Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1868-03-17
MIND N MATTER.

were once thought to be so clear
ly made out, are becoming less and less
distinct under tho searches o fthe atomic
philosopher and Psychologist, with the
aid Of tho microscope, and ofthe physlc-
list, into the phenomena Of heat, light,
electricity and magnetism. But thcre
is still a limo of separation which cannot
be obliteratod by all our experiments
and ~rcasonings and we arc no nearer a
solution of the great problem by show
ing in what q minute particle of matter
any vital force or nervous power can
reside, than when It finds lodging and
embodiment in q large mass. At the
same time, it is now more than ever
evident that the want Of identity be-
tween mind and matter docs not forbid
q close relationship and sympathetic
union between the two, so that what
ever jars the mind must disturb It's
material clothing, the body, as this lat
ter, in its turn, is disturbed by agit"-
tons of the former. And yet, notwith-
standing, this truth has always been
seen, felt and acknowledged, the study
of mind has been, from tho earliest
times, carried on in tho abstract, and
without reference to its material invest
ment and h~abitation. Need it be Won
dered that metaphysics has been so dry
and unproductive Of practical applica-
tion2 Progress, it is beginning now to
DO admitted, must come from the study
of mental phenomena through tho body,
and, particularly Of that part Of it, tho
brain, which is the material instrument
of mind, and of the spinal marrow and
the connecting nerves, which transmit
its behests. Setting out from this point
of view, the writer of n clear and we'll
written article in the Westminster Review
presents an outline Of the human and
comparative anatomy Of the nervous
system as part Of the study of Physio-
logical Psychology" It may DO said,
as q general proposition, that with the
increased development and more COM
pick organization Of this system, from
tho molluscous division up to man, there
is a corresponding increase of sensibili-
ty, instructive power and intelligence.
Restricting the inquiry to the structure,
comparative size Of functions Of the
brain proper, or great brain, we look at
it anatomically as the cerebrum, with
its two lobes and superimposcd upon
all the other nerve centres-the
cerebellum or little brain, and
the medulla %oblongata spinal marrow.
The cerebrum is found to increase in
size, complication and Importance as
We ascend the scale of animated beings
up to man. 1t is now universally be-
lieyed to DO the organ, if not a congo
ries of organs, of intellectual action and
volition, and Of the sentiments and affec-
tions. In its bony case of skull-cranium,
we can see its situation and relative do
velopment by looking at the forehead,
the summit and the sides Of the skull,
which is moulded on it. Of the mode
Of action of the cerebral lobes in the
performance Of intellectual operations,
we know nothing, although some sue
cess has been obtained in localizing in
particular parts Of their structure tho
organic seat Of certain intellectual pro-
ccsses, as for example, of consciousness
in the sensory Of gauglia. These parts
of tho cerebrum, seen at its base,
abound in gray matter, which consists
of a mass Of granules and cells, and is
most active in functions Of the two ele-
ments Of the nervous system. at is
highly probable that wherever such
matter exists there is q true centre of
nervous force" The other element is
the white matter, consisting Of fbres of
a peculiar structure which are found in
all parts of the nervous system, and
whose Office is simply to conduct, but
without the power of generating any
fresh force. The gray matter resembles
the battery at a telegraph station, the
white fbres are analogous to the wires.
The writer in the Westminster, to-
wards the conclusion of his essay, turns
to DR.. Maudsley's Physiology and Pathol-
ogy of the Mind. This author would
make it appear that in the movements
taking place in tho nerve cells, or in the
transmitted action from one to another,
wo have tho material cause and expla-
nation Of volition and various processes
of thought. Thus he tells us: 1.-THE
persistence for q timo Of a certain degree
Of intensity Of energy in tho ideational
cell would certainly appear to be the
condition of Consciousness" DR.. Mauds-
ley, here, and in other assumptions Of
the like character, exceeds the bounds
of legitimate inference, and makes a
show Of connection between physiology
and psychology not in character with
the actually intimate relations that ought
to exist between them. Reference is
made by the writer in tho Repieto to
Carpenters works on the I" Principles
of Human Physiology" "as the best
account with which we are acquainted
of the nervous system Of man."
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