Fowler's Practical Phrenology (1850)

AUTHOR: Fowler, Orson Squire

This booklet explains the principles and vocabulary of phrenology, offering an account of the benefits and disadvantages of different kinds of food. Generally, Fowler recommends that one should “avoid animal food, tea, coffee, wines, porter, &c., the effect of which is highly irritating to the nerves” (22). He briefly explains some of the detrimental effects of stimulants like tobacco, coffee, tea, and alcohol, particularly if consumed at a young age (25-26), emphasizing

that animal food, by keeping the body in a highly excited, not to say feverish state, is calculated unduly to excite the animal organs, thereby withdrawing strength from the top and front of the brain, but imparting physical strength, and concentrating the energies of the system, thereby wearing it out the sooner; and also that vegetable food, by reducing the inflammation of the blood, and keeping the system cool; promotes clearness of thought, quietness of feeling, placidity of mind, and moral and elevated feeling; and develops the nervous temperament, thus producing a tendency to intellectual pursuits” (30).

Animal food enhances physical strength and stimulates physical action, even violence, while veg*ism supports intellectual and moral development. Hence, “[i]f you wish to distinguish yourself intellectually, you must regulate the quantity and quality of your food and drink in accordance with the established laws of physiology, or your wings of fame will be melted in the heat of animal indulgence” (30). Fowler is convinced that difference of diet explains difference of behavior and character, including in the animal realm and with respect to nationality and ethnicity: “Will not this principle explain the ferocity of beasts of prey; the mildness of the lamb and the dove; the blood-thirsty, revengeful spirit of the savage Indian; and the mild and pacific disposition of the Chinese and Hindoo” (30).