Buchanan's Journal of Man, February 1887: Volume 1, Number 1

In Short

This volume acts as the inaugural re-establishment of a nineteenth-century periodical dedicated to "Anthropology," a self-styled science that sought to map the relationship between the brain, the body, and the soul. By blending phrenology, psychometry, and social critique, the publication argues for a radical, holistic understanding of human nature. It serves both as an intellectual platform and a directory for alternative therapeutic practices, reflecting a unique historical moment where the boundaries of "legitimate" science were being aggressively contested by visionary, if often eccentric, proponents of moral and social evolution.

The Story

The narrative arc of the journal is one of ambitious intellectual conquest, beginning with a bold "Salutatory" address. The editor invites the reader to step away from the "shallow pedantry" of traditional universities and into a world where science is not merely a method of calculation, but a guide for the elevation of the human race. The central argument posits that modern civilization is suffering from a "succession of blunders and calamities" because it lacks a true understanding of man’s fundamental nature. To correct this, the journal champions the science of Anthropology, which it defines as a total portrait of life—anatomical, physiological, and psychological.

From this opening, the text moves into an expansive critique of the status quo. It revisits the work of Dr. Gall, the pioneer of phrenology, arguing that while the medical establishment has unfairly discarded his discoveries, they remain the bedrock of a proper understanding of the mind. The journal does not stop at cranial anatomy, however; it broadens its scope to include the "Great Land Question," advocating for land reform and the end of landlordism. It highlights the Sinaloa colony in Mexico as a practical, co-operative experiment in social order, hoping to prove that human character can be shaped by environment and "the power of love" rather than competitive greed.

As the argument progresses, the journal pivots toward the miraculous and the metaphysical. It discusses the "spiritual power" behind extreme fasting, citing cases where human will, aided by spirit intervention, overcomes physical limitations. It touches upon music as a therapeutic tool for the insane and explores curiosities like "human tails" and tree-dwelling tribes, using these disparate topics to weave a tapestry of a world that is, to the author, far more mysterious and susceptible to scientific investigation than mainstream academia is willing to admit.

The journal concludes by positioning itself as an essential guardian for the future. It advertises its own educational arm, the "College of Therapeutics," and promotes a specific, proprietary science called "Sarcognomy"—the anatomy of the vital forces of the body—as the true foundation for medicine. The ending is not a resolution of a story, but a call to arms for the "enlightened few." It suggests that by mastering these new sciences, humanity can eventually transform the earth into the "likeness of heaven." The final pages serve as a marketplace for these ideas, directing readers to further books, correspondence courses, and like-minded publications, cementing the journal's role as a nexus for a community of believers in this new, secular, and quasi-spiritual enlightenment.

How It Unfolds

The call to enlightenment The opening manifesto demands a departure from the "rubbish" of traditional metaphysical thought. It establishes the journal as the herald of a new, practical science that will replace obsolete educational systems.

The defense of phrenology The text launches a defense of Dr. Gall’s cerebral theories, arguing that current medical colleges are blinded by prejudice. It attempts to harmonize these old observations with modern neurological discoveries to prove that the mind is physically localized.

The social and economic critique The focus shifts to the structural flaws of civilization, specifically land monopoly and the need for co-operative living. The Sinaloa colony is presented as a living laboratory where these new anthropological theories are put into practice.

The bridge to the supernatural The argument moves into the realm of spirit influence, using the example of fasting as evidence of forces beyond the reach of conventional medicine. It insists that the "science of psychometry" offers the key to understanding phenomena that standard universities refuse to study.

The educational and therapeutic mission The final section transitions from theory to application, promoting the author’s own college and medical systems. It concludes with a directory of associated publications and services, framing the entire movement as a comprehensive, life-altering enterprise for the reader.

The People

Joseph Rodes Buchanan, the primary voice of the journal, emerges as a polymath and an outsider. He is a physician who views himself as a pioneer of "neurology" and an educator who believes he has uncovered the "wisdom of heaven." He wants to reform the medical profession and human society simultaneously, but he finds himself constantly obstructed by the "medical orthodoxy" and the "shallow pedantry" of university faculties. He ends the volume as he begins: a staunch, uncompromising advocate for his own unique system of thought.

Dr. Gall serves as the intellectual forefather of the journal. Though long dead by the time of publication, his presence is constant. He represents the "pioneer in science" whose fame was unfairly eclipsed by medical colleges. His life and work are held up as the gold standard for what a true scientist should be, serving as a martyr figure for the journal's cause.

Dr. Tanner appears as a practical demonstration of the journal’s philosophy. He is a man who achieves the extraordinary through fasting, an act the author insists was sustained by "Indian spirits." Tanner is a victim of the "brutal prejudice" of modern doctors, providing Buchanan with a perfect example of how the mainstream scientific community suppresses truth.

Finally, there is the "Kind reader," the target of the author’s mission. This reader is assumed to be an "enlightened" seeker of truth, someone whose intuition outweighs their formal education. They are the potential student, the customer for the journal's books, and the future convert to the new anthropology.

In Its Own Voice

"It represents an entirely new school of thought, based upon the establishment of the new science of ANTHROPOLOGY, which is a revelation of the anatomical, physiological, and psychic union of soul, brain, and body, and a complete portrait of man and the laws of his life."

The author defines the scope and mission of the journal's overarching scientific project.

"The realm of opinion is ever in chaos."

This statement sets the stage for the journal's critique of the intellectual confusion rampant in nineteenth-century society.

"Kind reader! Let me presume that you are in search of truth, and that you have an intuition sufficient to tell you that this unending search is the inspiring energy of the JOURNAL OF MAN."

The editor addresses the reader directly, defining the spirit in which the publication is meant to be engaged.

What It's Really About

The journal is fundamentally an argument for the unification of knowledge. It proposes that the divide between the physical (anatomy) and the spiritual (psychology/religion) is a false dichotomy created by flawed educational institutions. It asks: Can human happiness be engineered through a scientific understanding of the brain? The text is obsessed with the idea that there is a "divine law" encoded in our physical structure, and that if we could only decode this structure—through phrenology, sarcognomy, or psychometry—we could solve the problems of poverty, insanity, and societal conflict. It is a work rooted in the belief that the universe is governed by laws that are waiting to be mastered by those with the courage to abandon traditional, "obsolete" modes of thinking.

Why Read It Today

Readers with a fascination for the history of ideas will find this journal compelling. It offers a rare, unfiltered window into the "crank" science of the late nineteenth century—a movement that was, at the time, deeply influential and intellectually rigorous in its own internal logic. You will experience the frustration of an outsider challenging the establishment, and the earnest, if sometimes bizarre, optimism of a thinker who truly believed he could "change earth into the likeness of heaven."

The writing is energetic and confident, though the reader should be prepared for the dense, polemical tone of the period. The text is not a light read; it is saturated with the vocabulary of a bygone medical era, and its reliance on phrenology and discredited theories of race and character may be difficult for modern audiences to navigate. However, it is an essential read for those interested in the history of psychology and the long, winding path of human attempts to understand the mind. It lingers in the memory as a reminder of how quickly "settled science" can be overturned, and how often the pioneers of new thought feel the sting of rejection by the gatekeepers of their time.