Phrenology versus intemperance : a lecture on temperance, considered physiologically and phrenologically : or, The laws of life, and the principles of the human constitution, as developed by the sciences of phrenology and physiology, applied to total abstinence from all alcoholic and intoxicating drinks / by O.S. Fowler.

  • Fowler, O. S. (Orson Squire), 1809-1887.
Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Phrenology versus intemperance : a lecture on temperance, considered physiologically and phrenologically : or, The laws of life, and the principles of the human constitution, as developed by the sciences of phrenology and physiology, applied to total abstinence from all alcoholic and intoxicating drinks / by O.S. Fowler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    5/32
    In presenting this subject, I shall first briefly explain some of those laws which govern the influences of the body upon the mind, and of the mind upon the body, showing what conditions of either induce and cause those of the other; secondly, point out the consequences or penalties at- tached to the violation of these laws; and, thirdly, show the effects of intoxicating drinks, of every kind and degree, upon the physical and thereby upon the mental economy, violating these laws and thus indu- cing their penalties, first by powerfully stimulating the body, and thereby the merely animal nature of man, and also weakening his moral and intellectual powers; and, secondly, by shortening human life. Independently of its application to temperance, its physiological and phrenological facts and principles will be found eminently interesting and valuable to all classes. PROPOSITION I.—There exist reciprocal relations between the conditions of the body and the states of the mind, each influencing and being i?\fluenced by that of the other. For aught we know, man might have been created a purely spiritual entity, without a body, but the great ends of our existence are evidently better secured by our natures being compounded. Hence we are composed of mind and body so closely united by the reciprocal action of certain physiological and phre- nological laws, that the conditions of each have a perfectly reciprocal and powerful influence upon the states of the other, each throwing the other into its corresponding state. Hence a clear, cold morning, a heavy, muggy atmosphere, oppressive heat, <fec, very differently affect the mind by throwing the body into different states. A high fever increases the mental manifestations and augments the feelings, whilst hunger, fatigue, and every enfeebled state of the body proportionably weak- en them. Dyspepsia induces irritability, peevishness, gloom, and a a most wretched state of mind and feeling, totally reversing their char- acter, and changing the friend into the misanthrope, the blessings of hope into the bitterness of despair, and the happy man into a most miser able being. Physical inaction induces mental sluggishness, whilst a due degree of exercise or labor clears the mental horizon of those clouds with which confinement or slothfulness envelopes it, producing a delight- ful flow of thought and feeling. Food and sleep, or the want of them, powerfully and very differently affect the states of the intellect and feel- ings, whilst a sufficient dose of arsenic or laudanum extinguishes both for this world. Sickness enfeebles and health strengthens the mind; and most of our constantly occurring changes of feeling and mental action are attributable to the causes involved in this proposition. Some of our ablest speakers and writers of all classes have learned by expe- rience to practice abstinence preparatory to their most powerful efforts. Certain kinds of food excite some of the animal passions, whilst others