TEMPERAMENTS. 313 



in comparison: thus, the figure has the deceptive appearance of a 

 superabundant nutrition. This is a one-sided nutrition, the appropri- 

 ation of fatty material to the neglect of the solid, motor machinery of 

 brawn and muscles. 



The mental traits seem to take direction and tone from the bodily 

 characteristics. The passions move slowly and are easily kept under 

 control, in marked contrast to those of the sanguine man who has 

 no more control than is sufficient to keep him within the not too 

 narrow limits of the social barriers. From the moderate emotional 

 development there is little need of energetic will-power. Where the 

 moral qualities have any chance of growth and exercise they are 

 always "good people," orthodox, and conservative. The mind acts 

 slowly, but is very retentive, logical and sound in its conclusions. 

 They are persistent in their undertakings, honorable in their affairs 

 with other men ; commonplace and common-sense govern them in 

 their daily life. They are apt to be dull companions, but constant 

 and steadfast friends. 



This temperament is found in its most perfect form among men ; 

 women rarely show it uncrossed, especially as it easily blends with 

 other temperaments. There is no doubt but in this type there are in- 

 herent defects of histological structure. Dr. Southey says it is due to 

 a too exuberant vegetative cell-life. Whatever may be the radical 

 cause, persons of this type are weak in vital energy, and short-lived. 

 They are the usual subjects of structural changes, such as scrofula, 

 phthisis, and articular rheumatism, and in whom these morbid pro- 

 cesses show the largest ratio of mortality. It will be noticed that 

 these are diseases with a marked hereditary force. It would be inter- 

 esting to study how much of this heredity exists in the morbid processes, 

 or in the temperament itself, which offers a fair field for their onset. 



Nature exerts herself in a more eccentric manner in the nervous 

 temperament. Here we find greater variety in the physical signs, and 

 diversity in the mental traits. Typical instances of the nervous tem- 

 perament are not good specimens anatomically. In stature they are 

 below the average, the bones small and lightly covered with flesh in 

 both sexes up to middle life. The head is large and covered with not 

 over-abundant dark-brown or black hair; the eyes are dark, the skin 

 dark, sallow, and pale ; pigmentation of the skin is more abundant 

 than in any other temperament, while the cuticle is hot, dry, and firm. 

 The muscles are small and compact. Persons of this temperament 

 are capable of sudden outlays of great strength, but the muscles do 

 not work in harmony, the movements being oftentimes irregular. 

 The want of nervous coordination is a marked trait, and tells upon 

 their efficiency in any occupation requiring trained and accurate 

 touch. Dr. Southey explains this by what he calls cerebro-central 

 preoccnpation, which means that the brain and spinal cord are slow 

 in receiving and responding to the wants of different and remote 



