the savage snarl, the destructive disposition, the obscene language,
the wild howl, the offensive habits, displayed by some of the insane?
Why should a human being, deprived of his reason, ever become so brutal
in character, as some do, unless he has the brute nature within
him? [1012] This question must, as it would appear, he answered in the
affirmative.
_Anger, Indignation_. These states of the mind differ from rage only in
degree, and there is no marked distinction in their characteristic
signs. Under moderate anger the action of the heart is a little
increased, the colour heightened, and the eyes become bright. The
respiration is likewise a little hurried; and as all the muscles
serving for this function act in association, the wings of the nostrils
are somewhat raised to allow of a free indraught of air; and this is a
highly characteristic sign of indignation. The mouth is commonly
compressed, and there is almost always a frown on the brow. Instead of
the frantic gestures of extreme rage, an indignant man unconsciously
throws himself into an attitude ready for attacking or striking his
enemy, whom he will perhaps scan from head to foot in defiance. He
carries his head erect, with his chest well expanded, and the feet
planted firmly on the ground. He holds his arms in various positions,
with one or both elbows squared, or with the arms rigidly suspended by
his sides. With Europeans the fists are commonly clenched.[1013] The
figures 1 and 2 in Plate VI. are fairly good representations of men
simulating indignation. Any one may see in a mirror, if he will vividly
imagine that he has been insulted and demands an explanation in an
angry tone of voice, that he suddenly and unconsciously throws himself
into some such attitude.
Anger and Indignation. Plate VI
Rage, anger, and indignation are exhibited in nearly the same manner
throughout the world; and the following descriptions may be worth
giving as evidence of this, and as illustrations of some of the
foregoing remarks. There is, however, an exception with respect to
clenching the fists, which seems confined chiefly to the men who fight
with their fists. With the Australians only one of my informants has
seen the fists clenched. All agree about the body being held erect; and
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