“Not in all particulars. This,” holding up the broader of the two, “is the skull of Andrew J. McCannon, executed in Mississippi, more than forty years ago, for the murder of the Adock family, two adults and three children. It is a case of moral idiocy more pronounced than Anschlag’s.”
“What distinction do you make, Professor, in the case of Anschlag or this murderer, and a case of total idiocy such as we all recognize?”
“The difference is partly in degree, and partly in the fact that a man may be idiotic in one faculty and have all or a majority of the other faculties in the mind in good working order. Cases of color-blindness furnish a familiar example. Color-blindness is not a defect of the eye, but a defect of the brain. In other words, the party is destitute of the sense of color, and it may be readily detected by a deficiency of brain just above the eye.
“This head of McCannon shows a good development of the base of the brain, giving fine energies and observation, but the entire upper story is taken away. Anschlag, on the other hand, shows a good development in front of the ears, sufficient memory, sympathy and observation to display more than average intelligence on some points. The organs in the back part of the crown and the occipital region generally, are almost destitute of power, and render him incapable of comprehending social relations, his duties towards others, or the consequences of his acts. He can not form a correct judgment in regard to the rights of property, and if he wanted anything he would steal it, without giving a thought to the question of right or wrong. If he were questioned whether it were right or wrong to steal or murder, he would answer ‘wrong,’ because he has heard others say it was wrong, and he answers from memory alone. If the question could be left entirely to his own judgment, he would be as absolutely incapable of solving it as a man who is color-blind would be incapable of distinguishing shades of color.”
“If Anschlag’s head was as deficient in all points as he is in the region behind the ears, what would be the result?” inquired the reporter.
“It would be much the same as this,” replied the phrenologist, producing a cast of the head of an adult idiot “destitute of all resemblance to the head of a human being, and showing a short development of brain fiber at all points. It is a noteworthy fact that the most revolting crimes are generally committed by the insane and the morally idiotic because their condition renders them incapable of understanding the moral side of the question. A single life or a dozen lives which stand in the way of their accomplishing a purpose, are regarded by them as simply so many obstacles to be overcome, and if, as in Anschlag’s case, the organs giving conscientiousness and fear of consequences are weak, they will not hesitate to destroy life to carry out a design.”
“Do you consider Anschlag insane within the meaning of the law as to responsibility for crime?”
“He is idiotic in the particulars mentioned, and is incapable of exercising moral responsibility in any case. He is likely to commit homicide upon any occasion which may seem to him to be expedient. I would not hold him responsible more than I would hold a horse, dog, or any other animal incapable of correct reason.”
“Where, then, would you fix the responsibility for the murder of the victims?”
“Upon Anschlag’s parents and ancestors generally, and upon the condition of society which permits marriages and sexual conditions in parents which can not bring about other than deplorable results. Anschlag’s condition is the result of ignorant violation of natural law on the part of his ancestors, dating back for generations. Much could have been done for him by a proper education. That it was not done is merely another unfortunate link in a melancholy chain of calamities.”