The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

230 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.current. The attempt made was to sinlilatethe action of the nerve cells, by discharginga current of electricity upon the grey matterof the brain, and recording the results whichcame under observation. Experiments werebegun in 1870 in Germany by Fritsch andHitzig, the dog being the animal experimentedupon. The investigation was undertaken alsoby Dr. Ferrier of King's College London, andmuch more extended and varied results werepublished by him in 1873. Confirmatorywork, executed with many precautions, wasundertaken on the subject in 1874 by a committeeof the New York Society of Neurologyand Electrology,-a committee which includedDrs. Dalton, Arnold, Beard, Flint, andMasson,-testing results by frequent renewalof the experiments; and at the same time, asimilar course of inquiry was being conductedin Paris by Carville and Duret.*By these investigations, the possibility ofelectric stimulation of the cortical or greymatter of the brain, and consequent activityof the nerve system has been fully established;and though there is still considerable diversity* For detailed narrative, see my work on The Relations ofMind and Brain, chap. iv. p. 79.