Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-06-23
A Case of Imagination.

tion upon the body, and to a much
greater extent than persons in gener-
al suppose. During the prevalence
of an epidemic, for instance, such as
the cholera, thousands become aff1ict-
ed through their own fancy, who
would otherwise escape the fell de-
stroyer. We remember, when this
scohrge 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 or fear of it; while,
on the other hand, those who seemed
to dare little about it, and in some
cases scoffed at and defed 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 pres
ence and power through one of its at
tributes, the will; and we are some
times astonished at its increased
force, when stimulated by passion or
fear.
In a conversation with a distin-
guished physician of our acquaint-
ance upon this subject, he related a
case of the striking effect of imagi-
nation. or mind upon body, which
came under his own observation while
a student at the hospital. A lecture
by one of the faculty touching upon
Imagination and its strange effects.
became a 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.
81 contend" said one, "that the
body first becomes affected by some
morbid influence, and the mind of
I
course takes It's tone therefrom.' -
81 maintain said another, "that
the mind may be first affected, and
so impair the body, and in eases of
mental excitement, such as grief, joy,
fear, horror, shame, chagrin and dis
appointment"
The students took sides on the
question and the matter was ably ar
gued pro and con, each party about
equally maintaining its assumed po-
sition. In all questions of nature
| permitting a strong argument on
! either side, it is fair to presume that
both parties have truth for founda-
ton; 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 affect the mind.
| But something more than argument
4 Was hduG6N Ill t1iIS Ease EIttltCit STU
dents like to try experiments, ant
1 witness practical demonstrations
and it was finally agreed that per
| fectly healthy subject should be Sc
lected and put under the effects O.
imagination. A young, robust. rosy
checked farmer, who OCCASIONAL,
came into town to dispose of som,
fruit, and who had found some of hi
best customers among the students
was finally fixed upon as an individ
ual in every way satisfactory for
trial. The plan was for some of tn
students. at different times and a
different places, without any appear
ance of collusion, to be struck wit
his altered looks-to perceive som
secret malady beginning to affect hin
and finally to predict his death at
given time. With this understand
ing they went deliberately to worl
the next time he appeared anon;
them. Some three or four of ther
sauntered out to his cart, from whicl
he was selling apples; and each, a
he came up took long and unusua
stare at him, as if suddenly discover
ing something very peculiar; an
then all seemed to consult togethe
in very serious manner, occasion
ally glancing at him with looks of pit
verging on alarm.
"How are you to-day, Mr.. Bassett? !?
at length inquired one of the party
in grave, quiet tone, with look o
commiseration while the other
crowded up, stared hard in his face
| and seemed anxious for his answer.
"I'm right we'll, I thank you? = re
piled Bassett, with pleasant smile
. show do you find yourself? [ &C
. some good eating apples here, gentle
men-the same kind that you like
so well before -
"How old are you, my friend ?
y | pursued the one who had first &C
, | dressed him, still looking him steae
lily and seriously in the eye.
"Going on twenty-four. )"
!, s'Just the right age, too, remarke
the other to his companion, in 10
: tone, which Bassett overheard, as
was intended he should. ''Are yo
a married?'' he inquired, turning
1 the young farmer.
ssNo, not yet, exactly laughe
Bassett.
ssIntend to be, / suppose"
e "Well, perhaps some time OF othe
t if I live
2 s'Very well put inf you live
i returned the questioner, with solen
e emphasis.
d For the first time the young farm
! looked at the speaker in some ST.
d prise.
e "Why, what do you mean by tn
b If | live" he inquired.