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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 78

Development of Nerve Cells

Development of Nerve Cells

A neuroblast, as its name indicates, is [unclear: us] embryo nerve cell. The primitive [unclear: brai] cells are neuroblasts, and Dr King [unclear: show] pictures illustrative of sprouting—a process verv much like the growth of a plant [unclear: a] appearance. A peculiarly interesting fact from the evolutionist's point of view [unclear: w] explained—viz., that every animal tends [unclear: to] reproduce in itself the different [unclear: stags] through which its ancestors have evolved. This is clearly seen in the neuroblast pictures. The nerve growth in a man, [unclear: for] instance, is almost precisely on the [unclear: same] lines as the nerve growth in a rat up [unclear: to a] certain point; but the man grows [unclear: further] and sprouts more branches than the [unclear: rat] And the principle holds good right through. For sake of comparison, the lecturer [unclear: p] in sequence upon the screen a photograph of the highest brain cells of a [unclear: amphi] reptile, mammal, and man, showing [unclear: the] progressive growth of ramifications. After explaining the delicacy of these cells, [unclear: and] the need of carefully nourishing and keeping pure the blood that feeds them, [unclear: Dr] King said that nobody who [unclear: understood] these matters would allow people to be [unclear: pa] in rooms like some of our sehoolrooms, where there was no pretence of [unclear: systematics] ventilation. We had no right to [unclear: comp] or even to allow boys and girls to sit and do mental work in the cold for long hours with defective furnishings, in places [unclear: when]

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Fig. IV.

Fig. IV.

Schemes A to D represent the highest Brain Cells in the Lower Animals and in Man. (Adapted from ajal and Azoulay.)

The lower series, below and left-viz., Cells a to e—show the early stages of development of any individual Higher Nerve Cell in Man, proceeding from right to left. By further growth Cell e ultimately develops into Cell D.

it was absolutely improper for them to do any sort of work at all. In mere commercial matters people were more careful than that. An intelligent publican had been known to ventilate his bar parlor, because he.. knew that his clients would get incapable quicker on carbonic acid and alcohol than on alcohol alone. Therefore he ventilated, so that, they might hold out longer, and buy more champagne or whisky. Dr King said he found it very difficult to keep within bounds on this subject. It seemed to him that he was not expected to have any feeling. It was painful to be blessed (or" cursed with the power to see the stupidity of these things—cursed with the necessity to think, and yet to feel almost impotent to alter what could se easily be set right.