Buchanan's Journal of Man, December 1887: Volume 1, Number 11
History
Buchanan's Journal of Man, December 1887: Volume 1, Number 11
Medicine -- Periodicals; Phrenology -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
Its basilar surfaces, pointing downwards, have their normal influence
upon the body. Behind the ear they act upon the spinal cord and
muscular system. Hence basilar depth produces vital force and muscular
power. But as the basilar functions, which use the body, are opposite
to the coronal functions which sustain our higher nature, it follows
that excessive use of the body, either for exertion or for sensual
pleasure, is destructive to our higher faculties, operating in many
respects like the indulgence of the lower passions. Hence mankind are
imbruted by excessive toil as well as by excessive sensuality and
violence.
While the basilar region behind the ear operates upon the posterior
part of the trunk, that portion in front of the ear operates more
anteriorly, affecting the viscera, in which there is no muscular
vigor, and the tendency of which is toward indolence. Thus the
vertical line separates the indolent from the energetic basilar
functions, and all the enfeebling, sensitive, morbid faculties that
impair our energies are in the anterior basilar region.
The normal action of these organs, however, is necessary to life, and
sustains the visceral system in the reception of food and expulsion of
waste. But as it is the region of sensibility to all influences, it
renders us liable to all derangements of body and mind, unless we are
strongly fortified by our occipital strength. The tendency to bodily
disorder has been explained by reference to the organs of Disease and
Health. Insanity, or derangement of the mind and nervous system,
belongs to a basilar and anterior location, which we reach through the
junction of the neck and jaw (marked Ins.). It is more interior, but
not lower than Disease, in the brain. Its antagonism is above on the
temporal arch, between the lateral and upper surfaces of the brain,
marked San. for Sanity. It gives a mental firmness which resists
disturbing influences.
The coronal region or upper surface of the brain has the opposite
influence to that of the basilar organs in all respects, withdrawing
the nervous energy from the body, tranquillizing its excitements, and
attracting all vital energy to the brain, especially in its upper
region. By sustaining the brain, which is the chief seat of life, and
by restraining the passions, the coronal region is more beneficial to
health and longevity than any other portion. In the posterior part it
not only has this happy effect, but by sustaining the occipital half
of the brain, gives a normal and healthy energy to all the powers of
life. Such is the influence of the group of organs in which Health is
the centre.
[Illustration]
It is obvious, therefore, that the study of the brain reveals laws
which give us the strongest inducement to an honorable life as the
only road to success and happiness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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