Cajal's Brief Experimentation with Hypnotic Suggestion

Spanish histologist Santiago Ramón y Cajal, one of the most notable figures in Neuroscience, and winner, along with Camillo Golgi, of the 1906 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries on the structure of the nervous system, did not escape experimenting with some of the psychiatric techniques available at the time, mainly hypnotic suggestion, albeit briefly. While a physician in his thirties, Cajal published a short article under the title, “Pains of labour considerably attenuated by hypnotic suggestion” in Gaceta Médica Catalana. That study may be Cajal's only documented case in the field of experimental psychology. We here provide an English translation of the original Spanish text, placing it historically within Cajal's involvement with some of the key scientific and philosophical issues at the time.     

Taphonomy and experimentation

Many experiments have been conducted in the field of taphonomy in order to understand the effects of some agents and the associated pattern and process of bone modifications. A review of these experiments and the patterns of bone modifications is presented here. Numerous experiments focus on peculiar points of bone accumulation, mainly to gain knowledge about human habits and practices, but the action of some taphonomic agents has also been explored, among them, diagenetic processes. The striking feature of all these works are that they are localized, performed on non–statistical samples and without repeatability. Very few experiments combine different agents to fit more closely to the complexity of most fossil bone accumulations.     

Cajal's views on the Nobel Prize for physiology and medicine (October 1904)

In this report we present and discuss an unpublished letter written by Santiago Ramon y Cajal in October 1904 in relation to his possible nomination for the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine. This letter shows that Cajal was aware of his previous nominations for the Prize. He was convinced that these nominations had not been successful because neither anatomy nor histology were among the sciences included in the Nobel Statutes' definition of Physiology or Medicine. He gives a list of the merits he thought might be used for a new nomination, which included only works concluded during the previous five years.     

Cajal's Views on the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine (October 1904)

In this report we present and discuss an unpublished letter written by Santiago Ramón y Cajal in October 1904 in relation to his possible nomination for the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine. This letter shows that Cajal was aware of his previous nominations for the Prize. He was convinced that these nominations had not been successful because neither anatomy nor histology were among the sciences included in the Nobel Statutes' definition of Physiology or Medicine. He gives a list of the merits he thought might be used for a new nomination, which included only works concluded during the previous five years.     

Books in brief

Text books

William G. Andrews, with the assistance of Franz D. Scholz, eds.: Soviet Institutions and Policies: Inside Views, Van Nostrand, N.J., 1966, pp. 411, $5.45.

Lewis P. Fickett, Jr., ed.: Problems of the Developing Nations, Crowell. N.Y., 1966, pp. 211, $U.S.2.50.

E. E. Schattschneider: Political Parties and Democracy, New York, 1964, pp. 64; William Ebenstein, Communism in Theory and Practice, N.Y., 1964, pp. 94; Juanita M. Kreps, Taxation, Spending, and the National Debt, N.Y., 1964, pp. 64. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, $1.15 each. Australian distributor: Rigby Ltd., Adelaide.

Cyril Roseman, Charles G. Mayo, F. B. Collinge: Dimensions of Political Analysis, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1966, pp. 368, $8.30.

M. Kent Jennings and L. Harmon Zeigler, eds.: The Electoral Process, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1966, pp. 304, $8.10.

E. K. Fisk, ed.: New Guinea on the Threshold, Australian National University Press, Canberra, 1966, pp. 290 + xix, $3.95.

Donald G. Herzberg and Gerald M. Pomper: American Party Politics: Essays and Readings. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1966, pp. 562 ‐f xiv, $6.55. Distributor: Rigby's.

Benjamin Baker and Stanley H. Friedelbaum: Government in the United States, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, pp. 561 + xiv, $9.95. Distributor: Thomas C. Lothian.

Norman D. Palmer: South Asia and United States Policy, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, pp. 332 ‐f‐ x, $5.75. Distributor: Lothian.

John H. Fenton: Midwest Politics, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, pp. 244 + viii, $4.60. Distributor: Rigby's.

Raymond E. Wolfinger, ed.: Readings in American Political Behaviour, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1966, pp. 338 + viii, $5.00.

Robert C. Fried: Comparative Political Institutions, Collier‐Macmillan, London, 1966, pp. 152, $1.75.

Francis J. Sorauf: Political Science: an informal overview, Charles E. Merrill, Columbus, Ohio, 1965, pp. 115 + x, $2.00.     

Books in brief

Books—Overseas Texts

Alexander Passerin d'Entreves: The Notion of the State: an introduction to Political Theory, Oxford University Press, London, 1967, pp. 233, $5.80.

Robert A. Dahl and Deane E. Neubauer, eds.: Readings in Modern Political Analysis, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1968, pp. 424, $5.00.

Aaron Wildavsky, ed.: American Federalism in Perspective, Little Brown, Boston, 1967, pp. 277, $4.35 (paperback).

Edgar Litt, ed.: The Political Imagination, Scott, Foresman & Co., Glenview, 111., 1966, pp. 532, $U.S.4.25.

H. V. Wiseman: Political Systems: Some Sociological Approaches, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1966, pp. 254, $5.65; David Easton, ed.: Varieties of Political Theory, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1966, pp. 154, $7.00; James C. Charlesworth, ed.: Contemporary Political Analysis, Collier‐Macmillan, London, 1967, pp. 380, $4.60 (paperback); Eugene J. Meehan: Contemporary Political Thought, Dorsey Press, Homewood. 111., 1967, pp. 437, $7.40; W. J. M. Mackenzie: Politics and Social Science, Pelican, pp. 424, 75c; Oran R. Young: Systems of Political Science, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1968, pp. 113, $2.20 (paperback); William C. Mitchell: Sociological Analysis and Politics: The Theories of Talcott Parsons, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1967, pp. 222, $7.30; Roy E. Jones: The Functional Analysis of Politics: an introductory discussion, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1967, pp. 101, $1.30 (paperback).

Inis L. Claude, Jr.: The Changing United Nations, Random House, New York, 1967, pp. 140, $2.25.

Samuel Hendel and Randolph L. Braham, eds.: The USSR After 50 Years: Promise and Reality, Knopf, New York, 1967, pp. 299 + vi, $4.55.

Ernest Barker: Reflections on Government, Oxford University Press, London, 1967, pp. 424 + xvii, $2.15.

Alfred G. Meyer: Communism, 3rd ed., Random House, New York, 1967, pp. 241, $2.25.

Isaac Deutscher: The Unfinished Revolution: Russia 1917–1967, Oxford University Press, London, 1967, pp. 115, $3.60.

Karl Jaspers: The Future of Germany, translated and edited by E. B. Ashton, University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London, 1967, pp. 173, $U.S.4.95.

Martin Gilbert and Richard Gott: The Appeasers, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, London, 1967, pp. 444 ‐+‐ xvi, $3.85 paperback, $7.80 bound.

Lewis J. Edinger, ed.: Political Leadership in Industrialized Societies, John Wiley, N.Y., 1967, pp. 376, $4.95.

Books—Australian

Alan Birch and David S. Macmillan, eds.: Wealth and Progress, Studies in Australian Business History, Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1967, pp. 190, $4.25.

M. I. Jennings, comp. and ed.: Federation: A collection of contemporary documents. Hill of Content Archive Series, Melbourne, 1967, $3.75.

J. R. Odgers: Australian Senate Practice, 3rd ed., Government Printer, Canberra, 1967, pp. 511 + xiv, $4.50.

Margot Beever and F. B. Smith, comps.: Historical Studies: Selected Articles, Second Series, Melbourne University Press, 1967, pp. 293 + x, $2.30 (paperback).

T. R. Luscombe: Builders and Crusaders: Prominent Catholics in Australian History, Lansdowne Press, Melbourne, 1967, pp. 453, $4.50.

Craig McGregor: People, Politics and Pop: Australians in the Sixties, Ure Smith, Sydney, 1968, pp. 221, $1.50.

Zelman Cowen: Isaac Isaacs, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1967, pp. 261 + xiii, $6.00.

Allan Dalziel: Evatt the Enigma, Lansdowne Press, Melbourne, 1967, pp. 186, $5.50.

Tom Mann's Memoirs, with a Preface by Ken Coates, Macgibbon & Kee, London, 1967, pp. 278 + xiv, $5.45.

Arthur Manning: Larger than Life: The Story of Eric Baume, A. H. and A. W. Reed, Sydney, 1967, pp. 184, $3.25.

Cyril Pearl: Morrison of Peking, Angus and Robertson, Sydney, 1967, pp. 431, $6.95.

Peter Coleman and Les Tanner: Cartoons of Australian History, Thomas Nelson (Australia), Melbourne, 1967, pp. 195, $3.95.

A Guide to Book Contracts, published for The Australian Society of Authors by The Australasian Book Society, Sydney, 1967, pp. 49, $2.10.

Pamphlets

Royal Institute of Public Administration, Victorian Regional Group, Bibliography of Administrative History, Melbourne, 1966, pp. 60, roneoed. $1.00 + postage from: Mr. K. R. Jones, Royal Institute of Public Administration, 4 Bolinda Street, Bentleigh, S.E.14, Victoria.

R. L. Wettenhall: Evolution of a Departmental System: A Tasmanian Commentary, University of Tasmania, Hobart, 1967, pp. 50. 50c and postage, from the Union Bookroom, University of Tasmania.

Victorian Labor College, Jubilee 1917–1967, V.L.C., Melbourne, 1967, pp. 30. 30c + postage, from Victorian Labor College, Box 39, Trades Hall, Melbourne 3001.

Council for Civil Liberties: If you are arrested, C.C.L., Sydney, 1968, pp. 14, 20c.

J. M. Geraghty: The Citizen and the Police, Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, P.O. Box 33, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, 4067; 1967, pp. 16, 10c + 5c postage.

The Australian League of Rights: Objectives, History, Organisation, Journals, Basic Books, Melbourne, n.d. [1968?], pp. 16, 20c.

E. W. Peters, M.P.: A Financial Invasion: The Take‐Over of Australia (Comments on Overseas Capital Inflow), Gale Press, 342 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Victoria, 1967, pp. 16, 25c posted.

Sydney University Liberal Club: Forgotten People, Sydney, 1967, pp. 24, 20c + postage.

J. D. B. Miller: Sir Winston Churchill and the Commonwealth of Nations, University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia, 1967, pp. 28, 75c.

Julius Stone: The Middle East Under Cease‐Fire, Sydney, 1967, pp. 16.

K. S. Cunningham: The Social Science Research Council of Australia: 1942–1952, S.S.R.C.A., Canberra, 1967, pp. 34. Distributor: A.N.U. Press. 90c.

D. E. Butler: Political Television, A.N.U., Canberra, 1967, pp. 14. Available free of charge from School of Political Science, University of N.S.W., Kensington, N.S.W. 2033.     

Books in brief

Books

Gerald E. Caiden, The Commonwealth Bureaucracy, Melbourne University Press, pp. 443 + xvi, $8.50.

Denis Kenny, The Catholic Church and Freedom: The Vatican Council and Some Modern Issues, University of Queensland Press, St. Lucia 1967, pp. 236, $4.00.

John H. Fenton, People and Parties in Politics, Scott, Foresman, Glenview, Ill., 1966, pp. 147, $U.S.3.95.

Bradbury Seasholes, Voting, Interest Groups, and Parties, Scott, Foresman, Glenview, Ill., 1966, pp. 136, $U.S.2.50.

P. H. Lane, An Introduction to Australian Constitutional Law, Law Book Co., Sydney 1967, pp. 131, $7.50.

P. E. Joske, Australian Federal Government, Butterworths, Sydney 1967, pp. 240, $7.75.

Raymond J. O'Dea, A Guide to Industrial Relations in Australia,West Publishing Corporation, Sydney 1967, pp. 119, $3.00.

J. E. Isaac and G. W. Ford, eds., Australian Labour Economics: Readings, Sun Books, Melbourne 1967, pp. 452, $3.50.

D. B. Williams, ed., Agriculture in the Australian Economy, Sydney University Press 1967, pp. 349, $6.00.

Edward C. Dreyer and Walter A. Rosenbaum, eds., Political Opinion and Electoral Behaviour: Essays and Studies, Wadsworth Publishing Co., Belmont, California, 1966, pp. 495, $4.95.

Lewis A. Coser, ed., Political Sociology: Selected Essays, Harper & Row, New York 1967, pp. 274, $2.88.

Axioms of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson, London 1967, pp. 85, $1.80.

William E. Griffith, ed., Communism in Europe: Continuity, Change, and the Sino‐Soviet Dispute, 2 vols., pp. 406, 439.

Robert H. McNeal, ed., International Relations Among Communists, Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1967, pp. 182, $U.S.2.45.

Australian Institute of Political Science, Communism in Asia: A Threat to Australia? ed. John Wilkes, Angus and Robertson, Sydney 1967, pp. 206, $1.95.

G. F. Trevallyn Jones, Saw‐Pitt Wharton: The political career from 1640 to 1691 of Philip, fourth Lord Wharton, Sydney University Press 1967, pp. 300, $5.00.

Pamphlets

John S. Baker, The Right to Strike and the White Collar Worker, Morgan Publications, Sydney 1967, pp. 42, 30c.

Catholics for Peace, Forum: Catholics, War, Vietnam, pp. 36, Sydney 1967, 40c + 10c postage.     

The Mousterian bone retouchers of Noisetier Cave: experimentation and identification of marks

Retouchers are fragments of bone used during the Paleolithic to strike stone flakes in order to transform them into retouched tools. Our experiments show that the mark produced on retouchers differs depending on whether they were used to strike flint or quartzite. Our results suggest that numerous pits, most often with an ovoid form, characterize the retouching of quartzite flakes. Most of the scores produced with this material have a sinuous morphology with rough interior faces. The areas with superposed traces have a pitted appearance. On the other hand, the retouching of flint flakes, produces pits that are most often triangular in form. Most of the scores have a rectilinear morphology with smooth interior faces and their superposition results in the formation of hatch marks. There is also a relationship between the characteristics of the mark and the relative state of freshness of the retouchers. The validity of the criteria identified was confirmed by a blind test. These diagnostic criteria were applied to archaeological retouchers from the Mousterian site of Noisetier Cave. The results obtained improve our knowledge of the technical behaviors of Neanderthals and allow us to address questions concerning their techno-economic implications.     

A brief history of brain archiving

This paper narrates the history of the conservation of the human brain, tracking techniques of brain archiving from the first experiments in the preservation of soft tissue in spirits of alcohol to the latest refinements in cryogenic technology. It traces the changing social and legal conditions that permitted the collection of post mortem human tissue, as well as the increasingly sophisticated technologies that allowed for the preservation and storage of this material. This preliminary survey of brain archiving uses examples of specific collections in order to discuss changes in the techniques, goals and achievements of neural tissue collecting from the mid-eighteenth to the late twentieth centuries.     

现代历史地理学对当前淮河流域史研究的启示

在区域史的学术语境下,现代历史地理学对于当前淮河流域史研究具有一定的启示。首先表现在学术理念上,动态时空理念有助于对历史时期淮河流域空间范围的把握,借鉴人地关系、关怀现实这些理念,不仅可以对历史时期淮河流域复杂的人地关系进行学术层面的探讨与研究,同时,对于当前淮河流域的社会经济发展和环境改善也具有现实意义。其次表现在治学方法上,空间要素的分析、综合、比较有助于揭示淮河流域作为一个独立历史地理单元存在的事实,而文献记载与野外考察相结合的方法则可以加深研究者对淮河流域历史与现实的理解。     

浅议午亭山村

午亭山村(现名皇城或日黄城村),位于山西省阳城县东北20公里的樊山南麓,因清康熙皇帝御笔亲书而闻名,系康熙年间渊阁大学士兼吏部尚书陈廷敬的故居。