Volume 2

On the functions of the cerebellum / By Drs. Gall, Vimont, and Broussais. Translated from the French by George Combe: also answers to the objections urged against phrenology by Drs. Roget, Rudolphi, Prichard, and Tiedemann; by George Combe and Dr A. Combe.

  • Franz Joseph Gall
Date:
1838
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the functions of the cerebellum / By Drs. Gall, Vimont, and Broussais. Translated from the French by George Combe: also answers to the objections urged against phrenology by Drs. Roget, Rudolphi, Prichard, and Tiedemann; by George Combe and Dr A. Combe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/390 (page 9)
    PREFACE. THE instinct of reproduction of the species is one of the most powerful impulses of the human mind, and, according as it is well or ill directed, it becomes the source of much happiness or misery to the individual. Like all other instincts, its intensity and activity are di- rectly dependent on the development and condition of the organs which serve for its manifestation during life. When these are largely developed, and the tempera- ment is vivacious, the sexual feeling is naturally ener- getie, and then, unless it be controlled and directed by moral and intellectual considerations, it is apt to run into hurtful excess : on the contrary, when the organs are deficient in size, there is a natural feebleness in the power of manifestation, which may lead to bitter dis- appointment. As, then, this relation between mental feeling and organization exists, it is not unreasonable to believe that an acquaintance with the mode of action and laws to which the instinct has been subjected by the Crea- b