PSYCH 220 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Electric Spark, Ferdinand Hitzig, Reticular Theory
Document Summary
Early conceptions of mind and body (1700bc 1600ad) Did not think that the brain was an important organ: believed the mind was in the heart. Edwin smith surgical papyrus: first written account of the brain. Cerebral spinal fluid: believed to be written by imhotep, described how the site of head injury was related to neurological symptoms. Observations that brain is important for certain aspects of personality. Ionian philosophers believed the universe could be understood by reason alone: there are a set of laws by which the universe is governed. Early dissection experiments: vision in animals established a connection between the brain and sense organs. First to champion idea of brain as the seat of the mind. Hippocrates: first to believe diseases were due to natural cause, rather than wrath from the gods. Attempted to separate medicine and religion: also believed the brain was the seat of the mind.
