New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-09-22
4 CASE OF IMAGINATION.

A CASE OF IMAGINATION.
It is well-established fact that the
mind has q direct and important action
upon the body, and to much greater
extent than persons in general suppose.
During the prevalence OF an epidemic,
for instance, such as the cholera, thou
sands become afflicted through their
own fancy, who would otherwise es-
cape the fell destroyer. Weremember,
when this scourge was last upon US. Of
hearing several individuals spoken of as
likely to perish with the disease, for
the simple reason that they were con-
stantly in 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 seemed to
care little about it, and in some cases
scOfed at and deied 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 its presence and
power through one of it's attributes, the
will: and VIC are sometimes astonished
at its increased force, when stimulated
by passion or fear.
In a conversation with q distinguish
ed physician of our acquaintance upon
this subject, he related q case of the
striking effect of imagination, or mind,
upon body, Which came under his own
observation while student at a hos
pital. A lecture by one of the faculty
touching upon imagination and its
strange effects, became a subject of
discussion in his class; and the ques-
ton shortly arose, whether it was not
rather the body that affected the mind
than the mind the body.
- CONTEND" said one, "that the
body first becomes affected by some
morbid influence, and the mind of
course takes its tone therefrom."
/ maintain" said another. "that
the mind may be first affected, and so
impair the body, as in cases of mental
excitement, such as grief, Joy, fear,
horror, shame, chagrin and disappoint-
ment."
The students took sides on the ques-
ton and the matter was ably argued
pro and con, each party about equally
maintaining its assumed position. In
all questions of a nature permitting a
strong argument on either side, it is
fair to presume that both parties have
truth for a foundation, and neither has
the whole truth; and so it was in this
case--the fact being that the mind does
affect the body, and the body the mind.
But something more than argument
was wanted in this case; medical stu
dents like to try experiments, and wit
ness practical demonstrations; and it
was finally agreed that a perfectly
healthy subject should be selected and
put under tho effects of imagination. A
young, robust, rosy-cheeked farmer,
who occasionally came into the town to
dispose of his fruit, and who had found
some of his best customers among the
students, was finally fixed upon as an
individual in every way satisfactory for
the trial. The plan was for some of
the students, at different times and in
different places, without any appear
ance of collision, to be struck with
his altered looks--to perceive some
secret malady beginning to affect him
and finally to predict his death at a
given time. With this understanding
they went deliberately to work the next
time he appeared among them. Some
three or four Of them sauntered out to
his cart, from which he was selling ap-
pies; and each, as he came up, took a
long and unusual stare at him, as if
suddenly discovering something very
peculiar; and then all seemed to con-
suit together in a very serious manner,
occasionally glancing at him with looks
OF pity verging on alarm.
"How are you to-day, Mr. Bassett?'
ct length inquired one of the party, in
Il grave. quiet tone, with look of com
miscrstlon; while the others crowded
up, stared hard in his face, and seemed
anxious for his answer.
I'm right well, I thank your re.
piled Bassctt. with q pleasant smile:
chow do you find yourself? I've got
some good eating apples here, gentle
men-the same kind you liked 50 vel
before.'
''How old are you, my friend?" pur.
sued the one who had first addressed
him, still looking him steadily and &C.
flOuSly III inc eye.
Going on twenty-four."
"Just the age, too,' remarked tho
other to his companion, in Il low tone
which Bassett overheard, as it was in
tended he should. care you married?'
he inquired, turning to tho young
farmer.
"No; not yet, exactly" laughed Bas.
sett.
Intend to be, l suppose?''.
"Well. perhaps, some time or other,
if livc.''
Very well put inf you liven' re-
turned the qucstioner, with solemn en-
phasis.
For the first time, the young farme,
looked at the spe akcr in some surprise
why, what do you mean by that
if l live?'' he inquired.
SIS it best to tell him?'' said the stu.
dent. in a low tone, addressing his com
panions.
1t may be as well,' replied another
cit can alter nothing, you know, Wheat
ley, and he may have some preparation.
to make.''
"Ah, here comes DIR. Giles-a ver
shrewd observer; let us see if he notice!
any thing first" observed Wheatlev
glancing at another student, who wa!
leisurely approaching.
Well, boys, how are the apples to.
day." said the newcomer, in q light
tone, as he drew near.
He glanced at the apple-dealer as hi
spoke. gave start, stepped suddenly
and then looked inquiringly at tin
others, who maintained an ominous 81
lence,
Heavensr' he exclaimed; "it is so
And so young!'
"What is sop rather seriously in
quired Bassett, on whom the manner O
the whole group had begun to make
marked impression.
81 was about to tell him. sail
Wheatley to Giles, in q confidential
tone; ''but seeing you approach,
thought would wait and sec if youl
observation confirmed it,
$ A clear case-l saw it at a glancer
replied Giles. "What pity! And h,
is in such apparent healthr'
Then the five students drew back