Remarks on the disorders of literary men, or, An inquiry into the means of preventing the evils usually incident to sedentary and studious habits.

Date:
1825
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the disorders of literary men, or, An inquiry into the means of preventing the evils usually incident to sedentary and studious habits. 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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    The animal system is particularly under the control of habit. By the frequent em- ployment of certain muscles, their strength is increased, and we acquire dexterity in then- use ;—a fact which is abundantly exemplified in the activity of the rope-dancer, and the skill of the mechanic. Something of this kind, though in a less degree, takes place in the organic system. Thus the stomach di- gests more readily the food to which it is accustomed, than that to which it is a stran- ger. Whether this influence of habit extends to the brain itself, may admit of some doubt. It is certain that the powers of the mind are increased by exercise, and blunted by neg- lect ; but how far this is produced by their effect on the brain, is the point in agita- tion. It might be thought going too far to attribute to each portion of the brain its par- ticular function, and to maintain that its de- velopment is connected with that of a certain talent or propensityof the mind; though this doctrine can boast its powerful defenders and its rational defence. The growth of this organ usually accompanies the development