While the basilar region behind the ear operates upon the posterior part of the trunk, that portion in front of the ear operates more anteriorly, affecting the viscera, in which there is no muscular vigor, and the tendency of which is toward indolence. Thus the vertical line separates the indolent from the energetic basilar functions, and all the enfeebling, sensitive, morbid faculties that impair our energies are in the anterior basilar region.
The normal action of these organs, however, is necessary to life, and sustains the visceral system in the reception of food and expulsion of waste. But as it is the region of sensibility to all influences, it renders us liable to all derangements of body and mind, unless we are strongly fortified by our occipital strength. The tendency to bodily disorder has been explained by reference to the organs of Disease and Health. Insanity, or derangement of the mind and nervous system, belongs to a basilar and anterior location, which we reach through the junction of the neck and jaw (marked Ins.). It is more interior, but not lower than Disease, in the brain. Its antagonism is above on the temporal arch, between the lateral and upper surfaces of the brain, marked San. for Sanity. It gives a mental firmness which resists disturbing influences.
The coronal region or upper surface of the brain has the opposite influence to that of the basilar organs in all respects, withdrawing the nervous energy from the body, tranquillizing its excitements, and attracting all vital energy to the brain, especially in its upper region. By sustaining the brain, which is the chief seat of life, and by restraining the passions, the coronal region is more beneficial to health and longevity than any other portion. In the posterior part it not only has this happy effect, but by sustaining the occipital half of the brain, gives a normal and healthy energy to all the powers of life. Such is the influence of the group of organs in which Health is the centre.
It is obvious, therefore, that the study of the brain reveals laws which give us the strongest inducement to an honorable life as the only road to success and happiness.
To show the facility with which organs may be located upon general principles, I present herewith the locations actually made by a small class of pupils when I first proposed to have them determine locations according to the general laws of organology. None of these locations would be called erroneous, the most incorrect of all being Adhesiveness, located a little too high. They are Be. Benevolence, Ac. Acquisitiveness, Phi. Philanthropy, Des. Destructiveness, Lo. Love, Ha. Hate, Hu. Humor, Mod. Modesty, Os. Ostentation, Con. Conscientiousness, Ba. Baseness, Pa. Patience, Irr. Irritability, For. Fortitude, Al. Alimentiveness, Her. Heroism, Sen. Sensibility, Hea. Health, Dis. Disease, Ad. Adhesiveness, Co. Combativeness, Ar. Arrogance, Rev. Reverence, Ca. Cautiousness, Ra. Rashness.
The suggestion cannot be too often repeated that the nomenclature of cerebral organology can never adequately express the functions of the organs. The brain has in all its organs physiological and psychic powers, which no one word can ever express fully. Sometimes a good psychic term, such as Firmness, suggests to the intelligent mind a corresponding influence on the physiological constitution, but in the present state of mental science the conception of such a correspondence is very vague.
Moreover, even the psychic functions are not adequately represented by the words already coined in the English language for other purposes, and I do not think it expedient at present to coin new terms which would embarrass the student. The word Sanity, for example, answers its purpose by signifying a mental condition so firm and substantial as to defy the depressing and disturbing influences that derange the mind. It produces not the mere negative state, or absence of insanity, but a positive firmness, and self-control, which is the interior expression of firmness. The cheerful, stable, manly, and well-regulated character which it produces, disciplines alike the intellect and the emotions, and shows itself in children by an early maturity of character and deportment, and freedom from childish folly and passion.
If a new word should be introduced to express this function, the Greek word Sophrosyne would be a very good one, as it signifies a self-controlled and reasonable nature. The verb Andriso, signifying to render hardy, manly, strong, to display vigor, and make a manly effort of self-control, would be equally appropriate in the adjective form, Andrikos, and still more in the noun Andria, which signifies manhood or manly sentiments and conduct. It would not, however, be preferable to the English word, Manliness, which is as appropriate a term as Sanity or Andria.