To James Crichton-Browne 12 April 1871
Down,
April 12, 1871.
My dear Sir
The great confusion of mind often accompanying intense blushing seems to me surprising, and I try in the enclosed MS. to throw a little light on this point.1 But am I right in believing that the confusion, &c. is greater than the causes which induce the blushing can alone account for? I am inclined to think that this is so. If you think there is nothing strange about the degree of confusion, or if you think my suggestion false, I will strike the whole out.2 Is it a recognised view with medical men (as I know nothing about the science) that there is some close sympathy between the cutaneous circulation of the face or head and the state of the brain? Is erysipelas a good instance?3 Lastly, and most important of all, if I retain the little discussion, have I given a fair abstract of your observations? I have not as yet wasted time in improving the style of the whole.
With cordial thanks | Yours very sincerely | Ch. Darwin
Footnotes
Bibliography
Correspondence: The correspondence of Charles Darwin. Edited by Frederick Burkhardt et al. 29 vols to date. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985–.
Expression: The expression of the emotions in man and animals. By Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 1872.
Summary
Discusses blushing. CD believes confusion of mind alone can account for it. Sends MS for JC-B’s comments and corrections.
Letter details
- Letter no.
- DCP-LETT-7678
- From
- Charles Robert Darwin
- To
- James Crichton-Browne
- Sent from
- Down
- Source of text
- DAR 143: 338
- Physical description
- C 1p
Please cite as
Darwin Correspondence Project, “Letter no. 7678,” accessed on 8 June 2023, https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/letter/?docId=letters/DCP-LETT-7678.xml
Also published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin, vol. 19