Medical inquiries and observations (Volume 2).

  • Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813.
Date:
1805
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical inquiries and observations (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    1. Do we observe a connection between the intellectual faculties, and the degrees of .consistency and firmness of the brain in infancy and childhood? The same connection has been observed between the strength, as well as the progress of the moral faculty in children. 2. Do we observe a certain size of the brain, and a peculiar cast of features, such as the pro- minent eye, and the aquiline nose, to be connected with extraordinary portions of genius ? We ob- serve a similar connection between the figure and temperament of the body, and certain moral quali- ties. Hence we often ascribe good temper and benevolence to corpulency, and irascibility to san- guineous habits. Caesar thought himself safe in the friendship of the sleek-headed'' Anthony and Dolabella; but was afraid to trust to the profes- sions of the slender Cassius. 3. Do we observe certain degrees of the intel- lectual faculties to be hereditary in certain families? The same observation has been frequently extend- ed to moral qualities. Hence we often find certain virtues and vices as peculiar to families, through all their degrees of consanguinity, and duration, as a peculiarity of voice, complexion, or shape.