Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

the former case, we passed on to others, until, in this manner, we had tested all the emotions and propensities which we deemed of most importance. The same plan was adopted with all the five subjects,

Our next object was to compare the results obtained by this process, with Mr Bally's phrenological record. I must not omit to add, that the forms on which Mr Bally had recorded the relative values of the organs, previous to the patients being hypnotised, had been put aside, so that we might not be biassed in our estimate of the manifestations by our knowledge of the phrenological development. On comparing the two records, the result was certainly unfavourable to Phrenology; for in no instance did the manifestations accord with the value or force set upon the several organs, in more than four out of thirteen leading characteristics; whilst, in one case, there was no coincidence whatever,-proving, at all events, to our minds, that Phrenology can gain no corroborative aid either from Mesmerism or Hypnotism. The manifestations were quite as characteristic when excited by auricular suggestion as by muscular suggestion, or manipulating either the head, trunk, or extremities.

On comparing the known characters * of the above individuals, with what was developed and recorded of them during hypnotism, there was a remarkable coincidence. Similar results have also been realised in several other patients whom I have tested in the same manner, since. Nor is it at all surprising that such should have been the case, and that Phrenology should not derive any direct and decided support from Hypnotism and Mesmerism, as had been anticipated. In the latter condition, even granting the organology of phrenologists to be strictly true, the hypnotic and mesmeric manifestations will accord rather with the acquired energy and activity than with the mere size of particular organs, or separate portions of the brain. On the contrary, Phrenology merely contemplates the estimating what ought to be the value of certain tendencies,+ by the size of the organs which answer to them. Moreover, although it is true that a muscle

6

* In a note which we have received from Mr Braid, he says "I formed my opinion of the characters' partly from personal knowledge, and partly from inquiries at the relatives and most intimate friends of the individuals." He has sent us the developments, and estimates of the strength of the manifestations, which latter, he says, are noted in accordance with the opinion of the majority of those present; but their publication does not seem to be necessary.-Ed. P. J.

† Mr Braid here evidently means the natural strength of tendencies, in contradistinction to that acquired by exercise, &c.—ED. P. J.

increases considerably and visibly in size by exercise, it does not follow that separate organs of the brain must increase in the same ratio (or in any ratio at all), with particular quali

ties of the mind.

Mere size is not sufficient to determine the force of function. Much of the perfection and force of function may depend on the perfection of structure, arising from practice and habit, giving greater proclivity to act in a particular manner. I am aware that instances are referred to, where extraordinary corresponding changes have taken place in the form of the head, in individuals who have been actively engaged in new pursuits; but I suspect that such constitute the exceptions, not the rule. I believe that great changes may take place in the moral and intellectual powers, without any appreciable corresponding change being manifested in the external form of the skull. For example, every one knows that a moderate sized eye may be as useful for correct vision as a very large one; and it is also an undoubted fact, that the eye may be greatly improved in accuracy of function by practice, and consequent greater concentration of its powers; but who will maintain that there is thus induced a positive and appreciable enlargement in the size of the organ of vision ?*

No one will dispute that the brain is the organ of the mind; nor will any dispute the power of moral and religious training in changing character, whether they hold that the mind manifests its powers through the brain as a series of distinct organs, or parts, adapted for separate purposes, or as a single organ, and consequently as a servant of all work. In whichever mode this is to be viewed, experience proves that there are antagonist powers and principles in our nature, and that it is indispensably requisite that we should endeavour to cease to do evil," in order that we may "learn to do well." Whether corresponding changes in the size of the brain, and form of the skull, take place pari passu with such changes in the mental and moral condition, I do not pretend to be competent to decide; but, as already stated, I strongly suspect that great changes may take place in the moral and intellectual powers and tendencies, without any appreciable corresponding changes being manifested in the external form of the skull.

[ocr errors]

This, then, seems to be the true position and relation between the two sciences. Phrenology professes to determine

* What grounds has Mr Braid for supposing that the eye is not enlarged by exercise? Analogy is certainly against him; and even if accurate observations were to prove him in the right, still the cerebral organs of vision might be increased.-ED. P. J.

*

character, according to the relative sizes of particular parts of the brain, and not according to the different degrees of activity of these parts, independently of size. The latter is an extent of refinement to which it does not pretend to have attained. The manifestations realised by Mesmerism and Hypnotism, on the contrary, display the energy acquired from habit or practice, as well as (or rather than) the original proclivity to particular trains of thought and action. However well adapted, therefore, the latter mode may be for determining the relative force of the existing tendencies (and, therefore, might be useful as an adjuvant to Phrenology), if taken alone, it is calculated rather to oppose than corroborate the deductions from mere cranial development. Thus, granting, for the sake of argument, that all the separate organs of phrenologists were satisfactorily established, the extreme activity of one function or propensity, superinduced by habit and practice, and the dormancy or sluggishness of others from want of exercise, might, or, rather, most probably would, give manifestations quite at variance with existing development, estimated by the relative sizes of the different organs.

This very circumstance, however, proves that Hypnotism or Mesmerism might be made a valuable adjuvant, for enabling the phrenologist to estimate character more correctly and certainly than by Phrenology only. He would thus, at once, be furnished with a key for determining how far habit, practice, and other concurring circumstances, have been at work in aiding or counteracting original predisposition. This has always been a very difficult point for phrenologists to determine; perhaps it has been the greatest difficulty they have had to contend with. I would, therefore, recommend them to avail themselves of Hypnotism or Mesmerism, as valuable auxiliaries for this purpose; but, if they seek for more from them, I suspect that they will find, that the genuine manifestations brought out by Hypnotism or Mesmerism are more likely to contradict than to support Phrenology.

In conducting the experiments detailed in this paper, the greatest care was taken to guard against every source of fallacy. I should be glad if others would repeat them, with

* Correctly speaking, not "character," which is the result of natural endowment and extraneous circumstances together; but innate dispositions and capacities, which may or may not have been strengthened or weakened by training, but which, when strongly marked in persons of an active temperament, cannot be materially changed by extraneous causes. It is from the latter sort of cases that evidence of the functions of the cerebral organs is derived.-ED. P. J.

† Temperament throws much light on the activity.-ED. P. J.

equal care, on a greater number of patients, and record the results. The method indicated is so simple and obvious, that any one having time and inclination for prosecuting the inquiry further, may very easily do so. I beg, however, to offer one parting remark, which, if not strictly attended to, will render such experiments utterly worthless. The auricular suggestions must be given in every instance in the same form of words, excepting the indispensable change of the name of the new emotion to be excited, and also, as nearly as possible, in the same tone of voice. If a different degree of force of utterance is used in any instance, it will, in a considerable degree, modify the character of the subsequent result. And no whispering or hints should be given, as to the degree of force which may be expected to manifest itself in any instance. Neither should they know, before being hypnotised, the relative value of their phrenological developments.*

* Mr Braid has not shewn that excitement of the faculties by suggestion, is equivalent to their excitement by contact over the organs (for may not the effect be partly attributable to greater vividness, in some persons operated on, than in others, of the ideas which precede the emotions?) Assuming, however, that the two are alike, and, moreover, that Mr Bally's estimates of the cerebral development, as well as Mr Braid's own estimates of the mental manifestations and the ordinary characters of the subjects, were correct (points on which we have no means of judging), such experiments as the above are evidently worthless as tests of Phrenology, except where the brain has the strongly marked character adverted to in a preceding note. This, indeed, is the conclusion of Mr Braid himself. The result of the present cases simply is, that in Mr Braid's opinion there were great discrepancies between Mr Bally's estimate of the size of the organs on the one hand, and his own understanding of the actual character of the individuals, and the estimate, by the majority of the spectators, of the power with which they manifested the different faculties in the hypnotic state, on the other. If it be certain that, in the hypnotic state, those faculties are always most strongly displayed which the person most strongly manifests in his habitual conduct, then Phrenology may be much more simply tested by at once comparing the cerebral development with the habitual conduct, than by the circuitous method proposed by Mr Braid. An intelligent correspondent, who has seen some of his experiments, writes us as follows: "The manifestations elicited by suggestion, without contact over the organs, and those produced by contact without suggestion, appear to me to belong to two distinct classes, which ought to be kept separate and apart. Moreover, to estimate manifestations by figures, appears to be difficult and arbitrary. I am quite aware that, in certain conditions of the hypnotic state, relatively small organs may be roused into considerable activity by suggestions, when those same organs could not be excited by contact, while the larger ones could. This I have seen very well illustrated in some of Mr Braid's own patients. Instead, therefore, of considering Mr Braid's test any test at all of Phreno-Mesmerism, Í apprehend that the only legitimate mode of testing it is to take maiden

III. NOTICES OF BOOKS.

I. The Deaf and Dumb: their position in Society, and the Principles of their Education, considered. By W. R. SCOTT, Ph. D., Principal of the West-of-England Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. London: Joseph Graham. 1844. 1844. Post 8vo, pp. 111.

The object of Dr Scott in sending forth this neat little volume, is to render the public better acquainted than they are at present, with the extent to which deafness prevails, with its effects on the moral and intellectual character of its victims, and with the necessity of making better provision for their instruction. He thinks that a people who contribute thousands annually to enlighten heathen ignorance, will never allow similar ignorance to remain among themselves, without attempting to remove it, were they but acquainted with its existence. Although it would seem that, in Europe, about one person in 1600 is deaf, yet, as the disease has nothing obtrusive in its character, the necessity of such appeals as the present is much greater than in behalf of the victims of more visible calamities.

"Dumbness," says Dr Scott, "sometimes arises from other causes than that of deafness: it may arise from an imperfect formation of the organs of the voice; and children who are so imbecile from mental weakness, as to be unable to acquire a knowledge of articulate sound, will remain dumb; but this dumbness must be carefully discriminated from that produced by deafness. Moreover, the idiotic-mute has no thoughts to communicate, but the deaf-mute may have thoughts, but wants the means of communicating them. A deaf-mute is dumb only because he cannot hear sound, and therefore cannot be expected to use that of which he can form no conception. Those, again, who are dumb from imperfect organs of the voice, may perfectly understand the language they hear spoken, though themselves unable to use it. This kind of dumbness must also be distinguished from that occasioned by deafness, as its effects upon the sufferer are by no means of the same character with those perceived in the deaf-mute. That class, then, only of the dumb who are also deaf, and

cases of non-phrenological patients, and, carefully avoiding suggestions of every kind, try what pointing or contact will effect, and observe the relative distinctness and force of the manifestations from differentlysized organs."-ED. P. J.

« EdellinenJatka »