Phrenology, its nature and uses : an address to the students of Anderson's University, at the opening of Dr. Weir's first course of lectures on phrenology in that institution, January 7th, 1846 / by Andrew Combe.

  • Combe, Andrew, 1797-1847.
Date:
1846
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Phrenology, its nature and uses : an address to the students of Anderson's University, at the opening of Dr. Weir's first course of lectures on phrenology in that institution, January 7th, 1846 / by Andrew Combe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. Gentlemen, On seeing a stranger present himself before you to deliver a lecture introductory to a Course on Phrenology, it will naturally occur to you to ask, Why does he occupy the place which belongs of right to Dr Weir \ The answer to this question will be found in the following brief history of the origin and progress of Phrenology, and of the events which led to the institution of a Lectureship on the subject in this University. From the earliest dawn of science, the attention of ana- tomists and physiologists, and, I may add, of philosophers also, has been earnestly directed to the study of the brain and the nervous system. Enveloped in obscurity as these im- portant organs were, facts of daily and hourly occurrence nevertheless forced the conviction upon the minds of all re- flecting men, that, whenever their functions should be dis- covered, they would be found to fulfil the very highest purposes in the economy of man. Even the most cursory observation was sufficient to shew, not only that the brain is the seat and centre of sensation, voluntary motion, thought, and feeling, but that it exercises a paramount, although often indirect, influence over the whole bodily organization. Under the pressure of deep grief, for example, every function is im- paired, and the powers of life become more and more en^ feebled, till death at last closes the scene, and the individual is said to have died of a broken heart. Under the influence of the strong passion which accompanies maniacal excitement of the brain, the action of the heart is characterised by un- usual violence, the circulation becomes rapid and tumultu- ous, and the whole system is so instinct with energy, as almost to defy restraint. Under the calmer and more equally dif-