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Rafael Lorente de No Reprints and Drawings
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Rafael Lorente de No Reprints and Drawings

  • FC170
  • Collection
  • 1921-1934

One bound volume of reprints of 19 scientific articles, 1921-1934, authored or co-authored by Rafael Lorente de Nó.

Two framed original cartoons drawn and lettered by Rafael Lorente de Nó. One is entitled “The Spirit of Nerve.” The second is primarily text which reads, in part: “Beware of the Arquitrabe!”

Lorente de No, Rafael

Reprints, 1921-1934.

One bound volume of reprints of 19 scientific articles, 1921-1934, authored or co-authored by Rafael Lorente de Nó. Lorente's general research interests during this time period were anatomy of the central nervous system, physiology of the labyrinth, and neurophysiology. The reprints include his work under Cajal in neuroanatomy including spinal cord responses to injury with a compression model in tadpoles (1921) and studies on the trigeminal nerve (1922). Out of his work with Bárány in Sweden came publications on the physiology of the labyrinth especially the vestibulo-ocular reflex (1927-1931). He published results of earlier neuroanatomical work including anatomy of the eighth nerve (1933) and the structure of the cerebral cortex (1934).

The Spirit of Nerve, circa 1945.

Framed original cartoon probably drawn and lettered by Rafael Lorente de Nó entitled “The Spirit of Nerve” which depicts an impish creature in a box connected to an electrical circuit, similar to Maxwell’s Demon. It was originally a Christmas present given by Lorente de Nó to Birdsey Renshaw in 1945. An inscription reads: “To Birdsey; Xmas 1945; Rafael.”

Beware of the Arquitrabe!, circa 1950.

Framed cartoon, primarily text which reads: “In the language of Cervantes and Cajal ARQUITRABE often means Hablar de lo que no se sabe (to speak of things one knows nothing about) --- In the language of Neurophysiology CONNECTIVE TISSUE SHEATH often means ARQUITRABE; Beware of the Arquitrabe!” Inserted just above the last line is a drawing of a ferocious bulldog wearing a studded collar coming out a wooden, double-door gate. An arquitrabe is a Spanish architectural term referring to the lowest portion of a beam resting on top of a column. The use of arquitrabe here is idiomatic and based on a traditional story about the King Philip II of Spain. Philip was at the Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial – an enormous palace complex which he helped design – and giving a tour to a boorish dignitary who repeatedly criticized the architectural details, but who clearly didn’t know what he was talking about. At one point Philip in exasperation corrected the dignitary saying “you are talking about the arquitribe.” The dignitary asked, “what’s the arquitribe?” and Philip responded “Hablar de lo que no se sabe” ([the thing] you speak of which you know nothing.)