A small head is the peculiar mark of a faulty configuration of the
brain, but a large is not necessarily a good one; for if occasioned by
the strength of the vital powers of the part fabricating an abundant and
proper material, it is a good sign; but if occasioned by the quantity
of matter alone, it is not good. We must judge of heads then from their
shape, and from the processes which arise from them: from their shape,
if well formed, for that is always a good sign; and from the processes
of the brain, if they be in their proper state, and if the nervous parts
be all properly nourished, have their suitable tone, and if the sight
be acute. Sharp heads are defective in the protuberance of the front or
hind-head, or else it is unnaturally increased. Now, in most cases we
shall find that these last, like the large, are faulty, and yet some of
them, though rarely, are good, the formative principle being strong.
* * * * *
COMMENTARY. This Section is taken from Oribasius (Synops. v, 45); Aëtius
(iv, 63); or direct from Galen (Ars Med. c. 6.)
Psellus, like our author, remarks, that a small head, by contracting
and binding, as it were, the brain, is necessarily a bad formation;
whilst a large head, if it arises from excess of the natural powers, is
good; but if it is occasioned by a collection of superfluous matter, the
contrary. We would refer, in this place, to the curious account of the
_Macrocephali_ given by Hippocrates in his treatise ‘On Airs,’ &c. (§
14), and to the interesting remarks in the same by M. Littré (t. iv, p.
xi.)