The Brain as an Endocrine Organ Softcover Repri Edition Contributor(s): Cohen, Margo P. (Editor), Foa, Piero P. (Editor) |
|||
ISBN: 1461281180 ISBN-13: 9781461281184 Publisher: Springer
Binding Type: Paperback - See All Available Formats & Editions Published: September 2011 Click for more in this series: Endocrinology and Metabolism |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Medical | Endocrinology & Metabolism - Medical | Neuroscience - Medical | Gynecology & Obstetrics |
Dewey: 612.82 |
Series: Endocrinology and Metabolism |
Physical Information: 0.6" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" L (0.88 lbs) 269 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: In the middle of the 17th century, the great French philosopher Rene Descartes wrote (L'Homme, J. Le Gras, Paris, 1669) that a suitable stimulation of the brain results in two types of "movements": exterior movements, designed to seek desirable ends and to avoid undesirable or harmful ones and interior movements or "passions" which through the release of "animal spirits" regulate the heart, the liver, and other organs. When it appears appropriate to meet a threat with force, the passion of rage causes the release of strong spirits, whereas when avoidance appears to be the better choice, the passion of fear causes the brain to release weak spirits. We do not know what influence, if any, Descartes had on the thinking of Walter B. Cannon (Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage, Appleton and Co., New York, 1920), of Hans Selye (The Story of the Adaptation Syndrome, Acta, Inc., Montreal, 1952), ofG. W. Harris or of R. Guillemin (Hypothalamic-Hypophysial Interrelationships. A Sym- posium. c. c. Thomas, Springfield, 1956), but it is interesting to reflect upon the durable value of great ideas which constantly resurface even if modified by other ideas and by new techniques, as if propelled by a preordained intellectual imperative. |
Customer ReviewsSubmit your own review |
To tell a friend about this book, you must Sign In First! |