Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 113, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1914 — MAY CURE CRIPPLES [ARTICLE]

MAY CURE CRIPPLES

Grafting of Nerves May Accomplish This Result. London Burgeon Shows Brain Cells Can Be Given Two Separate Functions—Makes Experiments on Foreleg of Dog. London, England.—The Times reports one result of important nerve grafting experiments recently by Prof. Robert Kennedy of Glasgow, proving conclusively that a brain cell may be taught, to perform two separate functions. Ea,ch nerve communicates with a particular set of brain cells which control its activities. It was supposed that these ceUs were able to perform only the function allotted to them by nature. Doctor Kennedy made experiments on the foreleg of a dog. He severed, all the nerves connecting with the muscles below the joint and then connected all these muscles to . the group

of nerves controlling flexion or bending. The dog was for some time unable to direct or co-ordinate its movements. Gradually, however, about the ninetythird day, this power returned and was regained completely by the one hundred and twenty-third day. The possible applications of the discovery are wide. For example, the nerves of a withered or useless limb, the function of which has been lost because of some injury to or disease of the brain, if connected to the nerve trunk leading to a healthy part of that organ might again receive and convey stimuli. In that case the degenerated and flabby muscles would again regain power and the infirmity would b& cured. *