The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1875-05-27
From the chronological JournaLJ
The Influence Of Mind Upon the Body
BY AMELIE V. PETIT.

That mind pervades the whole animal
organism seems proven from its great in
fuence in bodily disease Irregularity of
action in the heart, and even real dis
ease, may be induced by constant notice
of its pulsations. The person who talks
continually of being nervous, will aggra-
Vate and increase irritability of the ner-
vous system. Every one knows how
children are often frightened by ghost
stories and other such tales, so that
sleeplessness is caused and nervous dis
orders fastened upon the little sufferer.
Many instances have occurred where not
only children, but even adults, have been
frightened so that death resulted
A story has been related how class of
medical students, incredulous of mental
power in inducing disease, experimental
upon healthy, robust young farmer of
their acquaintance. A halfdozen or so
of budding esculapians stationed them
selves at short intervals along the road
the farmer would pass in going to mar
ket.
The first experimenter called out,
Good morning, John, a bright day
how's hay to-day? But you are not look
ing WE'LL What's the matter2 Head
acheP'
NO" replies John Never felt better
in my life; all hum about my not look
ing we'll.
Student replies, Better be a little
careful this warm day" and the hay
drives on.
John meditates upon the idea of his
not looking WELL meets No. 2 further on,
who exclaims, without any preliminaries,
"Why, John, what's the matter? You're
sick"
NO" answers John, less confidently
than before; I'm not sick, though not
SO pert as usual this morning" No. 2
hens, shakes his head, looks wise. and
John passes on, thinking about their
words, and really beginning to feel i'll.
Meets now No. 8, who cries out in
voice almost of terror, Good heavens,
John! you're dead man! You've got
the fever" John, already pale and with
great beads of perspiration upon his fore
head, reddens, then blanches and "allows
that something ails him, and he'll call at
the doctors in town"
No. 4 and 5 corroborate the previous
statements. and No. 6 finally helps the
sick young fellow down from the load
and into the doctors.
Here the story was privately related to
the physician, who making simple
prescription, cheered the young man,
while No. helped unload the hay and
rode back with the convalescing John,
fully convinced of the important role the
mind plays in physical disease.
1t is well known that cholera is often
induced by fear, and a fatal termination
of this disease may be almost surely pre-
dicted where the patient is of gloomy,
treuble-foreboding disposition, or breads
death. During a season of epidemic
cholera two of our family connections,
men of good intellect were absent from
home upon business that detained them
several days. Learning that cholera had
broken out in the city where they resid-
ed, they became much troubled about
their families, and finally, impressed
with the idea they should find their
wives ill and dying, they started home,
thinking and talking of the horrors of
this terrible scourge. Before reaching
the city both were taken sick and expir-
ed soon after arriving at home, without
having been exposed to contagion.
Again, the mind has great power in
upholding and strengthening, through
trouble and disaster. those possessing
courage and determination. This may
be proven by the records of expeditions
of discovery, when accident or stress of
weather has brought suffering and hard
snip. Inc respondent Weak-mlnded
ones are the first to break down and die,
although their physical strength and
power may have been of superior or
der; while those of weak, slight ply
sique, upheld by an elastic, hopeful spir
it, and the force impaired by cultivated,
help-devising mind, will survive incredi
BILE labor and privation.
An instance of the power of will in
prolonging life has fallen under my own
observation A young man who had
contracted consumption was, for many
weeks, to all appearance, just at deaths
door, and no physician believed it scarce
ly possible for him to survive from day
to day. But he said, Il must live till |
am twentyo one"
why, Henry" said friend, "are not
you resigned to go when God call your
YES" was tho reply, but for one
thing, and l shall try, and l believe God
will help me live to that day. If l do
not live to twenty y-one the property my
grandfather left me will go out OF my
lamily-my mother and the children will
have nothing to live upon. have work
ed for them since I'was twelve years DID,
God will certainly let me stay till can
do this for them"
The days went by, and Henry fingered
T he night before the birthday came; the
p apers were brought; the notary waited
IN the next room till the midnight hour