Contributions of stereoencephalotomy to the body-mind problem.

In this presentation it is not intended to discuss the philosphical aspects of the body-mind problem ; it will only be attempted to survey to what extent subcortical operations in man by means of guided electrodess may have helped us to ascertain which systems passing through or synapsing in subcortical areas take part in those neural mechanisms that are the prerequisite for some psychic processes. We shall deal here chiefly with rather primitive, basic phenomena such as emotions and pain; but also regarding the mechanism of some more elaborate "higher" processes, stereoencephalotomy seems to offer relevant data. These experiences in the human could not have been made without the continuous, faithful cooperation of my friend, Dr. H. T. Wycis. They will necessarily be correlated with, and supplemented by, the results of animal experimentation.