Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-07-15
CASE or IMAGIS ALTON.

1t is a we'll established fact that the |
mind has a direct and important ac-
ton upon the body. and to a much |
greater extent than persons III general
suppose During the prevalence OF an
epidemic, for instance, such as the
cholera, thousands become afflicted
through their own fancy who would
otherwise escaped the fell destroyer.
We remember when tins scourge was
last upon us Of hearing several lndl-
viduals spoken Of as likely to perish
with the disease for the simple reason
that they were constantly III dread
ana fear Of it; and we noted the fact
that these same persons rarely hved
ont the season while on the other
hand those who seemed to care little
about it, and in some cases scotfed at
and lcfied it, were seldom touched by
the invisible foe.
No one can tell what the mind Is, or
how it acts upon the body; bat we
have constant evidence Of Its presence
and power, through one of its attrl-
bntcs, the will and we are some
times n.tonishcd at its increased force,
when stimulated by passion or fear.
In q conversation with dlstln-
gulshcd physician Of our acquaintance
upon this subject, he related case OF
the striking effect Of imagination, or
mind upon body, which came under
Il, VIII Ia cfI af
hospital A lecture by one of the
faculty, touching upon Imagination
and it, strange effects, became sub
ject 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
body first becomes affected by some
morbid influence and the mind, Of
course, takes its tone therefrom
Il maintain" said another, THAT
the mind may be first affected and SO
impair the body, as IN cases of mental
xcitement, such as grief, JOY, horror,
shame, chagrin and disappointment
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 nature permit
ting a strong argument on either side,
it is fair to presume that both parties
have truth for 4 foundation and neither
has the whole Truth and SO it was il
this case the fact being that the mind
does affect the body and the body the
min
But something more than argument
was waited in this ease medical stu
dents llko to try experiments, and
witness practical demonstrations ant
II was finally agreed that perfectl,
healthy subject should be selected ant
put under the effects of imagination
\ young, robust. rosy-cheehei farmer
WHO occasionally came into town t
dispose Of his fruit, and who ha.
foand some of his best customer
among the students, was finally tixet
upuu as m individual every way salts
factory for the trial The plan wa
for some OF the students, ut ditferen
times and in different places, withou
any appearance OF collu>ion, TO b,
struck with his altered looks. to per
ccive some secret malady heginnin.
to affect him. and, finally, 10 predic
his death ut given time.
With this understanding they wen
deliberately 10 work the next time IL
appeared among them. Some thre
or four Of them sauntcred ont TO hi
cart, from which be was selling apples
and cach. as he came un, took a lony
and uar>ual stare at him, As If sud
aenly discovering something Yer
peculiar, and then all seemed to con
suit together IL very curious manner
occasionally glanc,ng at HIM Wit
looks Of Pity vereing on alarm.
How are yon to day. Mr.. Bassett?
@ iersn. inquired one of the party. il
grave, Aliet tone, With look Q
'"iaih '~"ra'loa while the other
orowdea up. stared hard in his face
aud seemed ANXIOUS for his answer.
M rsh Well, l thank Won. re
phed b2ss'tt with pleasant smile
chow 10 yunr nnd yourself? Tv
got sone good eating apples here
gentlemen the same kind as 20,
liked SO Wei before.
How old are You, my triend?' pur
sued the one who had first addresse,
him. still looking him steadily an
seriously III the eye.
Going on twenty-four.
"Just the age, too" remarked til