Familiar lessons on phrenology : designed for the use of children and youth / by Mrs. L.N. Fowler.

  • Fowler, Lydia F. (Lydia Folger), 1823-1879.
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Familiar lessons on phrenology : designed for the use of children and youth / by Mrs. L.N. Fowler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    NERVES OF THE BRAIN. i ' f \ i i I i || I | ! | 5 I ) it I 24. It is the nervous system -which gives animals a higher rank than vegetables. The lowest animal has some nerves; and the more elevated the animal the more extensive and perfect is his nervous system, up to man, in whom it is found in perfection. Man is universally acknowledged to be far superior, naturally, to the brutes, although he does not always use his powers to the best advantage. 25. It is, and has been generally admitted that the brain is the seat of the mind; but this general idea was not sufficient to satisfy every one. Dr. Gall, who lived in Germany nearly a hundred years since, was one of those who were not satisfied with this explanation. He was a very inquisitive lad when young, always looked around him, and thought about what he saw. 26 He noticed amongst his school mates that some of them were very generous and amiable, some selfish, some obstinate and cruel, others kind and affectionate. He found that one liked the study of arithmetic, another could commit to memory, and so on. When reflecting on these things, the thought occurred to him that there was always harmony in the works of Nature, and that there was a cause which produced every effect. He became convinced that there must be a cause why he could not recite his lessons as rapidly and freely as some of the other boys. He was very observing, and soon saw that all those scholars who could recite their ideas so well had large full eyes. 27. When he attended the university he made the same observations ana reasoned somewhat in this way: “The brain is said to be. the seat of the mind. Perhaps there is, therefore, a portion just behind the eyes which enables all those in whom it is developed to learn their lessons and repeat them when learned.” 28. “ If this be correct, then why are there not other portions for different functions of the mind ? ” He noticed the head of everybody he saw; he visited schools and prisons ; he collected all those who are particularly prone or inclined to cruelty, and found that all those had a little prominence over their ears. He then collected those who were interested in other things, and found that those resembled each other also in the shape of the head. He was finally satisfied that there was a distinct portion of the brain for every distinct faculty of the mind. . . 29. He became a distinguished physician. Being still deeply interested m his new discoveries, he and his pupil, Dr. Spurzheim, a very intelligent and scientific gentleman, lectured and travelled through many of the countries of Europe; and though many would not listen to them, yet they had not a shadow of a doubt as to its truth. 30. They called this new science, Phrenology, which means “ The science of the mind.” . , 31. The eyes are never in the back part of the head, neither is the nose, nor the mouth. We never see by the mouth, neither do we hear by the eyes. There is a separate nerve for seeing, proceeding directly to the eyes; another for hearing, to the ears, and these are always the same. 32. We say that the brain is divided into many different parts, just like the rooms of a house, called organs, and that different emotions or faculties of the mind are located or situated in these different parts. So wherever there is an organ of the brain, it always manifests itself in the same way, as much as the optic nerve always produces sight, and the auditory nerve hearing. 33. If one part of the brain be used more than the others, that part grows, just as certainly as the right arm of the blacksmith becomes larger than the left when he uses it every day, for then there is more blood sent to sustain it. The same holds true with respect to every portion of the brain. 34. It may seem strange to you, children, that any one can tell by the shape of the head whether a man is good, kind, or benevolent, but if you will give me your attention, I will try to make it so clear that you will be able to understand it. 35. You know that one apple is larger than another, and so also is one head larger than other. We judge something by the size, but, as the smaller apple some¬ times has a better and richer flavour than the larger, so some heads are very large in consequence of disease, as in case of hydrocephalus, where water collects in the brain, and swells it to a great and unnatural extent. The body must be in a healthy con¬ dition for the mind to act freely and vigorously; but more of this hereafter. 36. Plan of Arrangement.—As I have told you, all of Nature’s works are per¬ fect_everything is arranged with order and system. Every bone and muscle is adapted to the purpose for which it is used. The head is in its right position ; also the hands, arms, and feet. The nerves that pass to the face, eyes, &c., are not situated low down in the body, so that sensation has to travel a great distance, but they proceed immediately from the brain, &c. W^e should also expect some order or method in the division of the brain.