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root. These portions subserve distinct purposes. The cerebral nerves are composed of nine pairs, sometimes divided as twelve four of pure sensation, terminating in the special senses, and five motor nerves. Nerves from either lobe of the brain terminate in the opposite half of the body. Thus the dexterity of right-hand work involves a discipline of the left lobe of the brain. This lobe consequently tends to greater power.

Lesson 91 - 2. Offices of each part - p.381

2. The spinal cord is the means of sensation and of movement through the entire trunk and extremities. If this cord is cut, sensation and the power of movement by the will are lost in the parts below the point of separation, The power of movement nevertheless remains under local irritation after the division. Superficial irritation will cause a spasmodic movement, accomplished by a reflex action of the spinal cord alone. Movements closely resembling voluntary action, of which the individual is unconscious, and which he cannot control, will, under these circumstances, take place in the limbs. The circle of nervous action is completed through the spinal cord, independently of the brain. The spinal cord, by virtue of its grey matter, is itself a nerve centre. Including in the spinal cord the medulla oblongata, continuous in structure and functions with it, we find that they, independently of the cerebrum and of consciousness originate and sustain many movements. They institute and harmonize a portion of the automatic action of the body. Of this sort are movements connected with digestion. After the food has passed the lips, been tasted and masticated in the mouth, and thus been fully subjected to inspection and voluntary action, it goes through the remaining processes of digestion, dilution, assimilation, without further consciousness of voluntary action. The contractions of the throat, the peristaltic movement of the stomach and intestines are accomplished by nervous stimuli,