whom were entirely skepucal. These
experiments have been repeated iii private with
uniform and highly satisfactory results. The cX-
citabty OF the BRAIN, as taught by DR.. b. / con-
slider we'll established, and feel anXIouS to b.ng
the subject before the public because believe II
will contribute greatly 10 the advancement OF
medical science Tnc old systems of physiology,
as they arc taught by Magende, Bell, and others,
receive new light from these experiments upon
the brain The physiological functions oi this
organ have been revealed by DIR. b. to wonder
iut extent, and he has very clearly and satlstaco
rily PORTED out their connexlon with the clrcu-
lation of the blood the evolution OF heat, the pro-
cess Of breathing, the source OF muscular power.
the nutrition OF the body, and so to the end o
the chapter. He afiirms that sleep, insanity.
health and disease, are explained and made intel
hgihIe BY his demonstrations, and, discardIDg all
theory or speculation, furnishes the facts upon
winch the doctrine must rest.
Or. B. has frequently excited the physioogl-
cal functions o The BRAIN, by operating upon thc
proper regions. without The subjects OF the expert
mcnts having any knowledge OF the effects 10 he
produced. For instance, he has excited the Ie-
gion of the brain which contracts the respiratory
muscles, and produced coughing Ia the healthy
or checked II III those who were abonng under
coughs By another mode ol operation he nas
affected the inspiration OF those who were read.
ing, tnat they began to StaInmer ana were un-
able 20 proceed, IN consequence of their lnaoiIiy
to control The vocal apparatus. BY operating
upon the scat of muscular power IN The brain. he
mas destroyed the strength of vigorous persons 50
that they have fallen Ia the floor. may here
remark, that one ii nv first experiments IN Neu.
rologv was of this kind, and bv lis startling and
unexpected character II completely disarmed me
of all nv preiudccS. The suhject Of the experl-
ment was mghly intelligent English gentleman
travelling IN tins country, VINO was invited 10 call
ut nv office hv mutual friend. upon the suppo-
sjtion that he was lmptcSsible. placed my TN
gers upon the organs OF retXatlOn. - termed, and
~ an instant he fell apparently hleleSs 10 the
i,or. By operating upon the sustalning ana en-
crgctIc regions o the brain he was rapidly restored
Some months after this performed Il similar tx
pertinent upon another gentleman, in the presence
u the Neurological Society IN Tins c,ty. may
aFthev aud, that in my experiments generally
have used all the necessary precautions 10 pre-
vent The Imagination OF those upon whom ope'
rated from having any influence upon the results
Should Dr.. B. visit ous CITY Tor the purpose OF
oromulsating ms doctrines, which, believe, he
intends dong before going abroad, YOU will hnd
that ne has maturcd & beautiful and compreh,n-
sive system OF human science which is deeply
interesting TO the Physolog!s,, the Metaphysician,
and to all medical men who seek TO advance the
interests OF Their profession. N. NJ.