rst all in
harmony. Some observers, as Goltz, even denied the validity of the
conclusions in toto. But a consensus of opinion, based on multitudes of
experiments, soon placed the broad general facts for which Fritsch and
Hitzig contended beyond controversy. It was found, indeed, that the
cerebral centres of motor activities have not quite the finality at
first ascribed to them by some observers, since it may often happen
that after the destruction of a centre, with attending loss of function,
there may be a gradual restoration of the lost function, proving that
other centres have acquired the capacity to take the place of the one
destroyed. There are limits to this capacity for substitution, however,
and with this qualification the definiteness of the localization of
motor functions in the cerebral cortex has become an accepted part of
brain physiology.

Nor is such localization confined to motor centres. Later experiments,
particularly of Ferrier and of Munck, proved that the centres of vision
are equally restricted in their location, this time in the posterior
lobes of the brain, and that hearing has likewise its local habitation.
Indeed, there is every reason to believe that each form of primary
sensation is based on impressions which mainly come to a definitely
localized goal in the brain. But all this, be it understood, has no
reference to the higher forms of intellection. All experiment has proved
futile to localize these functions, except indeed to the extent of
corroborating the familiar fact of their dependence upon the brain, and,
somewhat problematically, upon the anterior lobes of the cerebrum in
particular. But this is precisely what should be expected, for the
clearer insight into the nature of mental processes makes it plain that
in the main these alleged "faculties" are not in themselves localized.
Thus, for example, the "faculty" of language is associated irrevocably
with centres of vision, of hearing, and of muscular activity, to go
no further, and only becomes possible through the association of these
widely separated centres. The destruction of Broca's centre, as was
early discovered, does not altogether deprive a patient of his knowledge
of language. He may be totally unable to speak (though as to this there
are all degrees of variation), and yet may comprehend what is said
to him, and be able to read, think, and even write correctly. Thus it
appears that Broca's centre is peculiarly bound up with t