684 FUNCTIONS OF THE CEREBRO -SPINAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



of the Cerebellum, the Medulla Oblongata is almost certain to be implicated 

 in it ; so that, as the evidence already referred to clearly indicates the exist- 

 ence of a special relation between the genital organs and the upper part of 

 the Spinal Axis, no positive proof is afforded by them that any portion of 

 the Cerebellum has any special connection with the generative function. 



555. The Author is far from denying in toto, that any peculiar connection 

 exists between the Cerebellum and the Genital system ; but if the evidence 

 at present adduced in support of the Phrenological position be held sufficient 

 to establish it, in defiance of so many opposing considerations, we must bid 

 adieu to all safe reasoning in Physiology. The weight of testimony appears 

 to him to be quite decided, in regard to the connection of the Cerebellum 

 with the regulation of the motor function ; and as an additional argument in 

 favor of this view, it may be stated, that the lobes of the Human Cerebel- 

 lum undergo their most rapid development during the first few years of life, 

 when a large number of complex voluntary movements are being learned 

 by experience, and are being associated by means of the muscular sensa- 

 tions accompanying them; whilst in those animals which have, immediately 

 after birth, the power of regulating their voluntary movements for definite 

 objects, with the greatest precision, the Cerebellum is more fully developed 

 at the time of birth. In both instances it is well formed and in active oper- 

 ation (so far as can be judged of by the amount of circulation through it), 

 long before the sexual instinct manifests itself in any perceptible degree. 

 But neither doctrine need be maintained altogether to the exclusion of the 

 other ; and there are many among the Phrenologists of the present day, who 

 hold, with Serres, that whilst the hemispheres of the Cerebellum possess the 

 endowments now generally assigned to them by Physiologists, the centra? 

 lobe is connected with the Genital function. It has been shown by Dr. N. 

 S. Davis, 1 however, that there is no perceptible difference in the dimensions 

 of this central lobe, any more than in those of the hemispheres, between 

 Bulls and Oxen ; and no proof has yet been offered, save that afforded by 

 the pathological evidence just referred to, that any such endowment is pos- 

 sessed by it. That in some way or other, however, either the central portion 

 of the Cerebellum, or some part of the Medulla Oblongata, has a special 

 connection with the Generative function, appears to the Author to be indi- 

 cated with tolerable clearness by several of the Pathological phenomena 

 already cited. The circumstance, too, of which he has frequently been as- 

 sured, that great application to gymnastic exercises diminishes for a time 

 the sexual vigor, and even totally suspends desire, seems worthy of consid- 

 eration in reference to such a view; for if the Cerebellum be really connected 

 with both kinds of function, it does not seem unreasonable that the exces- 

 sive employment of it upon one should diminish its energy in regard to the 

 other. An analysis of the nature of the Sexual propensity, however, sug- 

 gests the conclusion that we are not to look in this part of the Encephalon 

 for anything else than a seat of the sexual xcitwttioti ; the character of which 

 seems to be sufficiently different from that of mere itu-lilc sensation, to require 

 a distinct gangliouic centre. Such a centre would be likely to be placed in 

 the line of the other sensory ganglia, and in close connection with them. 



55(5. As in the case of other sensations, the Sexual, when moderately ex- 

 cited, may give rise to ideas, emotions, and desires, of which the Cerebrum 

 is the seat; and these may react on the muscular system through the Intelli- 

 gence and Will. But when inordinately excited, or when not kept in re- 

 straint by the Will, the sexual sensations will at once call into play respon- 

 dent movements which are then to be regarded as purely automatic; this is 



1 Transactions oPAmericun Medical Association, vol. iii, p. 415. 



