The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-08-15
GROWTH FANEW BRAIN
Traces OF It Found In the Nerve
Fibere OF Monkeys.


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lar Matter Repaasss
the Oad.
II the claws Of crab be pulled of
now ones grow in their place, and some
lower forms Of animal life are not
much disturbed At the loss OF any part
OF the organism, 40 complete q power
do they possess of replacing lost tissue
by growth. 1t has generally been sup
posed that in the higher animals this
power was entirely absent, but recent
researches have tended to show that
they possess it, not, to be sure, in regard
to their legs, eyes or ears, but in regard
to a more important organ than any
of these-that which dominates them
all-the brain. The fresh growth of
brain-cells, after part OF that organ has
been removed, has, it is true, been
strennously denied. The results OF
experiments have been contradictory,
and as short time ago as 1894 Mari
nesen concluded that the cells and
fibers of nervous contere do not grow
again after destruction. But now
comes 81. Alexander N. Vitzou, and by
series of experiments on monkeys has.
as it would seem, proved that Marinesen
was wrong, and that part Of the
brain will grow again if removed. OPP
ponents Of vivisection will condemn the
eminent biologist for cruelty, and will
hardly accept the plea that the result
of his experiments may alter for the
better whole systems of treatment in
brain disease or injury; yet, all such
questions aside, no one can fail to see
the interest OF his conclusions from a
purely physiological standpoint. We
quote from the American Naturalist
(June) a few paragraphs describing
the experiments already mentioned.
"In pursuing his studies on the
physiology of the occipital lobes, NJ.
Alexander n. Vitzou has discovered
the presence of cells and Of nervous
fibers in the substance Of noviforma-
ton, in the monkey, two years and two
months after the complete cutting
away of the occipital lobes. The en-
tire ext;rpation Of those lobes results, as
is known, in a total loss of sight in both
monkey and dogs. The experience OF
the author concerning this pointagrees
with that Of N. II. Munck and confirms
his conclusions. The later researches
Of different scientists have confirmed
the facts which he demonstrated.
Repeating the experiment of total
cxtirpation Of the two occipital lobes
of a monkey, February 10. 1888, NJ.
Vitzou noticed during the fourth
month the animal commenced to per
ccive persons and objects, but with
great difficulty. At the end Of Ii
months the ability to perceive was
greatly increased. The monkey could
avoid obstacles, which he could not do
during the first mouths following the
operation.
On April "a, 1898, N. vitzou re-
peatcd the operation upon the same
animal. After denuding the skull
he found the orifices OF trepana-
ton closed by q mass of rather
firm connective tissue. On lifting
the mass with cure, to his aston
ishmert and that Of the assistants stand
ing about him. he found the entire
space which I'D formerly been occu-
pied by the occipital lobes completely
filed with mass OF new-formed sub
stance This he proceeded at once to
examine.
"a portion was taken from the center
of the mass closing the oriace OF
trepanation, and another from the pos
terror part of the new-formed sub
stance found in the skull. n.
Vitzou demonstrated the presence OF
pyramidal nerve cells and Of nerve
ibcrs. The nerve tissue was present
IN la1ge quantities, and the nerve cells
less numerous than in the occipital
lobes of the adult animal. but their
presence in the new-formed mass was
constant.
'In brief, the conclusion from the
preceding experiment II that the new
substance occupying the place OF the
occipital lobes was OF nerve nature,
and that it was due to new forma'
ton of cells and of nerve fbers In the
brain of the monkey. Here is fact
says the author. which demonstrates
the possibility OF regeDefatlOn OF nerve
tissues in the brain, as well as what war
previously known. that active nutrition
is maintained in the rest of the organ.
"Moreover. we find in the presence o!
cells and nerve fibers in the new-formed
mass an explanation Of the fact con-
cerning the bettermcnt, although
slight, Of the sense Of sight. This ex
plains also contradictory facts pre-
sented by different scientists, In the
case Of partial extirpation of the brain
followed by an amelioration Of the
functions lost during the first opera
tion."--Litera-y Digest.
Engaged to Famous Men.
A former sweetheart of John c. Cal
houn Is an inmate of Louise home. She
has q ring that he gave her, lock OF
hair and other melnentoes Of an early
engagement, and she likes to tell the
story of her love affair. Another woman
here was once engaged to James Blu.
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