The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-05-10
Man and his Relations.
BY s. D. BRITAIN.
The Mind as a dsstructivs agent.

tr0chemIcal changes that occur III TIE
vital laboratories are accelerated or re,
tarded, are rendered irregular or uniform
by tile prevailing states and incidentalex'
ercises Of the mind. ''he most d4struc-
tive clements in the physical world, when
left to spend their whole force on the un'
projected human body, are scare J more
disastrous in their effects than the mis-
directed action of its powers; at the same
time the life forces may be augmented
and equazed, and wasting form myste-
riOus sy renewed by the appropriate ex,r-
else and right direction oi the mind.
Having proved by repeated references
to scientific experiments, that what is
usually drnominated the nervous Auid'in
an mails bndies, is a subtitle form of cleo
rricity, and that the same is evolved from
all parts Of the system where there is Ell
ther chemical or mechanical action.
shall now appeal TO f'cts to illustrate the
irresistible influence Of this electrical me
dum-agent of the mind--in the produc'
ton of the greatest physiological changes
Of hich the human body is susceptible.
The facts illustrative Of lis point are nu-
mrrous and oncIuSive. only few Of
which can be- comprehended in the cita-
ton.
The writer's views respecting the pow
or IF thp mind over the eecto- nervous
currents and The arterial irculalion, will
r ceive strong confirmation from the fur
ther examination OF the subject To the
areful observer il will be obvious. that
men ral and oral disturbances produce
corresponding physical arrangements. AS
intense love, vioent hate, sudden eaiousy
extreme apprehension, or any powerful
mental impulse, will Instantly interrupt
the vital equilibrium. it follows that the
most aggravated forms OF disease may
have their origin in the mind. Iflhe in.
divdual is more distinguished for vigor
of thought than for intensity OF feeling
thu unbalance' tide of the circulation
will flow TO hebrain. and be accompanied
by a strange cerebral excitement and u
flushed countensnce. Ii on the other
hand. the person be characterized by blind,
unreasoning passion, the vital torrent
m4y rush to the heart, leaving the visage
pale, and causing an accelerated arterial
action. Not only a momenary function.
a! arrangement is thus produced, but
congestion, paral ysis. insanity and death
often occur in consequnce of this direct
power of the mind over tie elemental
principles and organic a tiOn uf the body.
To insure uniform healtN and a pro
tractet earthly existence, the corporeal
development should be commensurate
with the increasing mental activity and
power. Amy great disproportion will be
found to be in ompatible with mental and
vital harmony. The capacity and inten
sity of the minds action is not unfrequent.
ly tho cause Of increasing physical debil-
ity and premature dissolution Of tie
body. Like powerful engine in frail
vessel. the mind shakes the slender fabric
in every part. At length is some great
emergency--wlen the storms oflie break
over us with terrific power, calling fol
herculean eifort--ths mind suddenly
breaks away from its frail and mortal fas
tonings and the startled voyager finds him,
self beyond tho vicisstudes of Time
aoanng at ease and gracefully in his i'm.
mortal argosy-with al Angel atthe helm
ard the great ocean Of the limlless Life
before him.
The intimate connection of tho mind
with the vital principle is forcibly Illus
lrated by innumerablc cases Of disease ant
many deaths, occurring co incidentally
with the previous anlicipalions Of the vic
Tins Whenever such fears and expcc
tons aro lostered, they are liable to ao-
quire dangerous influence over tho mind
aud in the end, TO produce the appre
honded physicAl results. Strong menla
impressions are suro to leave their i'm
ages IN the body, more or less distinctly
according to the active power of the ont
and the intrinsic susceptibility Of the 9th
or. The membranes are delicate chem
i,al SUI faces. and the mlnd by the for
ces ut ils command--electroiypeS the forms
and shadows of its thoughts and feelings
, 1t is possible 10 produce any physiolo
gical change or condition which can b,
comprohenGed in distinct mental con
reption or impression. Lot numbtr o
persons meet the same individual during
the day, and--without exciting suspi
cion of collusion or mischief assure hin
that he appears to bo i'll. and he will sooi
b. seriously indispoSed. This action o
the mind has in several instances, beer
carelessly excited and manifested by sucl
, startling aud painful results as shoulC
suffice to admonish tho ignorant and
thoughtless operator, that all similar cx.
periments arc, AT lcastin his hands, attend
ed with extreme danger to tho health ant
life Of the subject.
This power ofmenal action and asso
citation produces many surprising effects.
Impress The mind of the magnetic sleeper
that he must wake from his trance ut a
particular hour, and the vital forco will
so react on the body under the mental
impresSion--that it will be impossible for
him to sleep beyond tho prescribed limit
Moreover, while it requires powerful
effort To drive man out Of his earthly
house, 80 long Ms hc ls determined to re-
main therein, it is quite impossible to re.
strain or keep him when ho has once re
= lived 70 de art. The system can in no
way be more speedily and atally drrang.
ed, than by tIxiOg in the mind settled
aud intense conyic ion, that the body is
exposed 10 The impending evils of disease