Page:A case of double consciousness Albert Wilson 1904 MPD in a child.djvu/8

8 B 7 named herself "Adjuica Uneza," and came suddenly in May, 1896, and stayed for about a fortnight. She could not walk, and at first was very dazed. She had a remarkable memory for the small events of her childhood up to the date of her influenza, but she knows nothing that has happened since. Her memory of events which happened when she was between two and three years of age was very remarkable. As it has been shown by Bolton that the more superficial layers of small pyramidal cells of the cortex develop later than the deeper layers of larger pyramids, is it possible that the deep pyramidal layers were now called into activity by some stimulation, vascular or otherwise?

It commends itself to common sense that the deeper layers precede the more external and superficial in development and evolution. The converse I have seen in the brain of an alcoholic wreck, with mental enfeeblement and degeneration even of the lower nervous system. In this case the superficial layer of small pyramids was distinctly atrophied. The association fibres did not show a corresponding amount of degeneration and disappearance as if they were hitched on to deeper strata of cells. The point that I wish to raise is that the vaso-motor changes would first affect these more distant cortical areas rather than the deeper strata, producing more psychic disturbance.

A sharp line of demarcation caused by the influenza and meningitis shut off the more superficial and external layer of developing pyramids with its mental pictures and memories. We may regard these higher psychic areas as damaged, for we see the ravages of meningitis, especially among the children of the poor. While many appear to recover and grow up to adult life, may not their whole personality be altered, as in this case? How many criminals and lunatics are handicapped in this way from childhood! The law, while keen for justice, is aptly personified as blind to mercy. Is it not for our profession to collect evidence which might lead to a better protection for society and a different principle on which to deal with the ever-multiplying criminal population?

B 8 was a short-lived personality, lasting only four days. On June 20th, 1896, she had convulsions, and was very lost. The following morning she knew no one, and said she was only born last night, so how could she know anything? However,