The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-06

How tho Mind-Cure Doctors Operate and
What They Accomplish.


What They Accomplish.
Boston Letter.
Among the intelligent people in every day life
who have studied the mind cure theories, and to
o greater or less extent have tested them, the
ideas of the teachers very much modified.
Indeed, hardly any two have just the same con
ception of the science One lazy believes that
to be a consistent healer one must be a Univer
sahst. Another insists that the minds of her
patients shall be made free from guile, and ac-
cordingly asks for full statement of their
lives. Many persons who study the system re-
nounce all religious and superstitious ideas IN
connection with it. but recognize the physical
phenomena. which they do not attempt to ex-
plain and practice the art as successfully as any
lady in Hyde Park who takes this position
says she finds herself possessed of power over
many serious ills which she hardly knows
how to use. She says she prays earnestly and
the ailment of the sufferer seems to be trans
ferred TO herself. Then she is able to throw it
OH. She does not know whether to eall it mind
cure. faith cure or magnetism. Some operators
say they use no will power but simply keep in
their minds an image of perfect health and let
God or the truth work through them. Others
exert the will intensely to drag out the disease
as it were by main force.
To be consistent, the leading mind cure theo-
rists have to maintain some very absurd ideas.
Poisons, they say, would be harmless il the fear
of them were removed Children, they explain,
are affected because of unconscious hereditary
Christian Scientist Division of Mental Healers
claims that her husband, who died three OF four
years ago, was murdered by enemy among
the scientists, who thought arsenic into him. 4"
Some of these queer enthusiasts claim that men
tai influence does not recognize distance and
that therefore the presence of the patient under
treatments not necessary. A lady in Hyde
Park Mass has an intimate friend in
Sacramento Cal, who few months ago was
given up by the physicians to die of infamma-
m w W mar n
at 3 o'clock Boston time, on certain days the in
valid should mentally submit herself to the treat
ment of her friend In Hyde Park. It is claimed
that improvement was immediate and that with
In month the patient was able to visit San
Francisco with her husband. Another lady in
treating absent patients, puts doll in a chair
upon which to fix her mind in lieu OF sick
person. Most of the mental healers profess con-
tempt for the laws Of hygiene. They bid their
patients eat what they please and act as they
please. Mrs Eddy makes the proviso that they
must be of strong faith that what they eat and
and do viii not harm them.
So much for means and methods. When the
inquirer attempts to Investigate the actual accom-
plishments under the new pathology be en-
counters a vast array of witnesses and testi-
mony. But after attempting to sift the evidence
1t is impossible to return sweeping and decis-
i've verdict 1t would be useless to deny that
under the influence of the mind cure practition
ers. benefcient and, in some cases, remarkable
results are attained 1t is not surpris-
ing that they are able to cure" hypo-
chondriacs, whose ills exist only in inn
agination, and it is easy to understand
that their peculiar influence is more potent than
that of medicine in cases of certain mental and
nervous disorders But when more marvellous
cures are claimed the average skeptic falls back
upon Dr. Peabodys assertion that physicians
success depends on the degree in which he pos
sesses the confidence of his patient Complete
harmony of mind and confidence in any remedial
agency is a more potent factor In any case than
most people, even medical practitioners, gener-
ally recognize This fact is the real secret of the
spread of the mnd-cure craze, and with foun-
dation substantial it is, after all, hardly
derful that so vast and fantastic structure has
been erected. Investigation of any of the mir
acles which it is claimed are wrought is unsatis-
factory. Although cases are cited by the hun
dred of alleged cures of paralysis. cancer, tnmor
consumption, rheumatism, scarlet fever, spinal
complaint, nervous disorders and minor COM
plants, there appears to have been no genuine,
scientific test of the system. There is testimony
IN abundance-radical. positive and undoubt-
eddy honest-from people who claim to have
been cured by the new agency of organic disease
of long standing; but investigation develops so
many weak or incredible points that close
analysis is almost always unsatisfactory in it's
results.