ving a narrow, high head, may determine readily
enough upon a course of action, but he requires a longer period for its
completion than one whose head is both high and broad. Such a cerebral
conformation cannot accomplish its objects without enjoying regular
rest, and maintaining the best of habits. Breadth of this region of the
brain indicates ample resources of energy, both psychical and physical.
It denotes greater vigor of constitution, one that continually generates
volitive forces, and its persistency of purpose may be interpreted as
functional tenacity. Inflexibility of will and purpose impart their
tenacious qualities to every bodily function. The _will_ to recover is
often far more potent than medicine. We have often witnessed its power
in restraining the ravages of disease. The energetic faculties, located
at the upper and posterior part of the head, are the invigorating, or
_tonic_ elements of the constitution, imparting hardy, firm, steady, and
efficient influences, checking excess of secretion, repressing
dissipation, and tending to maintain self-possession, as well as healthy
conditions of life. Fig. 90 is a portrait of U.S. Grant, which shows a
well-balanced organization, with sufficient volitive elements to
characterize the constitution.

[Illustration: Fig. 90.]

The old term _bilious temperament_ might possibly be retained in
deference to long usage, did it not inculcate a radical error. _Bilious_
is strictly a medical term, relating to bile, or to derangements
produced by it, and it was used originally to distinguish a temperament
supposed to be characterized by a predominance of the biliary secretion.
In the volitive temperament, the firm, tenacious, toning, and
restraining faculties _repress_, rather than _encourage_ biliary
secretion, and hence the necessity for administering large doses of
cholagogues, remedies which stimulate the secretion of bile. When the
system is surcharged with bile, from a congested condition of the liver,
we use these agents in order to obtain necessary relief. In this
temperament there is moderate hepatic development, lack of biliary
activity, deficiency in the secretion of bile, and a sluggish portal
circulation. Therefore, to apply the term bilious to this temperament is
not only unreasonable, but it is calculated to mislead. The condition of
the bowels is generally constipated, the skin dark and sometimes sallow.
For these and other obvious reasons, we dismiss the wor