GESTURES. 



505 



In lesser degrees, Fig. 207. 



particular features 

 are found bearing, 

 or seeming to bear, 

 the impress of par- 

 ticular emotions; 

 and, accordingly, we 

 are in the daily habit 

 of forming opinions 

 at first sight, both of 

 the intellectual and 

 moral characteris- 

 tics of individuals, 

 by the expression of 

 the countenance. Of 

 course, we are fre- 

 quently led into er- 

 ror ; inasmuch as 

 habitual feelings 

 alone are indicated 

 by the physiognomy, 

 whilst the natural 

 disposition may be 

 of an opposite cha- 

 racter. The fallar 

 ciousness of this 

 mode of judging of 

 mankind has been 

 proverbial in all 

 times. Whenever 

 we attempt to decide upon a man's intellectual powers by the rules laid 

 down by Lavater we are constantly deceived; and, in this respect, he 

 has himself evidently fallen into gross errors. 



What may be, not inappropriately, styled "medical physiognomy," 

 or the changes of features indicative of, and peculiar to, different dis- 

 eases and stages of disease, is a subject of moment, and has not met 

 with sufficient attention. In diseases of infancy in particular, the ap- 

 pearance of the countenance often materially aids us in discriminating 

 their seat. There is a marked difference between the facial expression 

 of one labouring under violent pain in the head, and of one suffering 

 from excruciating pain in the abdomen, even in the adult. Less degrees 

 of pain are, of course, disregarded; and it is only in severe cases, that 

 physiognomy can be inservient to diagnosis; but in the infant, which 

 readily gives expression to pain or uneasiness, the countenance is an 

 excellent medium of discrimination, and frequently indicates, at the first 

 glance, the seat of the derangement. The character, too, of the coun- 

 tenance, in serious disease, as to anxiety, convulsion, &c., is often a 

 subject of watchful interest with the physician. 1 Mute expression is 



1 See, on special medical physiognomy, M. Jadelot, cited by M. de Salle, in Traite des 

 Maladies des Enfans de Michael Underwood, &c., p. 36 etseq.; and in the author's Com- 

 mentaries on Diseases of the Stomach and Bowels, p. vii., Lond., 1824. 



Physiognomy of Melancholy. (Sir Charles Bell.) 



