Matrimony, or, Phrenology and physiology applied to the selection of congenial companions for life : including directions to the married for living affectionately and happily / by O.S. Fowler.

  • Fowler, O. S. (Orson Squire), 1809-1887.
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Matrimony, or, Phrenology and physiology applied to the selection of congenial companions for life : including directions to the married for living affectionately and happily / by O.S. Fowler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/48 (page 10)
    AMOUNT OF BRAIN ALLOTTED TO THE SOCIAL ORGANS. to inherit their patrimony! Give me the glorious privilege of cherishing my dearly beloved parents ; and, at last, when their days are all num¬ bered, let them breathe their last in my arms, as I myself desire to do in those of my children ; and let this family feeling be cherished from generation to generation- AMOUNT OF BRAIN ALLOTTED TO THE SOCIAL ORGANS. Nothing exhibits the power and energy of these social faculties, or the importance of their proper exercise, in a more striking light than the great amount of brain allotted to their organs, which averages from one-twelfth to one-sixth of the whole. Do not, on any account, marry one the back of whose head indicates predominant Amativeness. Still, an ample development behind the ears is a primary and most im¬ portant requisite in a companion, and parent. Those in whom it is- deficient will never enjoy a family, nor render it happy, j It is a well established principle of phrenology that, activity and other things being equal, the larger the amount of brain called into action, the greater will be the enjoyment or suffering experienced. This, in part, explains the immense power of the social feelings over the happiness and misery of mankind. And this power is greatly augmented by their location, or physiological relation to the other por¬ tions of the brain—it being directly calculated to throw much of the latter into a state analogous to their owm Hence the neutral action of the social feelings tends to quiet all the others, which is highly promo¬ tive of virtue and enjoyment; but their fevered or inflamed condition tends to inflame the whole brain, especially the animal propensities, among which they are located, which causes vice and misery. This inflammation renders those recently disappointed in love irritable, fault-finding, and displeased with everything and everybody, and unfit for study or the advantageous exercise of intellect; because their whole brain and mind are thrown into violent commotion, and all their animal propensities are highly excited. Nothing excites Combativeness and Destructiveness to- so high a pitch of indignation, if not revenge, as to be cut out or “ crossed in love ; ” or to have a supposed friend prove untrue ; or to lose a child,, companion, or friend ; or any other inter- nqjtion of the social feelings. Why are duels fought, and more animosities engendered, by inter¬ ruptions in love, and consequent jealousy, than by any other cause ] Let the juxtaposition of the organs of Love and Resistance answer. Even the moral and religious organs are greatly disturbed thereby. On the other hand, many readers can bear experimental witness to that peace of mind, that delightful composure, that happy state of feeling which follows marriage, or the final and favourable adjustment of reciprocated love. These, and kindred states of mind, are caused, and beautifully accounted for, by this principle. And what is more, the facility and power with which these faculties combine, individually and collectively, with each and all the other faculties, is greater than that with which any other classes combine. This greatly augments their power of exciting all the other faculties to the highest pitch of pleasurable or painful action, accordingly as they are properly or improperly placed ; so that their condition reciprocally affects, if it does not go far actually to control, that of the balance of the brain, and, with it, the state of the mind ; and they proportionally hold the keys of our happiness or misery. To illustrate : Though the meal eaten alone may gratify appetite, yet, even the pleasures of the palate are greatly augmented by the ex¬ quisite satisfaction derived from eating at our own table, surrounded by our family and friends. This increased enjoyment promotes digestion