Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-04-15
THE LIVING BRAIN,
Extraordinary Experiments i'm a Cincinnati
@.s'-. W. 81 Hospital. B-Hs -"

extraordinary Experiments i'm a Cincinnati
@-.+'-.. at .@i Hospital. 5-Ht "
sHEtgs From the Troy Times Faof .H9t
a Some curious, and, we may add,
rather startling experiments upon a hui
man subject were recently made at the
Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati,
by DR.. Robert Bartholow. The victim.
if that be proper word to be used in
this connection, was a woman about 80
years OF age, who, owing to an accident
in childhood, was suffering from an in
durable cancerous affection of the head
which had resulted in the destruction
Of the bones of the occiput to such an
extent as to leave a portion of both
hemispheres of the brain exposed.
Knowing, as he did, that instances have
occurred in which the brain was pene-
trated by foreign substances, and por-
tons OF it even lost, without inficting
obvious injury, DR.. Bartholow deemed
this an excellent opportunity to test the
effects of electricity upon it. Procuring
some exceedingly fine needles, he insu-
lated them to near the point, SO that
the electric currentwhen applied, should
econfined to small extent of substance,
and inserted item at various times
during three weeks, into the brain, to
depth OF from one twelfth of an inch
to an inch and a half, and applied a
Farad1c current (whatever that may be),
the weakest that could be used. Some
curious results were obtained. The
first point demonstrated was the abso-
lutte insensibility of the dura mater. or
membranous covering of the brain, and
of the brain substance itself near the
surface. The patient, though fully
conscious and in the possession of her
faculties, was wholly insensible to the
presence of the needle. At certain
depth Of penetration sensation was ap-
parent, not in the brain itself but in the
extremities, chiefly in the hand and arm
opposite the hemisphere of the brain.
which was the locality of the expert
ment. When the needle was inserted
deeply into the left hemisphere, for
instance, painful tingling was occa-
stoned in the right arm and hand, and
0sce Tersa. Similar phenomena were
observed when the needle was connect
ed with a galvanic battery, the pain in
the arm and hand was intensified. and
distinct muscular movement ensued
Application of strong electrical cur
rent caused "unilaterial epilepsy of the
opposite side, of great violence" The
patient, whose case was a hopeless one,
finally succumbed, and the question
whether she might have lived longer
but for DR.. Bartholow's practical devo-
ton to scientific inquiry remains an
open one. 1t was raised at meeting
OF medical and surgical experts, before
which the doctor described the history
of this remarkable case, one evening
last week, and the general impression
seems to have been that the woman was
injured during those three weeks of
empirical research. Dr. Bartholow
SAID, In answer to inquiries, that after
her death he made an examination,
which showed that the brain substance
was destroyed along the course taken
by the needle and he added that with
the knowledge he now had as to the eff
feet, he would not repeat the expert
ments. There seemed to be difference
of opinion among the assembled doctors
as to the justification of venturing upon
measures which might possibly shorten
the life of a patient, merely in order
that the stock of medical knowledge
might be increased. The general i'm
preston, however, was that where re-
covery is impossible, and the patients
consent is given, such experiments may
properly be made. With that conclu-
sion we shall not quarrel, but our opin-
ion is that nothing of the sort should
be attempted without the express con-
currence of the persons most nearly in
terested.