Cheyne, George (1671-1743)

The English Malady: or, a Treatise of Nervous Diseases of All Kinds

London

Printed for G. Strahan

1733

"That the Intelligent Principle, or Soul, resides in the brain, where all the Nerves, or Instruments of Sensation, terminate, like a Musician in a finely fram'd and well-tun'd Organ Case; that these Nerves are like Keys, which, being struck on or touch'd, convey the Sound and Harmony to this sentient Principle, or Musician."

These need only suppose, that the Human Body is a Machine of an infinite Number and Variety of different Channels and Pipes, fill'd with various and different Liquors and Fluids, perpetually running, glideing, or creeping forward, or returning backward, in a constant Circle, and sending out little Branches and Outlets, to moisten, nourish, and repair the Expences of Living. That the Intelligent Principle, or Soul, resides in the brain, where all the Nerves, or Instruments of Sensation, terminate, like a Musician in a finely fram'd and well-tun'd Organ Case; that these Nerves are like Keys, which, being struck on or touch'd, convey the Sound and Harmony to this sentient Principle, or Musician.
(pp. 4-5)

Music::Instrument::Organ-Case::Keys Music::Harmony Population::Musician

Reading at British Library. Also reading Mark Loveridge's Laurence Sterne and the Argument About Design London and Basingstoke: Macmillan Press, 1982). p. 100.

At least 8 entries in ESTC (1733, 1734, 1735).

See The English Malady: or, a Treatise of Nervous Diseases of All Kinds, As Spleen, Vapours, Lowness of Spirits, Hypochondriacal, and Hysterical Distempers, &c. In Three Parts. Part I. of the Nature and Cause of Nervous Distempers. Part II. of the Cure of Nervous Distempers. Part III. Variety of Cases That Illustrate and Confirm the Method of Cure. With the Author’s Own Case at Large. (London: Printed for G. Strahan in Cornhill, and J. Leake at Bath, 1733). <Link to ESTC>

06/06/2006