days after the operation (June 5 to June 26, 1904), the affected area on the forearm became sensitive to temperatures between 37° C. and 34° C. The tendency to diffusion and reference greatly diminished.
Five hundred and sixty-seven days after the operation (November 12, 1904), the greater part of the affected area on the back of the hand had become sensitive to cutaneous tactile stimuli, and temperatures below 37° C. evoked sensations of warmth.
Chapter II.—Methods of Examination.
It was recognized by experiments before the operation that the ordinary distractions of a busy life were fatal to the detachment required by the sensory tests we wished to apply. We therefore determined that the work should be carried out in St. John's College, Cambridge.[1] The inner of a set of rooms on the top floor of the second court, belonging to Dr. Rivers, was devoted to these observations. Here, absolutely quiet and undisturbed, free from the petty worries of a busy life, H. gave himself over entirely to examination.
As a rule, he travelled to Cambridge on Saturday, after spending several hours in the out-patient department of the London Hospital. But, on Saturday evening, he was found to be in a condition of so great fatigue that no observations could be made until Sunday morning. If, therefore, it was necessary to carry out a long-continued series of tests, H. came to Cambridge on Friday night, returning to London on Monday morning. Occasionally longer periods could be devoted to these observations.
Between April 25, 1903, the date of the operation, and the last sitting with Dr. Rivers on December 13, 1907, 167 days were devoted to this investigation.
The greater part of the work was done in the morning. Then H. went for a walk or a ride, and in the summer occasionally spent the afternoon on the river. The time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. was commonly spent in control experiments on normal parts, or in amplifying the results obtained earlier in the day. During the evening, these were talked over whilst H. marked out the hand, and determined the position of the cold- and heat-spots in preparation for further tests next day.
The plan of investigation was debated beforehand, and was frequently
- ↑ Dr. Head wishes to take this opportunity of expressing his gratitude to the President and Fellows of St. John's College, Cambridge, for the generous hospitality extended to him during the five years he was their frequent guest.
