The Gavelyte, January 1910

The Gavelyte. VOL. IV. JANUARY 1910. NO. 11. Psychology Series--Number Two. W. R. M'CHES EY, PH. D. ENSATION . The lowest form of sensations is the organic or vital. Their organs are internal to the body; such as, the _ lu ngs, heart, liver, stomach, viscera, etc. The sensations of these organs in their normal condition are vague and indescribable. The ordinary heart-beat is a good example. But when these organs become diseased or are overtaxed, their sensations become acute and painful as in gastritis. The purpose of these st-1nsations is to indicate whether the vital organs are in a normal and healthful condition. The muscular sensations are next higher in rank. They are as vari ed as the number and complex processes of the muscles. They are exhibited in all movements of the body and even in its act ivities where no motion is ap– par~nt as in maintaining the erect posture of the neck and head. They are used in all movements of defense and every form of locomotion . The best ..xample is found in lifting. Close ly connected with the muscular sen, ations are the articular, or those perceived in movements of the joints. These are noticed in gymnaHic exe rci1'e3 and abnormally in articular rheumatism. The highest class of sensations is the special. They are so called be– cause they have external organs, like the eye and ear, etc., peculiarly _ adapted to receiving, modifying, and tra nsmitting their stimuli. All of these sensations, viz.; taste, smell, hearing, seeing, touch, except the last, are cephalic or situated in the head and have direct cornmunication with thP brain. Smell and taste are subjective because sensation ia predominant in them. Hea ring and seeing are objec tive because perception is predomi– ·nant in them. Touch is objective for the same rea~on. Th e orga n of sme ll is between the eyes in vaulted chambers above the no8trils. The delicate olfactory fibres ending in the mucous membrane pass thence through the bony plate of the no e into the brain and find their center temporal lobes immed iately behind the ti .sure of ,y lvius in the con-