INTELLECTUAL POWER IN THE BRUTE. 
469 
Tbi Dimbiution, yet existence, of Intellectual Power in the 
Brute, —Then this cortical part—once more observe it, compare 
it. Forgive a little repetition here. How different its relative 
quantity, whether compared with the human brain, or those of 
various animals ! Once more observe it in the dog, the horse, 
the sheep, the ox—comparatively small in each—diminishing in 
each according to the evident proportion of intelligence. Small, 
we say, in each; for in their wild state the brutes have no concern, 
and no idea beyond their food and reproduction: in their domes¬ 
ticated state they are destined to be the servants of man. The 
acuteness of their senses, the preponderance of the animal 
power, qualify them for this service ; but were proportionate intel¬ 
lectual capacity added to this—were they made conscious of 
their strength, they would burst their bonds, and man would in 
his turn be the victim and the slave. Still, however, the cortical 
part is found in each ; prevailing in each as it would seem to be 
needed for our purpose that intelligence should be added to ani¬ 
mal power. In each the organization, the connexions, appear to 
be the same ; and the distinction in the intellectual—ay, and 
even the moral qualities in the biped and the quadruped, is in 
degree and not in kind—nay, it may so happen, that the one 
being advanced and improved by circumstances, and the other 
retarded or contaminated, there may be more difference between 
the cultivated and good man, and the savage and depraved one, 
than between the biped and the brute. 
Conclusion, —If we had time, I might trace in our patients the 
palpable existence of every mental faculty—attention, memory, 
association, imagination, judgment; and I might trace too, shall 
I say the germ, no, the full development of many a virtue— 
parental, filial, social affection—courage, fidelity, gratitude, dis¬ 
interestedness, and a consciousness of right and wrong. This 
would be a pleasing relief to our severer inquiries into anatomy 
and disease : it would reconcile us to our profession—it would 
teach us to admire and to love those whose medical guardians 
and friends we had undertaken to be—it would give that impel¬ 
ling principle, that aim and object, which would ensure our pro¬ 
fessional success. To this subject let your attention be often 
directed ; every day will afford you pleasing illustration of it, and 
the result will be, that your professional fame will be established 
on the only sure basis—science and humanity. 
3 
VOL. VI. 
