The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-11-05
GROWTH OFsANEWzBR
Traces Of It Found in the Nerve
Fibers Of Monkeys.
1ntsrssting Result Of . seisntist's Re
search In vivisection-New Celu-
lar Matter Replaces
the Old. vgY4 s..

1nterosting Result Of . 9clentist's Re
search In vivisection-New Cslu-
lar Matter Replasss
the Old. vgq 3s a.
If the claws Of 2 crab be pulled oil
new ones grow in their place, and some
lower forms Of animal life are not
much disturbed at the loss of any pari
of the organism, so complete 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, out 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 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 centers do not grow
again after destruction. But now
comes NJ. Alexander N. Vitzou, and by a
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) 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 extirpation of those lobes results, as
is known. in total loss of sight in both
monkeys and dogs. The experience OF
the author concerning this point agrees
with that Of NJ. H. Munck and confirms
his conclusions. The later researches
Of different scientists have confirmed
the facts which he demonstrated.
Repeating the experiment of total
extirpation of the two occipital lobes
of monkey, February 10, 1893, M.
Vitzou noticed during the fourth
month the animal commenced to per-
ceive 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 months following the
operation. .st f#
On April 24,-1s95. M. vitzou re-
peated the operation upon the same
animal. After denuding the skull
he found the orifices of trepana-s
ton closed by a mass of rather
firm connective tissue. On lifting
the mass with care, to his aston.
ishmeri and that of the assistants stand
ing about him, he found the entire
space which had formerly been occu-
pied by the occipital lobes completely
filled with mass of new-formcd sab.
stance. This he proceeded at once to
examine. ----~-~.---.----
az portion was taken from the center
of the mass closing the oritice OF
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
fbers- The nerve tissue was present
IN large 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
- N-@-A. = ~ 90
"In brief, the conclusion from the
experiment is that the new
substance occupying the place OF the
occipita! lobes was OF a nerve nature,
and that it was due to new forma-
ion of cells and of nerve fibers in the
brain of the monkey. Here is a fact,
.ays the author. which demonstrates
the possibility of regeneration OF nerve
tissues in the brain, as swell as what was
known. that active nutrition
s maintained in the rest of the organ.
Moreover, we find in the presence OF
,ells and nerve fibers in the new-formed !
mass an explanation OF the fact con-
,erning the bettermcnt, although
light, Of the sense of sight. This ex-
,lains also contradictory facts Pre-
,epted by different scientists, in the
.ase of partial extirpation OF the brain
ollowed by an amelioration OF, the
unctions lost during the first opera
ion." Literary Digest.
Engaged to Famous Mon.
Ano os~%< ~ YNlrv~ n Col. z