The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1880-06-10
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS TO
THE FIRsTLEcTURE ON THE
. HUMAN SKULL.
BIZ PROF. II. IN. BROCK, N. b.

BY PROF. II. W. BROCK, N. p.
PRoF. H. w. Brock, NJ. D.
Sy::At a meeting Of the Anatomy
Class Of the West Virginia University held
May ~, $780, the following resolution
was unanimously adopted:
Resolaga, That we earnestly solicit our
esteemed andrespected preceptor. Dr. HI
w Brock, tofurnish us with copy of his
prelude to his first lecture on the Human
Skull, for publication inthe UNIVERSITY
DAlLY. A. F.sCQURTNEY.
THos E. HoDGEs, Pres't.
Secy.
MEssRs A. F. COURTNEY AND THos. E.
HoDGEs -
Gentlemen Your communication Of
18th inst. accompanied with copy Of
the resolution, unanimously adopted by
the class in Anatomy. Physiology and Hy-
giene, requesting for publication in the
University Daily, copy of my prefa-
tory remarks to my lectures on the anato7
my of the human skull, is received.
The remarks made on the occasion re-
ferred to were designed only for the class
room and were not committed to writing !;
but, as nearly as lean recall them, shall
l.eheerfully comply with your request and
place them at your disposal. 4.
Very respectfully,
II. w. BROCK.
The remarks were, in substance, as fol.
lows 80
To day, young gentlemen, we enter up
on the study Of the anatomy Of the skull.
/ never approach the presence Of a.
dead body but with feelings Of awe
and reverence, Particularly does this
feeling possess me when / take into my
hands, as now do, a humanSstull.
When think of the struggles between
the right and the wrong !; of hesconflicts
between the intellectual and the sensual;
of the victories and defeats; Of the firm
resolves and broken VOWS; Of the high as
pirations and baser groveings; Of the,
impulses to noble and generous deeds. and
the promptings to selfish and ignoble acts !;
Of the approvings Of conscience, and its
cory lashings;; Of the pleasing memories
and painful recollections; Of the bright
anticipations and bitter disappointments
of the hopes and fears; Of the joys and
sorrows and Of the loves and hates all
Of which have been experienced within
these Walls-I ponder, and involuntarily
inquire, where is now the spirit that once
possessed this earthly tabernacle as its
dwelling place. That spirit which once
looked out through these orbits upon the
same beautiful world that we, today, be-
hold7 That. through these nasal fosse.
received the perfume Of fragrant flowers
and detected noxious odors with the same
degree Of acuteness that we do; that
through the nerves distributed along this
palate. recognized and enjoyed the favors
I of delicious food rejecting the hurtful as
we. do; that through these auditory ca
nails, listened to the concord Of sweet
sounds. to kindly words Of admonition, Of
sympathy and encouragement as we do;
that, through the medium of the vascular
brain substance which lay beneath this
vault, perceived and converted nervous
impressions into conscious sensations !;
that through the same medium, recog
nized, recorded, compared and reasoned
upon facts communicated through the
senses and after having deduced its con-
olusions and matured its decisions, sent
| forth from thence the edicts ofits own will,
executing and enforcing its behests
through all the agencies placed blythe
laws Of mind and matter within its power9
/ pause for reply but there is neither
voice nor any TO answer. The Osatyzaf
lies before US for investigation, the ash,fa-
1e75aIis elsewherel
Viewed ii all these relations, the hui