A note on the early history of electrical stimulation of the human brain.
We address inconsistencies in two areas concerning who was first to electrically stimulate a human's brain. First, Boring (1950) and others attributed priority to Eduard Hitzig based on information mentioned somewhat incidentally in Fritsch and Hitzig's (1870) classic work using dogs. Others cited Fritsch and Hitzig but attributed priority to Roberts Bartholow (1874). Second, our examination of translations of Fritsch and Hitzig, especially of footnote 16 in Hitzig's report (1870) of a human case, revealed errors, omissions, and inconsistencies. To aid our inquiry, we requested and received new translations of footnote 16 and of Hitzig's report.
Thomas
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Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-3013.
Young
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D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009482:Neurophysiology / Q000266:history