"Now in order to restore the Fibres of the Brain under the Melancholy Madness, and recover the Mind from those most gloomy, dejecting Circumstances, to which it is chain'd during the Force of this Disease, we must endeavour to bring their Machinulae into closer Contacts with each other; that is, resore their Springyness, or contracitle Powers, whereby the Ideas of sensible Objects may strike the Emporium of the Brain, or Seat of the Mind, with a regular Impulse; and in order to effect these several Intentions, it will be necessary to prescribe all manner of Remedies that may communicate a Stimulus to the Solids."

— Robinson, Nicholas (c.1697-1775)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for A. Bettesworth
Date
1729
Metaphor
"Now in order to restore the Fibres of the Brain under the Melancholy Madness, and recover the Mind from those most gloomy, dejecting Circumstances, to which it is chain'd during the Force of this Disease, we must endeavour to bring their Machinulae into closer Contacts with each other; that is, resore their Springyness, or contracitle Powers, whereby the Ideas of sensible Objects may strike the Emporium of the Brain, or Seat of the Mind, with a regular Impulse; and in order to effect these several Intentions, it will be necessary to prescribe all manner of Remedies that may communicate a Stimulus to the Solids."
Metaphor in Context
Now in order to restore the Fibres of the Brain under the Melancholy Madness, and recover the Mind from those most gloomy, dejecting Circumstances, to which it is chain'd during the Force of [end page 393] this Disease, we must endeavour to bring their Machinulae into closer Contacts with each other; that is, resore their Springyness, or contracitle Powers, whereby the Ideas of sensible Objects may strike the Emporium of the Brain, or Seat of the Mind, with a regular Impulse; and in order to effect these several Intentions, it will be necessary to prescribe all manner of Remedies that may communicate a Stimulus to the Solids.
(p. 393-4)
Provenance
Searching "emporium" in ECCO
Citation
Nicholas Robinson. A new system of the spleen, vapours, and Hypochondriack Melancholy: wherein all the decays of the nerves, and lownesses of the spirits, are mechanically accounted for. To which is subjoin'd, A discourse upon the Nature, Cause, and Cure, of Melancholy, Madness, and Lunacy. With a particular dissertation on the Origine of the Passions; the Structure, Mechanism, and Modulation of the Nerves, necessary to produce Sensation in Animal Bodies. To which is prefix'd, A philosophical essay concerning the Principles of Thought, Sensation, and Reflection; and the Manner how those noble Endowments are disconcerted under the foregoing Diseases. By Nicholas Robinson, M.D. and of the College of Physicians, London. London : Printed [by Samuel Aris] for A. Bettesworth, W. Innys, and C. Rivington, 1729. <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
06/07/2010
Date of Review
05/26/2011

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.