MySource:Jlanoux/The Phrenological journal and science of health

Vol 121

Google Books vol 121

vol 121, No. 11 (November 1908) pg. 374 CURRENT EXCHANGES. The "Phrenological Era," Bowerston, O[hio].— Contains a sketch of Prof. William McLuen, of Perry, Iowa, by the Editor; also an interesting article on "Inhabitiveness, or Love of Home and Country—Its Influence on Character," by Prof. George Markley.

[Bowerston, Ohio is the home of the school of phrenology. "Phrenological Era" was published there also. It appears that scattered copies exist in Ohio libraries, but I was unable to locate the 1908 issues.]

vol. 121, No. 12 (December 1908) pg. 408 The following names are on our Lecture Bureau list: ... Prof. William McLuen, Perry, la. ...

Vol 122

[William also appears on the Lecture Bureau list for all of 1909.]

Vol 123

Google Books vol 123

July 1910, pg. 229

Answer to Dr. W. H. Thompson

The following article has been forwarded to us by Mr. William McLuen in reply to a request in a recent issue of the Journal for remarks from our readers on Dr. W. H. Thomson's curious views concerning the two hemispheres of the brain:

Dear Editor Phrenological Joural—The product of the human brain that we call mind is one of the most variable, as it is, also, one of the most wonderful and interesting phenomena of nature. As with a musical instrument, its tones correspond with the material, construction and condition of its parts, and the dexterity or lack of skill in the operator. But here the comparison ends. Such an instrument is merely an inert composition of lifeless matter, motionless and soundless, except when operated on by a living organism, whereas the human brain is an active entity never at rest during life, except when the natural provision, Sleep, quiets its throbbing pulsations, or morbid conditions disturb its functions, which would be an injurious hindrance, rather than rest. But, aside from these exceptions, it is ever true, during existence, to its organic quality, culture and development. Doubtless, but a comparatively small proportion of people, especially of the more thoughtful and ambitious, are the fortunate possessors of a normal brain, unaffected, even in a general sense, in the performance of its natural functions by morbid conditions of other parts of the body. The legitimate functions of this complex organ—to which man owes his superiority to all else in animate nature—being in fact thus frequently disturbed, affords us a glimpse of its possibilities, under more favorable conditions. Hence this repository of Knowledge, when so injuriously affected, may prompt the emission of articulate sounds, as statements of fact, not in keeping with its inherent ability to discern, under more favorable conditions, and which clash with thoroughly established facts, and thus bring down upon themselves the censure of combative critics. And in this way a vast site of ill feeling is engendered that time and advanced reflection will dispel. The poor brain that prompts the emission of discordant expressions, irritating to others, may be struggling under the stress of disturbed digestion, or other morbid conditions of bodily functions, on the healthful action of which it is dependent in the exercise of its own functions and to whose morbid condition it tends to correspond by more or less bewildered ideas. A knowledge of Phrenology should make us more charitable in such cases. I venture to say it has had that effect upon the writer. Conclusions certainly as authentic were published more than thirty years ago, and accepted by many as final, that no natural divisions could be found in the brain after death to substantiate the claims of Phrenologists that the brain was composed of different organs or parts, corresponding to the different faculties of the mind. Yet this conclusion is now regarded by many more modern investigators as something like killing the goose that laid the golden egg in order to find more. The rapid chemical changes that follow the extinction of life, as is now known, soon obliterate any such demarkations as at least seem reasonable to suppose exist in the living subject and which no doubt future investigations will disclose. WILLIAM McLUEN.