Some account of Dr. Gall's new theory of physiognomy founded upon the anatomy & physiology of the brain, with the critical strictures of C. W. Hufeland.

  • Robinson, Henry Crabb, 1775-1867.
Date:
1807
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some account of Dr. Gall's new theory of physiognomy founded upon the anatomy & physiology of the brain, with the critical strictures of C. W. Hufeland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    3J Among the cases which G. stated to shew the possibility of lire continuing after a par- tial destruction of the brain, was that of a clergyman who was under his care, arid who complained that one half of his head was good for nothing, he could not think on that side, &c. He preached three days before his death, and on examining his brain, the side complained of was found actually mouldy ; the other side was in an inflamed state. Analogous to this are the well known cases of Hemiplegy. Against this notion of a duplicity of organs in the brain, the unity of perception and consciousness has been brought forwards. But the analogy of the external senses is a sufficient reply to this objection ; the organ is not in the one case, any more than in the other, considered as the principle of sensation or perception, it is but the material condition of their exercise. G. digressed*hcre concerning the use of the double organs; it is enough briefly to observe that he is of opinion only one eye, one ear, &c. is employed-at a time ; and that these suc- ceed each other in their operation. Proba- bly, he said, the right side of the brain is the more active, as the right side of the body throughout, head, breast, eye, hand, arm, foot.