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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 January 2013
It has been justly observed that the great discovery of the appropriation of the different portions of the Nervous System to the exercise of different functions, would never have been clearly established, but for the fortunate circumstance that, in certain parts of the body, especially on the face, the nerves of sense and of voluntary motion are distinct throughout their whole course. And this consideration may instruct us that, when we have an organ supplied with a variety of nerves, known to be of perfectly different endowments, the study of the peculiarities of these nerves may give us an insight into the purpose or use of some of those pieces of structure in all parts of the Nervous System, in which we must still admit that we see much contrivance, without understanding its intention.
page 68 note * “Certum et inconcussum ut,” says Scarpa, “quinti nervorum cerebri ramum ophthalmicum, orbitam transgradientem, ne minimum quidem filamentum valde conspicuis cæteroquin nervis oculum moventibus addere." (De Gangliis, &c. Isis, 1832.)
page 68 note † De Differentia et Nexu inter Nervos vitæ animalis et vitæ organicæ, p. 162.
page 68 note ‡ It has been stated by Sir Charles Bell, that he believes the 3d nerve to be sensitive as well as motor, because it has an origin from behind as well as from before the grey matter of the crus cerebri; and although the examples of the portio dura and the spinal accessory nerves (which appear to be purely motor, although originating in part from the posterior portion of the cord) render that inference doubtful, yet I am bound to admit that, according to the statement of Valentin,* there is experimental evidence of sensations being felt on irritation of the 3d nerve. But this author is equally confident, from experiment, that there is no sensibility in the 6th nerve;† and it should be remembered that movements are often performed by the 3d nerve,—such as rolling the eyes inwards, and raising the eyelid,—which are not prompted by the sensations of the retinæ, and for the regulation of which sensations in the moving parts themselves may therefore be required.
page 68 note * De Functionibus Nervorum Cerebralium, &c. p. 16.
page 68 note † Ibid. p. 30.
page 70 note * See Edinburgh Medico-Chirurgical Trans. vol. ii.
page 81 note * See Valentin De Functionibus Nervorum, &c, p. 62.
page 84 note * Outlines of Physiology, p. 398.