Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1830-07-08

Progress of Pbrenotosy.--it is amusing 10
trace back the gradual progress made by new
discoveries III science tuwards general adop.
ton. In tho year 1910, the first English expo
sitiOn of PhrenOogy was published by Dr.
SpnrzheiIn, and universally riiculed both by
the multitude and by men Of scientific repnle--
the medical profession perhaps, exceeding all
others in their Decided hostility to il. In 1920,
so many converts 10 this new science had been
made, that a chronological Ssciety was esiab
Iished in Edinburgh which also was the snbje
Of no little hostility. rldicule ami abuse. In
1925 London, Calcutta, Washington, and some
half dazen English aud Scotch provincial
towns. had initiated the example of Edinburgh,
aud, by this time, with the exception Of the
third and last attempt at opposition by The Ed.
inburgh Review, men oil scientific aud literary
celebrity had, in general, ceased to write a
galnst, though not 10 sheer at, the discoveries
OF Gall and Spurzheim. Another period of five
years Is now nearly completed, and WE find, in
Great Brian alone upwards Of twenty socie.
ties ex clusvely devoted TO phr.nOlo gical inqui-
ry-a number which, perhaps, no other single
aud insulated branch of science can boast.
Hitherto the medical professors OF Edinburgh
have been silent OF sarcastic on this subject /;
but in the present year one Of oar medical lee
turers DIR. Mackmtosh) who deseryedly ranks
~
his course OF lectures for the present collie &c
session, not only declared his conviction of
the correctness Of the chronological ystem but
has requested Mr.. Coombe, OF phrenologic nl
ce ebriiy, To lecture in his stead, during three
days, in order 10 show TO his class the impor-
tant advantages afforded by Phrenology TO the
science OF medicine assuring the members of
his class, that what he had scarcely arrived
| NJ, after many years OF practice, in different
climates, joined with reading, Phrcnology could
give them IN IL few months study OF it, aud so
clear aud :" certain were its principles, that
| If he had the misfortune 10 Ire afflicted with
insanity or any other of the numerous diseases
Of The brain. he would rather trust himself TO
the care of Mr.. Coombe, though not n member
Of the medical profession, than 10 the first phv.
scans in Edinburgh, il ignorant OF Phrenoln
| gy. In this, Mr.. Macintosh is by no means
singular for, among the juniors Of his profes.
siUn. the study OF this science is beginning 10
be seriously cull iva'ed. on account OF lis ex-
| IRENE importance IN diseass Of the brain and
nerves; and even the other practitioners, TO
whom new discoveries and opinions are gene,
rally nnpalatahc, have almost ceased to on
pose phrenolosy openly. Ia the short period
Of fifteen years, since its first Introduction 10
the Brush metropolis, the science has gained
over 10 it hundreds, or rather thousands of
supporters, Notwithstanding that it was then
opposed and rdlcued by several of the first
men IN literature and science and so confident
are its advocates both of utility and lis ra
pidly increasing progress, that many OF them
anticipate another period Of fifteen yeais render
ing the appella'inns OF aniI-phrenoiogist and
old woman Synonymous and equally converii
bic terms for expressing folly aud contempt.
Edinburgh paper.