O.S. Fowler on temperance, founded on phrenology and physiology, or, The laws of life, and the principles of the human constitution, as developed by the sciences of phrenology and physiology, applied to total abstinence from all alcoholic and intoxicating drinks / by O.S. Fowler.

  • Fowler, O. S. (Orson Squire), 1809-1887.
Date:
©1842, 1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: O.S. Fowler on temperance, founded on phrenology and physiology, or, The laws of life, and the principles of the human constitution, as developed by the sciences of phrenology and physiology, applied to total abstinence from all alcoholic and intoxicating drinks / by O.S. Fowler. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/36 (page 15)
    inflame this already predominant portion of his nature, and also to retard his advancement in virtue, intelligence and religion ? Thus far, there is but a single vulnerable point, but one lame proposi¬ tion, but one possible evasion of these inferences, namely, “We do not believe in your Phrenology.” I shall not here enter upon even a brief defence of its truth, nor exhibit of its facts, but refer the reader to works on the science. Still this last proposition, which forms the key-stone of this essay, its one leading thought, namely, that the state of the body is as the state of the animal organs, that, therefore, whatever irritates or stimulates the former, thereby proportionably inflames the latter, is a general fact, a constitutional law of our nature so palpable and so uni¬ versal that “ the way-faring man though a fool,” cannot but see and admit its truth. The following classes of well known facts are only a few of the tens of thousands which might be adduced to prove and illustrate it. A cold or a slight fever does not increase Benevolence or Conscien¬ tiousness, but actually weakens them, whilst it greatly augments the combative and destructive and selfish feelings. Let your child be a little unwell, that is, let his body be in a feverish and irritated state, and he will be peevish, cross and petulent, and fret at every little thing, and that without cause, Causality and Conscientiousness being inactive. Nothing pleases but every thing irritates him. The same is true of dys¬ pepsia or indigestion, and of persons generally in poor health. They find fault with every thing, are ungrateful, and unreasonable in their anger, because of the irritated state of their animal, and the weakened state of the moral and intellectual, organs. Why do not diseases increase our kindness, our devotion, our conscience, our reasoning powers, &c. ? Because bodily disease is first imparted to the animal organs in the base of the brain. But let the child or adult become so very sick that his physical powers are prostrated, and it is these animal passions and desires that are prostrated first and most, whilst the moral and reasoning powers are less impaired. And the first sign of his returning health is his increased hunger, (Alimentiveness,) his irritability and fault-finding dis¬ position, &c. The phenomena of death accord with this principle. The extremi¬ ties are prostrated first, sensation and nervous action rapidly decrease, the animal passions follow next, connubial and parental love, appetite, anger, hard feelings, and love of the world, all yield before the moral or intel¬ lectual faculties feel its deadening influence. Yitativeness, also an ani¬ mal organ, situated in the lowest part of the base of the brain, lets go its hold on life, leaving the dying man willing to depart. Dying persons often attempt to speak but cannot, their organs of language and memory, situated in the lower portions of the forehead near the body, being too far gone to give utterance to the still operating organs of reason, located higher up. The pious Christian, “Dei gratia,” dies in the triumphs of faith, that is, in the vigorous exercise of the moral faculties after the death of his animal nature, whilst others often die in the reversed or pain¬ ful action of these organs. The proverb “ old men for counsel, young men for action,,” embod¬ ies this same principle. “Action” and force of character are given by the vigorous exercise of the animal propensities, which are stronger in young persons than in old, only because their bodies are more vigorous.