Le Crâne de l'Embryon/du Foetus & le Crâne après la Naissance

The Brain, volume I, chapitre III, The Cranium and its Bones, extraits:

Crâne embryonnaire et foetal:

p. 187: no 197.

“[...] . The embryonic cerebrum in its tender age is not yet covered [...] with any bone, [...]; but it encompassed with a certain general membrane [...] . It follows thence that the motion or animation of the cerebrum then is more constant, freer, less limited; and that the cerebrum yields a more perfect obedience to the desires and the will of the forming substances, or to the nature of the living soul. [...]; [...].“ suite **

“[...]; [...]. [...]. [...]; [...]. The embryonic cranium, or rather the tender membrane which occupies its place, is in the closest proximity to the cerebrum, and constantly presses upon it; and in order that it may embrace it more closely, the position of the foetus in the womb is inverted, so that it lies with the head downwards. From this it follows that the embryonic brain can be expanded only in a general way, and that it is not able to perform any distinct, particular motions, except some few interiorly within its own organism.“ suite****

Crâne après la naissance:

p.187: no 197.

suite** “[...], [...]; [...]. It is different after birth and in the ages which succeed, [...]; it is turned into bone, and become a cranium. [...]. Freedom now decreases, but for the same reason will increases; and this very often does not follow order and nature, but desires to rule over order and nature.“

suite**** “But when the cranium is beginning to be solidified, then the infant is born; and then the brain is reversed, and rests on the neck. The spaces between the dura mater and the pia mater, or between the cerebrum and the cranium, are now beginning to be expanded; and by this means the brain acquires the power of performing its motion not only generally, but also particularly; [...]. A man thus awakens, as it were, out of a deep sleep, and enters upon the life of his body.“

[ Cf. également le billet "Le Crâne et ses Os“ ]