A new association fiber tract in the cerebrum with remarks on the fiber tract dissection method of studying the brain

I n April and May, 190s) while as an undergraduate pursuing the elective course in advanced anatomy in the Harvard Medical School under Professor Dwight, I was repeatedly and agreeably surprised with the ease and accuracy with which many of the fiber tracts of the brain, the nuclei, and the deep origins of some of the nerves could be dissected by methods slightiy modified from those employed in studying other parts of the body.Through the kindness of Professor Dwight and Dr. Warren, I was allowed to use a large number of brains for dissection, in the course of which new and impressive pictures of well-known structures were continually occurring.With such novelty and distinctness did these stand out that one not familiar with the original works of the early anatomists would almost be convinced that a new method of attacking the difficult problems of brain anatomy had been discovered.The attempt to follow fiber tracts by dissection seems to be the most natural method for investigation of the larger structures in the brain, and one that would be first thought of.So it is not surprising to learn that before the advent of the microscope, among the different methods of brain study attempted by our predecessors, fiber-tract dissection had a place, and many of the larger structures were displayed with considerable skill.With the introduction of the microscope, however, this method became neglected.and one cannot see in the text-books of to-day a single