BRAIN CULTURE.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 12 September 1877, Page 3

BRAIN CULTURE.

In a sensible and sound lecture on this all important subject, delivered before the Bradford Philosophical Society, Dr Crich ton Browne (reports the Lancet) gave prominence to the intimate relations of food and brainwork, inculcating a view which it is of daily increasing concern the profession and the public should not overlook. Citing Professor Claugliton's familiar comparison of the relative strength of the leopard and the deer — the vegetablefeeder exhibiting greater power of endurance, the flesh-eater a reserve of force nioi'e rapidly liberated for a rush, Dr Chrichton Browne applied the principle elucidated to brain nutrition. He showed that a too-high ly nitrogenous diet will induce a tendency to explosive force, or irritability. The habit of eating excessive quantities of animal food, particularly m cases where the individual is exposed to many and frequent causes of irritation, was condemned, and the wisdom of treating " minor degrees of brain irritability by a reduction of the butcher's bill " suggested. This is a matter of strong practical interest. The soundness of the policy recommended lias been attested, by direct experiment. Dr Crichton Browne directs attention to the increasiag number of persons met muttering and gesticulating to themselves m the streets. This he regards as an ominous sign, betokening an increased tendency to " irritability of brain-tissue, &nd a. loss of inhibitory power." The power of inhibition, itnS lying restraint and. control, is, unoubtedly the conservative and healthpreserving faculty, besides Which it gives the steadiness of reserve to character and action. The practical consideration thus again pressed on public attention deserves higher consideration than it has received. . Further inquiry is needed as to the precise relations of food and brain-force. Pending the result of deeper research, experiment and reason combine 1 to show the need of restraint m the use of animal food where sustained intellectual Work is required, rather than explosive mental effort.