This book has been written for those who wish to understand more clearly the clinical concepts behind neurologic levels. It has been designed to be read sequientially, from cover to cover. Each chapter presents basic neurologic information first, then gives it clinical significance by applying it to the diagnosis of the more common neurologic pathologies.
The pattern of teaching thus moves from concept to practice, and from the general rule to its specific application.
However, clinical experience remains the key to real understanding. A book can do no more than present, clearly and concisely, suggested methods of evaluation. In the interest of such clarity, some of the information presented here has been simplified. The clinical findings for each neurologic level have, for example, been stylized to make basic concepts and facts easier to understand; it must be clinical experience that uncovers the variations and exceptions which arise in individual patients. For as Goethe said, "What one knows, one sees."