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ception of the nature of reflex action; and in particular he clearly differentiated between the nerve centres governing the viscera from those which regulate the functions of animal life. He regarded the cerebellum as the centre of the visceral functions, a view which he was led to adopt, mainly by the anatomical connections which he thought he could trace between this organ and the vagal and sympathetic nerves.
"When some time past I diligently and seriously meditated on the office of the Cerebel, and revolved in my mind several things concerning it, at length, from Analogy and frequent Ratiocination this (as I think) true and genuine use of it occurred : to wit, that the Cerebel is a peculiar fountain of animal Spirits designed, for some work and wholly distinct from the Brain. The office of the Cerebel seems to be for the animal Spirits to supply some nerves by which involuntary actions (such as the beating of the heart, easie Respiration, the Concoction of the Aliment, the protrusion of the Chyle and many others), which are made after a constant manner unknown to us, or no, are performed."[1]
Willis, as we know, was wrong as to his localisation, but in this and other passages he
- ↑ "The Anatomy of the Brain," chapter xv.
