Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-03-12


Hypochondria. hysteria, nervous prostra-
ton, besides many ills having local habita-
tions in the human system, are undergoing
new species of treatment in Boston, which
is amounting TO an actual craze II is even
called "the Boston craze and it is attract
ing as much attention as some other pecul-
arities our neighboIs declare TO be essential
ly Characteristic Of the Hub. How long il
will last need not be conjectured, but prob
ably until the fools are all dead condition
not imminent, as the world will admit-but
as there must alsays be some fad to engross
idle people, this is as good or as harmless as
another. The "treatment' is purely mega
tive, or perhaps should say purely spir.tu-
al, the patient being passive and the "doc-
tor equally passive TO all appearances,
though shei is generally she must keep
up a devil of thinking. like the sailors
parrot. Women who are bowed down by
multitude of aches and pains which they
cannot localize. but which imagination tells
them are somewhere" have adopted the
mind cure with deep satisfaction. Their
family physicians failed TO cure ,hem but
the mind doctor works miracles, so they say.
| won't be unjust to the sex, and therefore
admit that several intelligent men have also
tried the cure and pronounced on its being
wonderfully efficacious. :" "of great bene-
fit" ETC., etc. Now as far as can see the
cure consists in the patient being "sat with"
by the doctor" who looks at her or him for
half an hour without saying word. Ger
,anIy very easy remedy TO take, especially
ii the doctor" should happen to be good
looking. though believe that is never the
case. and the virtue OF the cure is wholly
owing to the effect of mind on matter. A
friend OF mine who has been a victim of
dyspepsia for 10 years or more, was the first
person To call my attention to this new
dodge, and her enthusiasm quite carried me
away. so that | really wished had some
thing the matter with me that too might
receive benefit through such delightfully."-
novel source. Though this case of dyspep-
sia was quite chronic, and several eminent
physicians had used all their skill and know
ledge TO perfect cure without success. what
does the mind doctor do but make the VIC
tim feel ever so much better" immediately,
and IN a few weeks tine roui he disease
foot and horse How long this state Of
things u 10 last remains To b. seen. Prob
ably just so long the doctor" continues
to gaze magnettcaly at her patient, and
just so long as the patient tancles she Is
cured. You may see what field this is
ior people gifted with strong concentratlve
power TO turn penny by the very gentle
and the least Objectionable humbug Of prey
ing en- nervous hy.terical women whose wills
are more at fault than their internal organs.
Il is quite the custom to hear ladies appar-
emily in good health say ''Oh, this is my
hour for the mind cure pray excuse me if |
run away and then 90 and si, an hour
~lth doctor who receives a couple Of dol
lars for exertlng this unknown influence that
makes them feel like new creatures" Nv
theory ls tina, an hours complete subsection
to quiet, restful lnanily Is good box
Of pills for bundle Of nerves, and then, as
observed before, the fools are not all dead
This, however, is oar latest craze, and as
innocent as most Of the crazes which bese,
mankind from time to time whether one
calls II massage, hot water drinking or the
mind cure