192 EXPRESSION OF GRIEF: Chap. VII. 



The expression of low spirits, grief or dejection, due 

 to the contraction of this muscle has been noticed by 

 every one who has written on the subject. To say that 

 a person " is down in the mouth/' is synonymous with 

 saying that he is out of spirits. The depression of the 

 corners may often be seen, as already stated on the au- 

 thority of Dr. Crichton Browne and Mr. Nicol, with the 

 melancholic insane, and was well exhibited in some 

 photographs sent to me by the former gentleman, of 

 patients with a strong tendency to suicide. It has been 

 observed with men belonging to various races, namely 

 with Hindoos, the dark hill-tribes of India, Malays, and, 

 as the Rev. Mr. Hagenauer informs me, with the abo- 

 rigines of Australia. 



When infants scream they firmly contract the mus- 

 cles round their eyes, and this draws up the upper lip; 

 and as they have to keep their mouths widely open, the 

 depressor muscles running to the corners are likewise 

 brought into strong action. This generally, but not 

 invariably, causes a slight angular bend in the lower 

 lip on both sides, near the corners of the mouth. The 

 result of the upper and lower lip being thus acted on, 

 is that the mouth assumes a squarish outline. The con- 

 traction of the depressor muscle is best seen in infants 

 when not screaming violently, and especially just before 

 they begin, or when they cease to scream. Their little 

 faces then acquire an extremely piteous expression, as 

 I continually observed with my own infants between 

 the ages of about six weeks and two or three months. 

 Sometimes, when they are struggling against a crying- 

 fit, the outline of the mouth is curved in so exaggerated a 

 manner as to be like a horseshoe; and the expression of 

 misery then becomes a ludicrous caricature. 



The explanation of the contraction of this muscle, 

 under the influence of low spirits or dejection, appar- 



