Osler's brain and related mental matters.
Interest in the relationship between the morphology of the brain and mental and behavioral characteristics was evident in the 18th century; it flourished in the 19th century and waned during this century. This concern has been expressed in several activities. The weight and cortical area and gyral patterns of brains have been measured in detail in prominent and highly intelligent individuals, such as William Osler, Thomas Browne, and Albert Einstein, as well as in "average" individuals and in criminals. Phrenology is based on the assumption that various modalities of behavior are localized to specific morphologic areas of the brain. Little credence is now given to the mental, behavioral, and psychosocial significance of brain weight and gyral patterns. Practices based on such concepts are now considered by most to be a manifestation of quackery, though phrenology is still believed in by some.
Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45401.
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D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D002170:Canada; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000266:history; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010792:Phrenology / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States