Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1869-02-11
A CASE OF IMAGINATION.

L 10 q well established fact, that the
mind has direct and important action
upon the bgdy. and to q much greater ex-
tent than persons in general suppose
During the prevalence Of an epidemic. for
become afflicted through their own fancy.
who would otherwise escape the fell de-
stroyer We remember when this scourge
was last upon Us, of hearing several per-
sons spoken of as likely to perish with
the disease, for the simple reason that
they were constantly III dread and fear of
it and we noted the fact that these same
persons rarely lived out the season
while. on the other hand, those who seem
ed to care little about it, and in some Ca
ses scofed at and dehed it. were seldom
touched by the invisible foe.
No one can tell what the mind is, or
how it acts upon the body but We have
constant evidence of it's presence aud pow
Gr, through one Of its attributes. tie will;
and we are sometimes astonlshcd At It's
increased force, when stimulated by pas
sion or fear.
In conversation With distinguished
ph ysican Of our acquaintance upon this
subject, be related . case Of the striking
effect Of ina agination. or mind upon the
body. which came under his own obs2r-
vaticr sh.|- stpdent at q hospitl. 4
lecture by one of the faculty. touching
upon Imagination and its strange effects.
became subject of discussion in his
class; and the question shortly arose.
whether it was not rather the body that
affected the mind than the mind the
body.
Il contend" said one. that the boiy
frst becomes affected by some morbid IN
fuence, and the mind OF course. takes 1t
therefrom.
II maintain. said another, that the
mind may be first affected. and SO impair
the body. IS Ia cases Of mental excite
u Mt, such as grief, joy. fear, horror j,
sham chagrin. and disappointment
The students took sides on the qles-
ton, and the m.tter was ably arsuel pro
and con. each party about equally main
taining its assumed position. In all
questions Of nature permitting a s,ronG
argument on either SIDE, it is fair to pre-
sunc that both parties have truth for q
foundation, and neither has the whole
truth and SO it was 10 this case-the
fact being that the mind do3s af ct the
body anl the body the .niud.
But sometni & mere than argument
WAS wanted 10 this case medical students
Ike 10 try experiments aud witness prac-
IL
agretd that a perfect healthy subject
should be selected and put under the ct
fects of Imagination. a young robust.
rosy-cheeked farmer. who occas.onslly
came into the town to dispose OF his fruit.
and who had found some of his best Gus
TONERS among the students, was finally
sxad upon a. an individual IN every way
satisfactory for the trial The plan was
for some Of the stadeuts in different times,
and in different places, without any ap-
pesrance Of collision. to be struck with
bis altered looks-to perceive some secret
malady beginning to affect him, -and f.
nallv to predict his death at given tiae
With til, understanding they went de-
liherately 10 work the next time he aY
2 pearGG aUlOLA lASui. A'SiAAO tA-A'N ~ iO04
q. them sauutered out 10 lis cart, troM
which he wa selling apples aad each
a. he came u, toJh long a-d unI,uai
stare at hin. as i. suddeLIy discovering
something very peculiar, anu then al
seemed TO consult together III very Sc
rious manner. oceaslena.iy g!ancing a.
him With looks of pity yerslns on alarm
How arc you to-day, Mr.. Bassett p
a. length inquired one OF the party. in 4
grave. quiet tone, With look OF c5mn.ls-
Grafton while me others crowded =
= ard uafd L .4cc, and seemed aGA-
5 .or al aus We
I'm ri--t -. thank So
= j Blssett. PieasaL: s.-...e !;
low 60 vou fla vourselfl Ig4 got
same coo1 e4;1- ~opies here. 1ea..--.-a .
the san A.-4 : "a l.Aa, ~.
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4ev o.i IRE -yr my frel
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