300 THE REIGN OF LAW 



we find that the same stroke which paralyses the 

 movement of a limb, may paralyse, not less effec- 

 tually, all the powers of Reason, of Memory, and of 

 Will. And the Affections, — what becomes of them ? 

 These too, which seem so purely spiritual, we find 

 out to be dependent on material structure. Every 

 physician knows that a frequent consequence of 

 cerebral disease is a total change of character. 

 There is no symptom of insanity more common 

 than the growth of dislike and aversion to those 

 who, in health, had been the most loved on earth. 

 Change of every kind and degree in the charac- 

 ter and structure of Mind is the immediate result 

 of corresponding changes in the structure and 

 substance of the Brain. The pure may become 

 impure ; the loving may become malignant ; the 

 simple-minded may become suspicious ; the gener- 

 ous may become engrossed with self ; the strong- 

 minded may become imbecile, — the whole man 

 may be broken down, and may live for years 

 without consciousness and without emotion. How 

 painfully does the Brain sometimes indicate its 

 functions ! What is it in the aspect of Idiotcy, 

 in many of its forms, which we instantly recognise, 



