Further researches on the grey substance of the spinal cord / by J. Lockhart Clarke.

  • Jacob Augustus Lockhart Clarke
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Further researches on the grey substance of the spinal cord / by J. Lockhart Clarke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    roots of the nerves, or escape through the anterior columns ; while those from their posterior ends extend backwards to different distances, and form a continuous stratum of fibres along the lateral margin of the grey substance: some of them join the fibres which radiate from the centre, and contribute in succession to form the bundles which escape as a network through the antero-lateral column; others extend as far as the 'posterior cornu, and seem to be continuous with the posterior roots which escape through the postero-lateral fissure. The rest of the posterior roots partly descend toAvards the centre of the anterior cornu, and partly cross the posterior cornu diagonally in connexion Avith a chain of cells, to be continuous with the transverse commissure. In the cervical enlargement (fig. 45), the cells of the anterior cornu are more numerous and more diversified in shape; some of them send processes toAA^ards the anterior com- missure, but a great number have no apparent connexion Avith it. In my first communication on the spmal cord, I stated that the posterior roots of the spinal nerves are attached exclusively to the posterior white columns. I have since found that the same assertion Avas made by Rolando : he says, “ tutti i fili nervosi delle radici posteriori se staccano esclusivamente dai cordoni posteriori del gran funicolo spi- nale; cio che pub essere comprovato in varie e differenti maniere*.” Stilling denies tlie fact, and maintains that in the lumbar region a few fibres traA’erse the posterior part of the aiitero-lateral column. I have again carefully gone over the ground, in the cord both of Man and different animals, and find that my statement is correct. Stilling has probably confounded nerA'e-fibres Avith the blood-A^essels which traA^erse the posterior part of the antero-lateral column much in the way that he represents. APPENDIX. [Added during the printing of the Paper.] ConA'inced of the superiority and value, in many respects, of my method of anatomical research, I will here describe it more fully, together with the modifications Avhich I have lately introduced in some stages of the process, and the precautions necessary to be observed in order to ensure success. The structure or part intended for examination should be as fresh as possible, and cut into portions as small as is compatible Avith the end in view. These portions I formerly hardened by means of a mixture of one part of spirit of wine and three parts of Avater, Avhich at the end of tAventy-four hours was replaced by a fresh mixture of equal parts of spuit and water, and this again after the same interval was replaced by pure spirit, which ought to be reneAA^ed eA'ery five or six days. At the end of ten to fourteen days the medulla is sufficiently hard for making sections, which are then subjected to the following process for the purpose of inducing transparency. The sections are first placed in a mixture of one part of strong acetic acid, and four, five, or six of spirit, for a * Op. cit. p. 82.