Education: its elementary principles, founded on the nature of man / by J.G. Spurzheim ... With an appendix by S.R. Wells, containing a description of the temperaments, and a brief analysis of the phrenological faculties.

  • Spurzheim, J. G. (Johann Gaspar), 1776-1832.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Education: its elementary principles, founded on the nature of man / by J.G. Spurzheim ... With an appendix by S.R. Wells, containing a description of the temperaments, and a brief analysis of the phrenological faculties. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    An additional observation concerning the vege¬ tative functions is, that they, like all others, admit of great modifications, nay, even of idiosyncrasies. Some persons on account of their innate vigor and strong constitution succeed under all circumstances : they resist all noxious influences, they digest what¬ ever they eat, whilst others suffer from particular aliments, such as mutton, pigeon, veal, cauliflower, &c. These latter and all other particularities can only be observed, but can never be explained. In regard to them, every one must be his own physi¬ cian. Demosthenes and Haller were kept in a state of regular excitement by drinking nothing but water. Coffee was the favorite stimulus of Voltaire, and tea that of Dr. Johnson. Sir Isaac Newton lived upon vegetables when he was employed in composing his famous treatise on t)ptics. Hobbes sat in his study, enveloped in the smoke of tobacco, &c. In general, however, a strict attention to physical education cannot be insisted upon too much among civilized nations. During the periods of life, from birth to the state of full growth, a third kind of laws is to be kept in view, and these shall be considered in the fol¬ lowing pages.