Volume 2

On the functions of the cerebellum / By Drs. Gall, Vimont, and Broussais. Translated from the French by George Combe: also answers to the objections urged against phrenology by Drs. Roget, Rudolphi, Prichard, and Tiedemann; by George Combe and Dr A. Combe.

  • Gall, F. J. (Franz Joseph), 1758-1828.
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the functions of the cerebellum / By Drs. Gall, Vimont, and Broussais. Translated from the French by George Combe: also answers to the objections urged against phrenology by Drs. Roget, Rudolphi, Prichard, and Tiedemann; by George Combe and Dr A. Combe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tor, will prove essentially advantageous in a sound re- gulation of its manifestations. If this view be correct, a proper investigation of the subject is important equally in a physiological and moral point of view. We are indebted to Dr Gall for the discovery that the cerebellum is the organ of the sexual instinct ; and fortunately the evidence by which this proposition may be proved is easily accessible, and not difficult of ap- plication. The phrenologists of this country, however, have hitherto been precluded, by the peculiar nature of the details, from presenting them to the considera- tion either of physiologists or moralists. They could not be introduced with propriety into works on the general doctrines of Phrenology, because these were intended for the perusal of both sexes, and of persons of all ages and conditions ; yet the non-presentment of them was attended with many disadvantages. Much valuable information was thereby withheld from that class who had an interest to obtain it. Further, not only the opponents of Phrenology, but physiologists of respectable reputation, continued, year after year, in their books and lectures, to represent the experiments of Flourens, Magendie, and others, as conclusive evi- dence that the sole function of the cerebellum is to re- gulate the movements of locomotion, and to treat the investigations of Dr Gall on this subject as non-exist- ing, or as a dream ; and, lastly, The reputation of Dr Gall, and the reception of his discoveries concerning the