THE PHYSIOGNOMICAL SYSTEM OF DRS. GALL & SPURZHEIM; FOUNDED ON AN ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IN GENERAL, AND OF THE BRAIN IN PARTICUALR; AND INDICATING THE DISPOSITIONS AND MANEFESTATIONS OF THE MIND - FOUNDERS OF PHRENOLOGY & NOTED CONTRIBUTORS TO ADVANCEMENT OF NUROSCIENCE
Book Details + Condition: Printed For Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy (London). First Edition, 1815. Hardcover with marbled boards and 3/4 leather binding. 581 pages, with 19 copper plate engravings. The book represents the first comprehensive work on the theory posing that certain areas of the brain control specific human behavioral and intellectual traits, which can be enhanced or diminished by the shape of the skull and other developmental factors (such as head injuries and disease). It provides a detailed atlas mapping and correlating areas of the brain to specific human traits. Originally termed Crainology by Dr. Gall, Dr. Spurzheim further developed the pseudoscience to encompass body and facial features, and created the term Phrenology. A firm and clean copy of a scarce work: wear to original boards and leather binding; leather missing from corner binding; boards appear to have been re-attached in the past, but remain firm; minor aging discoloration to endpapers; interior is clean and free of markings.
