RE-GROWTH OF THE BRAIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue VIII, 14 August 1897, Page 252

RE-GROWTH OF THE BRAIN.

A corrbspondbnt sends the following paruculars on * Re-growth of the Brain ’ to the Phrenological Journal :—An astonishing discovery is reported to have been made by a physician in Paris. It is that the brain has the power of self-reproduction. If a man’s finger be cut off no one expects to see a new finger grow in its place, or if his eye is removed no one expects to see a new eye grow in its socket; but according to Dr. Vitzou, if a portion of the brain be taken away the remaining cells put forth their power to replace the part that is missing. Dr. Vitzou made the discovery through experiment. One of his patients whose brain was injured, and who was believed to be permanently incapacitated, unexpectedly recovered. The physician was so much surprised that he determined to investigate further. He obtained two monkeys, and removed from them that portion of the brain which receives visual impressions. They were then totally blind. They had the eye and the optic nerve, but the part of the brain that received the impressions of the organ being taken away they were as blind as if their eyes had been put out. They remained blind for several weeks, but afterwards it was evident that they were recovering sight Gradually they regained their power, and were eventually able to see as well as at first. Dr. Vitzou then opened their skulls, and found that there had been a new growth of the brain, and the missing part had been replaced. Dr. Vitzou thinks that if the brain of the monkey can do this the human brain has the same power. The discovery, if it proves true, is one of great importance, as it holds out hope in many cases which have hitherto been regarded as hopeless. If the brain has the power of self-development, it is the only organ of the body that has it.