History of circumcision from the earliest times to the present

Chapter XXVI (3)

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No scientific physiognomist could mistake this face for other than that of a physician, and an earnest and attentive one as well, as evidenced by the signs of "natural physician" in the cheek-bones, in the attitude of the head and neck, and by the thoughtful, observant expression of the eye. The combination of systems in this subject is such as is most frequently observed among physicians, viz., the supremacy of the osseous and brain systems. The muscular, thoracic, and vegetative powers all assist in this combination by their development. The signs for Conscience and Firmness are apparent. Love of Home and Patriotism rank high. Benevolence, Amativeness, Love of Young, Mirth, Approbation, Self-esteem, Modesty, Friendship, Alimentiveness, Sanativeness, Pneumativeness, and Color combine to form a lovely domestic and social nature. The form, size, and peculiarities of the nose claim attention. It is a nose denoting Constructiveness, Originality, and logical power. The signs for Hope, Analysis, Mental Imitation, Human Nature, Ideality, Sublimity, Construction, and Acquisition are strongly delineated. Self-will is normally developed, while Size, Form, Observation, Weight, Locality, Calculation, and Memory of various sorts are manifest. The signs of Language in the eye and mouth denote fluency, while the practical faculties, being dominant, would give clearness, perspicacity, and directness to his style of expression, either oral or written. Time, Order, Reason, and Intuition are well developed. The long-continued observation and experiments of this noble physician in his endeavor to protect humanity from the ravages of small-pox by his discovery of vaccination, met at last with a suitable recognition, for he received by a vote of Parliament the sum of L30,000, and special honors were awarded him. It is a singular fact that all of the benefactors of the human race--those who have benefited it by discoveries of any kind whatever--have met with the most violent opposition, treachery, and often disgrace, before they could make the world see the value of their discoveries. Such was the case with Dr. Jenner, but his firmness and truth at last gained the victory.]

The best _form_ for a surgeon who attempts the most severe operations is the round build of body and head, and many of them are of this shape. The muscular system should be supreme, with the brain system a close second, the bony and thoracic systems about equal and next in development.

The muscular tissue is _comparatively unfeeling_--insensitive;

_FAC-SIMILE PAGE FROM "STANTON'S PHYSIOGNOMY"--Reduced._

OTHER CLASSES OF SURGEONS" 1145

in the body. Form and Size are also requisite to aid the memory of the shape and relative position of each part, and to assist Locality. Human Nature is essential in order that he may be _en rapport_ with his patients, and also to enable him to _divine_ instinctively all bodily and mental states. He should be a good physiognomist, and be well versed in the _pathology_ of physiognomy. He must have large Observation, in order to take cognizance of the most minute changes and appearances. Calculation is a useful trait also, as it is required in many ways in the medication and treatment of the wounded, as in chemistry and in making surgical implements, etc. He should have large Friendship; in order to attach his patients to him and to command their esteem; enough Benevolence to sympathize, but not enough to weaken the feelings when severity is required. The faculty of Amativeness is necessary to _comprehend_ the nature of the opposite sex; Love of Young also, that he may inspire children with love and confidence.

The sense of Weight should be a strong one, for the muscular sense is dependent upon its power in order to _gauge_ the amount of force to be used in handling instruments and in bandaging wounds, limbs, etc. Executiveness is required to assist authority and give resistance. Self-will is another ally most necessary, as well as Analysis, Time, Order, and Reason. A fair share of musical ability is required to assist the ear in making examinations of the heart and lungs, and in auscultation for various other purposes. If to these faculties one adds large Intuition, he has a fine bodily and mental equipment for the practice of surgery.

OTHER CLASSES OF SURGEONS.

Many army surgeons are characterized by a round and broad form, with broad, rather low, and round heads; short, round arms, and round and tapering fingers. This build is the most suitable for those severe operations which require the greatest exhibition of force, endurance, and coolness; another class of surgeons--those who undertake the more delicate and less forceful operations--are characterized by about an equal development of the brain and muscular systems. This class of surgeons tend naturally to the treatment of those finer, less difficult, and more delicate cases of operative surgery, such, for example, as treatment of the ear, the eye, etc. This class of surgeons require a fine endowment of the brain and nervous system. In short, the muscles as well as nerves of this class must be sensitive to a great degree, and this combination calls for a fine and high organization.

The surgeon should be something of an actor in order to know when to be sympathetic and when to be severe. Yet he

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History of circumcision from the earliest times to the presentChapter XXVI (3)

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