New-York tribune., 1895-10-13
ROCKS ON PSYCHOLOGY.
THE GROWTH OF THE BRAIN.

The latest addition TO The Contemporary Sci
ence Series" edited by Havelock Ellis. is a book
on The Growth Of the Brain; STUDY OF the
Nervous System in Relation to Education
(Charles Scribner's Sons), by Professor Il. II.
Donaldson Of the University OF Chicago Inc
author has managed to pack into the compass
Of 3s5 small pages a very satisfactory account OF
the anatomy and physiology or the human her-
vous svstem with a suggestion here and there
NJ comparative study as well as some important
reflections in practical psychology. One valuable
lesson TO be drawn from the book relates to the
special training Of modern times. This specia
training and the restriction TO narrow occupa-
tion In life necessitate the use or particular 'ie-
ments Of the nervous system. The maj erect
which Is illustrated in cases OF aphasia, is note
worthy. Taking the phenomena OF aphasa III
reverse order. 1t can be shown that the notions in
the mind for which words are invented ana useu
are exceedingly complex. They do not present
themselves suddenly all complete In the BRAIN
but are built up by contributions from all sides
For example the notion Of a brass bell is built
I'm from its smell taste, temperature. weight
shane color and the sound 1t makes That is to
saw all the sensory nerve apparatus helps to
narfect the notion The study Of aphasic pa
t,ents adds Professor Donaldson, has brought
ont the fact that any one more Of the several
events involved In recognizing the bell by means
of the nrincpal senses and Of expressing this rec
ognition in the usual way by the written or
spoken word may drop out" Thus. If the pa
tjent merely sees brass bell he may be unable
10 recall the appropriate word. though II VIII
occur to him when the bell is rung, and so on
Now II Is obvious that where notion is only
partially built up. that is by contributions OF
only one or two favored senses. 1t is more easily
lost than If all have developed It equally. This is
really the condition In which the modern civilized
man. on reflection finds most of his knowledge.
MANY persons have a reading acquaintance with
whole groups OF languages. the sounds Of which
in ordinary conversation are unknown TO them.
Special training means partial upbuilding OF
knowledge in which only notions Of certain kinds
and these only In certain aspects are given TO the
mind The danger is evident. and It gives force
10 the argument for the broadest possible educa-
ton IN vouth-one which will enable men to hold
their knowledge by ali the power they have For
the danger is to a large extent unavoidable. The
condition Of race advancement is the subdivision
OF labor and the suppression of individual self
sufic!ency Biologically the savage is nearer than
tho civilized man to ideal manhood He Is ready
for all the emergencies OF life But it takes all
his time TO be ready, and there is for him no
chance of advancement. Professor Donaldson H.
hstrates the matter In another way He points
ont that II In any department OF learning the
beginner were required to work up the subject
from frst principles In every case. the process
,yould be benehcal to the worker from the mental
exerc,se that he would undergo; but the advance
ment In science, SO far as the race is concerned
would be measured simply by the longest life de-
voted TO study. Thus the dwarhng Of individual
,tv is an inexorable necessity Of civilized life. But
on the other hand. every precauton should be
taken that can be 10 reduce the danger OF this
nrocess 10 a minimum. This is only one OF the
practical suggestions TO be drawn from "A book
which is replete with hints and direct advice on
the subject OF education
The most interesting feature In Mental De-
yelopment in the Child and the Race" Macmillan
Coz by Professor James Mark Baldwin. OF
Princeton University. Is the study which he made
of his own children. two baby girls. who Will in
years 10 come probably view the book with feel
| ings somewhat mixed. Professor Baldwin is al
most a pioneer not IN the field OF infantile mental
| life but in the minute care which he took to
| eliminate causes OF error. He has little Of the