The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-08-19
From the Cincinnati Message of July IS.
Neurology.

S''""'', WI uCSudV eNculun last. w
were present, and with large audience
were interested in the lecturers eXposi.
tons. and much pleased with his manner.
The second lecture was delivered on
Thursday evening, and third and conclu-
ding one of the public course was, we
believe, delivered on Saturday evening
DIR. b. is forming private classes, for the
systematic study of the "sciencc."
Neurology DR.. Buchanan defines to be,
the Science of the Nerves. He claims
that there is nervous substance, more
subtle even than the magnetic or the cleo
trio fluid, but similar in character and op-
Grafton. That this substance flows readily
from one animal body to another, obedi-
ent to law of equilibrium, which pre-
walls here as in the natural UNIVERSE
That there are more or less ''imprcssiblc"
subjects-lhe latter being in general the
best operators, the former always the best
to operate upon. That the chronological
idea Of distinct and ascertaincd depart
ments or organs Of the brain is correct,
and demonstrabIy so. That the different
traits of any "impressibe" individuals
character can be excited TO unusual activi-
ty, or put into state ofaalmost complete
torpor, the latter by pressure, and the for
mer by such manipuIations as will dis
charge portion Of the nervous substance
or fluid from the fingers Of the operator 70
the organs sought 10 be excited. That
the phenomena presented are applicable
on philosophical principles; and that the
knowledge already obtained, by induction
from Systematically and well ascertained
facts, can be applied successfully to the
cure of discascs--such as nervous irrita-
biiity, head aches, tooth ache, neuralgia,
etc. etc. as well as made useful in explain
ing various physical and intellectual phe-
nomena.
Such is Q hasty and imperfect, bu, still,
VIC believe, correct account oil VIVA, DR..
Paehanan claims for Neurology-a sci
ss,cc, if such it may be called, which he is
himself building up. 1t is, to some con
siderable extent at least union of Phre-
uology and Animal Magnetism. And if
either or both of these things are not hmm
bugs, Neurology is all it claims to be, and
will in time be able, it seems to us, to de-
monstrate their truth. That they are hum
bugs we do not believe, though stroling
quacks have almost made them appear as
smell, and hence we have sufficient faith
in what is claimed for Neurology, TO III
duce us to believe it worthy Of inyestiga-
ZION.
DR.. Buchanan operated extensively in
Louisville the past winter, and, as we UNI
ders,aud from persons who were frequent
ly present, with astonishing results. lie
has excited the organ Of combatiyness, in
ladies of delicate structure and the gen,lest
disposition, to such degree that they
have made fierce battle upon him, and even
seized tongs or poker to drive their hus-
bands or friends from the room. lie has,
in other ladies' who were not only teeto-
tacrs, but who had no fondness for spl-
rits, excited the organ which governs a
love of strong drink, to such activity that
they have called out Justly for gin-sllng
or undiluted brandy. He has excited al
ternateiy, within the space of few mo-
ments. organs whose faculties are diane
,rically opposed to each other, and me
with corresponding results. He has pro
duced Joy and sorrow-loud laughter ant
proflsc wecpng-within the same min
ute, by manipulalions the most simple
And all this he claims to do, through ;
knowledge of the facts which he has col
lected from such experiments, and is com
bining philosophically into this system o
science Which he calls Neurology.
Now, man who can play thus upor
the human head, as if It were a harp or
piano, and strike out just such notes as h
pleases, is either possessed of supernatu
raj powers, or farther advanced in know
edge than his fellows. We do not choose
at this day, to put much faith in the super
natural, and are therefore inclined TO bt
leve that DR.. Buchanan has en,eled upo
region of truth which has not hither,
been much explored. Provided, howe
er as they say in acts Of Congress, thel
is not third horn TO this dilemma, ar
he be not an impos!or, or the subject of
monstrous delusion. His character, al
a,,ainments, forbid an idea Of the forme
If the latter be true, we should suppo
il would not be difficult to show it.