The anatomy and physiology of the human body / by John and Charles Bell.

  • Bell, John, 1763-1820.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The anatomy and physiology of the human body / by John and Charles Bell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library at Emory University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, Emory University.

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    solitude and darkness, the strength of the memory in the contemplation of past events is increased, because there is no intrusion of the objects of the outward senses; and the deaf or blind receive some compensation for their loss in the increased powers which are acquired by a more frequent and undisturbed use of the organs which remain, and a keener attention to the sensations which they present. On the other hand, when we are under the enchantments of a waking dream or reverie, our attention is wholly detached from the present objects of the senses. This state of absence, in a certain degree, is common and natural; it is the exercise of a faculty of the mind. But it may become disease; for the health of the mind consists in a balance of these powers, and a due correspondence betwixt the oper- ation of the senses on the mind, and the efforts of the imagination independent of the senses. The mind (united to the body) suffers in the dis- eases of the body. In the debility of the body, in fever, in spasms, and pain, the faculties of the mind languish, or are roused to unequal strength and to morbid acute- ness of sensation. Sometimes the phantasms and in- ternal sensations of things, formerly received by the outward senses, become so strong in the mind, as to be independent of the outward organ, and mistaken for objects actually present. Such frenzy or delirium arises from a disordered and acutely-sensible state of the internal senses. These impressions being great in degree, hurry and bustle is in the countenance of the patient, and uncommon strength and violence in his actionSj just as passion gives great excitement to one in health, causing a disregard or forgetfulness of all besides. It is thus that internal perceptions become so strong as to be mistaken for realities, and attributed to the impression of real- existences. While in health, during the exercise of imagination, there is a conviction that the ideas are not realities, and the operation of the external senses preponderates in recalling the attention to what is around us. Sleep is another state of the animal system, fitting it for its condition. It is a state of comparative repose ji 3