NOTE V.Exaggeration of Broussais, even in Phrenology.Page 120.We ought to read that volume over again, and forget the Cours de Phrénologie.
Exaggeration of Broussais, even in Phrenology.Page 120.We ought to read that volume over again, and forget the Cours de Phrénologie.
Exaggeration of Broussais, even in Phrenology.
Page 120.We ought to read that volume over again, and forget the Cours de Phrénologie.
Broussais does not adopt merely the general ideas of the phrenologists—he adopts even the smallest of them.
Gall had located theinstinctofmurderin a given part of the brain; and he supposed, be it understood, that this part existed only in the brain of the carnivorous animals. But see, it is found in the brain of the herbivora; and one would suppose that the phrenologists would be in trouble about it. Don’t deceive yourself, theinstinct of murderis theinstinct of destruction. Spurzheim denominates itdestructivity; and the herbivorous animals must possess it, for they eat plants and consequentlydestroythem.
“The herbivora” says Broussais, “effect a real destruction among plants.[202]An attempt has been made to turn these ideas into ridicule, even in an Academy.... It was in a learned society of this kind considered ridiculous in the phrenologists to compare the destruction of vegetables to that of animals. For my own part I do not see why the idea should be rejected, if the fundamental object of the organ be to procure the means of alimentation, which seems to be quite certain.”[203]
Gall imagines an organ for religion; he thinks it peculiar to man, and denominates it theOrgan of Theosophy. The same organ is found quite down in the scale as low as the sheep;[204]and do not suppose that Broussais is at all shocked by the discovery. If necessary he will go further than all the phrenologists taken together.
“The phrenologists” says he, “have denied that this sentiment (the sentiment of veneration) belongs to theanimals. I am not of that opinion. A certain shade ofvenerationexists in many species, among the vertebrate, that choose their leaders, and march according to a signal given by their chiefs and obey them. Thus even among the sheep you may see a chief.”[205]
Who would have believed it? Broussais finds Gall too timorous.
“There is,” says he, “no central organ. This is considered as one of the most powerful objections to Gall. As far as I know he never answered it. As for me, I shall be more frank, perhaps more bold: I shall say it is impossible that there should be one, &c.”[206]