Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-11-12
From the London Literary Gazette.

Nv, Vol. VII. No. XXIX.-Edinburgh, 1881.
This number, the only one We have seen-at
least, for a long whle-of the chronological
Journal. set out with letter to the conductors OF
the periodical press flor that reason, we presume,
sent TO us,) calling upon them to advocate the
"utiity of phrenolOgy as system OF moral I'M
proyement' We will not argue the question,
or animadvert upon the absurd lengths TO which
the apostles of phrenOlogy, as science, carry
their dogmata; but we will at once go to the
fourth paper, that which has provoked our indig-
nation, and ask if the detail Of such aboninable
cruelties, under the name Of experiments, IN
stead of procuring allies to the cause OF Phreno
logy. is not sufficient to revolt human nature
against it and its atrocious professors?
The paper is entitled g Bouillaud's expert
ments to discover the functions Of the brain,
concluded;" and so cold blooded narrative of
barbarities, perpetrated on, "a worthless plea, it
never has been our painful duty to perusc. We
doubt that man has right to inllict such fortunes
on the animal creation, under any pretext what
ever; and We stretched the principle to the Ut.
most when we only slightly reprehended the
publication Of M. MagenJe's experiments, JUS
tilted as they were upon the ground thai by them
the alienation and cure Of the severest maladies
which aflrt mankind would be facilitated. Even
then, and in that case, the general voice OF the
community condemned the unguarded promulga-
ton, not confined to medical men, but addressed
10 all classes of readers, Of experiments neces-
sar,ly so repusnant to the feelings. and so evil
IDENTIFY calculated to blunt if not to destroy, the
best sympath;es of humanity But if those ex'
perimeuts. and especially their minute publicity.
were hardly defensible, when 81 important good
vas aimed at. what shall we say OF these phre-
biological butcheries for the sake of gratifying
foolish curiosity respecting the functions OF pecu-
liar portions OF the brain:
The 10th experiment." we are told, "con-
sisted iu the entire removal OF the cerebral lobes
frum one pigeon, the removal OF the cortcal
substance from the convex surface OF the brain OF
a second, and the removal OF the anterior part
Of the central hemispheres OF third. In the
first the operation was performed gradually. one
lobe being first removed. In this stage It pre-
served ali its intelligence; not recognizing OBJ
iec,s, however, when presented to the eye on the
side opposite to that of the DESTROYED lobe. At
ter partially removing the other lobe. it walked
about, extending its wings, but without any de-
sign-both being completely removed. it remain
ed motionless Ii continued in the attitude
If sleep, and made no rational movement; but
when disturbed, as by placing it Ill an nconve-
niept position, it made automatic efforts to dis
engage itself aud resume its ordinary attitude.
1t did not digest, and frequently attempted to
vomit; it perfectly regulated the various motions
of which the act of vomiting consists; 1t displays
no intelligence; it opens its eyes and shakes 1T
self when disturbed; II neither eats nor drinks
On examining the head after death, it was found
that The whole of the cerebral lubes, with the ex-
cpntion of thin shred, had been subtracted.-
It's evident that this pigeon had lost, with the
cerebral lobes, the faculty of recognizing exter-
ma, objects and the other intellectual powers
which originate in this knowledge: that 1t at the
same time performed many simple and compound
motions which do not depend on any such Know
led,e. and displaying no determined end or mo-
tive, We ought, consequently. to conclude,
that the brain is the seat of the different intelec-
final movers concerned in the knowledge Of ex-
tern,I objects. and that from it e,nanate those
acts of vol,tion necessary to the gra''lcation OF
those wants and desires which are excited by
these objects"
Again:- r
Experiment XvIT.-A hen was deprived OF
the anterior part of the brain. The phenomena
exhibited we're precisely the same as in former
instances. with the following more striking par
ticIlars--it did not recognize another hen, tor
merly its companion, nor follow 1t as before the
operatipn: il frequently left its equilibrium. and
fell from its perch: it walked hut without object,
and destitute of it's former cunning; II did not
avoid those who approached to seize 1t, although
II cried and struggled when seized; 1t fled when
n was struck: it did no: follow the flock of fowls
to which it belonged. and when attacked oy ano-
Their hen, did not comprehend the signs OF anger
she DISPLAYED. but neither lied nor defended itse'
il sought for corners, and tried to escape by eve
nv opening that offered. On one occasion it rain,
ed violently; it sought shelter. and when 1t found
place where the rain did not reach 1T. IT remain
ell there; but it was accident and rot intellect
that conducted tit did not, a pr'or'. Know that
this place sheltered, for before going there II
frequently took refuge where the rain tell IN tor
rents. What proves that it did not distinguish
between external objects that entering the kitch-
en-. il approached the FIRE. advanced upon the hot
iro . and did not retire until severelytburnt 1t
cnn,Iuaally rraversed the same space, following
In,.iv tbs circuit of the walls of the court some
times running as if dragged. stopping, again be-
motive than the instinct of moving and change
of place. When pursued, or struck with hand