The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1907-02-21
physiology Of the Brait1.

,Paper Read Before the, ,Cha,tduQua Circle. 4,
~ UR knowledge of the action
and structure of the brain is
derived thru and from several
sources, notably the science OF
psychology, the surgeons scalpel and
the microscope Demonstrations on
the brain in the dissecting rooms OF !
medical colleges are confined to its
material association with the system
and vital organs in general, to its path
illogical resistance and physical action
in life. In medicine this embraces all
that is necessary, and as rule, it is "a
superficial medley of theories and facts
whose practical development rests en-
tirely with the student and his capa-
bilities as a practitioner. Insanity
experts and psychologists, on the other
hand, delve deeper; they probe for
causation of the resulting movements,
both physical and mental.
Removal and dissection of the brain
lis, at best, revolving operation; espe-
ciaIly to the beginner whose innate re-
spect for the dead is, sometimes, great
or than his professional ambition. In
the majority of cases, however, It's
gruesome fascination, exalted by illegit-
innate procurations, ,..overcomes consci-
entiousness and, from the experiment
ter's point of view, the difference
between a corpse and bag of sand is
merely one of complications. This
has reference to psychologists in gen.
eral and to brain specialists in partic-
.ular.
The old-school doctors, and there are
many of them,splod in the well-worn
rut of their predecessors, and for this
reason anything outside of the saw
and dope is questionable. Both FAC
tions, it is true, spend considerable
time pulling the wool over the lay
mans eyes, and while the two protes'
sions are analogous in first principles
only, the professional jealousy, in the
party of the first part, is great. cal
attention to this because my subject
runs in the channels of mental pho
nomenon, and because am ready ant
anxious to explain and back up an!
and all assertions, pertaining to men
tallsm, that l may make in this o
other papers. 1t will be almost need
less to state that the up-to-date specl
alist on brains is in continual practic
and in constant touch with the ware
of his art. The jars in his laborator
contain brains ranging from an ur
horn babes to the mighty folds OF
college professors, and they represer
almost every form Of intelligence, q
peneracy and insanity known to sc
ence.
Some of these highly-prized affal
have been bequeathed, a few arrive
via the hospital janitor and, as tt
doctor will not interest himself in Il
second hand refuse from medic
schools, it is pretty safe to say that Il
rest come G. o. d. Large undertake.
establishments where the embalme
wind costly shrouds around aristocrat
corpses; where they are more somb
eyed than their competitors, is usual
the place where crash towels are ini
ated into the exalted Office of impt
sonating the brain-during the burr
service and after. If the case warrar
it the entire top of the head and bra
nan are also removed, the cavity bel
then stuffed with excelsior, bou
down with cheese cloth and the h'
mucilaged back in place. This rela'
only to cases worthy of scientific
yestigation, especially those where
family of the departed will not cons'
to an unnecessary post-mortem exa
fnation. Upon its arrivalsat the la
ratory it is gently placed on dish
friend of mine uses meat plat
from which he also, absent minded
feeds his dog-and the experiment
with microscope aud instruments
-ceeds to analyze the anomaly.
compares this with notes taken dur
the life of it's owner, and with OF
brains, gaining much practical kno
edge and celebrating it with M
theories.
PhysioIogists divide the brain
two hemispheres known as the 9
!. brum and cerebellum. These are