Phrenology vindicated : being a reply to the article by Dr Andrew Wilson, entitled "The old phrenology and the new", which appeared in "The gentleman's magazine", January, 1879 / by A.L. Vago.

  • Vago, A. L. (Ambrose Lewis)
Date:
[1879?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Phrenology vindicated : being a reply to the article by Dr Andrew Wilson, entitled "The old phrenology and the new", which appeared in "The gentleman's magazine", January, 1879 / by A.L. Vago. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In giving his brief glance at the conformation of the brain Dr. Wilson says : “ The organ of mind, contained within the skull, consists of the greater brain, or cere- brum, and the lesser brain, or cerebellum.” Why, what language is this? What can he mean by “ the organ of mind contained within the skull ? ” Is he going to lump the mind into a single unit and claim two brains for its organ ? If this is a specimen of the new Phrenology, what next may we expect ? It certainly has one advantage over the old, for instead of being at the trouble of pointing to particular parts of the head to explain away the mystery of the mind, now, according to his own logic, the Doctor has only to lay his hand on his head, the mystery flies, and lo! all is quite plain and simple. In the course of his brief glance at the conformation of the brain Dr. Wilson informs us that “ the brain substance consists of white and grey nervous matter. The grey matter forms the outermost layer, and encloses the white; in the grey matter thought is chiefly evolved, and the white matter merely conveys nervous impressions.” While Dr. Wilson preaches up this as the physiology of the brain it is a pity he does not know something of Phrenology, so that he might recognise it when he sees it, and save exposing himself in the ridiculous position of presenting a common fact