Phrenology - confrontation between Spurzheim and Gordon - 1816.
All the contemporary evidence suggests that Spurzheim was an extremely personable individual. Evidence from his correspondence suggests that his lectures and demonstrations were very popular and well attended, and geared specifically to the level of knowledge and understanding of his audience. He gave afternoon lectures that were popular with ladies and idle people, and more serious lectures in the evenings to professional and scientific gentlemen. He was less interested in the neuroanatomical basis of the science, as developed by Gall, being more interested in its general applicability in helping to improve the lot of the people. He gave his audiences what they wanted to hear. The scientific basis of the subject was plausible, and was not readily testable by the scientific methods available at the time.
Kaufman
M H
MH
Department of Anatomy, University of Edinburgh Medical School.
D000715:Anatomy / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D010792:Phrenology / Q000266:history*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014495:Universities / Q000266:history*