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Person

G. W. Crile

Crile pursued a long research programme on fatigue, exhaustion and death, and in 1926 set out a bipolar theory of living processes. The theory treats the cell as an electrical system and extends that view to nerve action, memory and thought.123 Lillie cited Crile's earlier book on shock and exhaustion for structural changes in the central nervous system.4

In the library
1 work, named in 1 passages elsewhere
18501875190019251950197520002025Lillie, R. S., 19231Crile, G. W., 19262Crile, G. W., 19263Crile, G. W., 19264Crile, G. W., 19265Crile, G. W., 19266
01

Research on exhaustion

Crile says the work began with failed experiments in an improvised laboratory in Cleveland. In 1895 they gained a place at University College London under Sir Victor Horsley.1 The study then continued in London, Cleveland and war hospitals in France, and later in university and clinic laboratories.

02

Bipolar cell and brain

In the 1926 book Crile describes the brain in electrical terms. Currents from sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch or pain travel along specific paths and “fire” brain cells. Those cells in turn fire muscles, glands or other brain cells, which can produce an action, a memory or a thought.3 The book also lists figures on the electric record of the brain after prolonged insomnia and after rest.5 Carbon is discussed as an element with properties of particular value to the bipolar function of cells.4

03

Citation by Lillie

Lillie, writing in 1923 on protoplasmic and nervous action, pointed readers to Crile's book of 1921, A Physical Interpretation of Shock, Exhaustion, and Restoration. The reference was for instances of structural alterations in the central nervous system.6 The passage shows Lillie treating Crile's observations as relevant to the physical basis of nervous activity. The held passages do not show Lillie accepting or disputing the later bipolar theory.

SourcesEach quotation was checked word for word against the passage it opens.
  1. Cf. the instances of structural alterations in the central nervous system described in Crile's recent book, A Physical Interpretation of Shock, Exhaustion, and Restoration, London (1921).Lillie, R. S., 1923 · Protoplasmic Action and Nervous Action · open at passage 108
  2. After futile experiments in an improvised laboratory in Cleveland I was fortunate enough to secure an opportunity in 1895 to pursue this research in the University College of London under the direction of Sir Victor Horsley.Crile, G. W., 1926 · A Bipolar Theory of Living Processes · open at passage 12
  3. During this long search for the underlying causes of fatigue, exhaustion and death, data were accumulated which made it apparent that to understand the nature of exhaustion and death,Crile, G. W., 1926 · A Bipolar Theory of Living Processes · open at passage 12
  4. Thus an action or a memory or a thought may be produced by the physical energy of sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch or pain which in turn “fires” certain brain cellsCrile, G. W., 1926 · A Bipolar Theory of Living Processes · open at passage 285
  5. Among the normal constituents of living matter, one other, carbon, deserves especial consideration because of certain properties which render it of essential value to the bipolar function of the cells.Crile, G. W., 1926 · A Bipolar Theory of Living Processes · open at passage 427
  6. The effect of prolonged insomnia and of insomnia followed by a period of rest on the electricCrile, G. W., 1926 · A Bipolar Theory of Living Processes · open at passage 4
In the library1 work
A Bipolar Theory of Living ProcessesCrile, G. W.
1926
A Bipolar Theory of Living Processes
Crile, G. W.
1926 · read
Quoted inArticles that quote this person's work