Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-16
NERVES IN MIND CURE,
The Marvellous Effect of Mind on the
Body.


Body.
From the Literary Digest.
The influence of the mind over the body
as factor in determining certain phases
OF health or sickness is acknowledged by
all physicians, just as they acknowledge
the potency of any other agency, whether
external, as exercise, or internal as opium
aioes or any other drug. They simply OBJ
Ject TO the adoption of any one of these
agencies to the utter exclusion of all 9TH
ers' whether the favored agency be mental
action, muscular movement or some special
drug. so FAR as the action of the mind is
eHectlVe' II is so through that remarkable
system OF nerves called the great SYM
palhetlc: The functions of these nerves
ana their influence in controlling the phy-
zeal organization is well set forth by Dr.
A. j. Park of Chicago, in an essay on
Mind, Prayer and the Supernatural in
Healing, which he first read at a meeting
OF The Round Table" in that city. We
quote the part in which he treats of this
particular subject:
The class of nerves involved in such de-
rahSements as affect the bodily organs is
The great sympathetic system, which has
dots as reservoirs (called ganglions) all
through the human organism where nerve
force ana nerve currents are generated and
stored. and by its network of 1ibers con-
shutting Geographic system of infinite
stnsiblllty, which dwarfs all human con-
trlVances and preserves a uniform and
equal degree Of temperature and sensibiity
throughout the body.
The nerves of sensation and the nerves
OF motion occupy very subordinate posi-
ton. though closely allied to the synpa-
thetic system. The nerves of sensa ton are
the messengers which convey to the sen
sorium every sensation and impression
pleasant or painful, that is made upon the
cutaneous shield: and every impression
thus received and transmitted carries with
II voice from the great sympathetic.
Hence, it will appear clear. upon little
reflection, that the sympathetic nervous
system Dresides like a monarch over the
feelings, emotions and sensations of every
human being: that, as its uses and powers
are vital to life SO are its normal func-
tions essential to mental equipoise.
The absolute and dcspotic control that
the sympathetic system exercises over the
physical organization is so perfectly clear
and well known to every observer that the
recital of the phenomena in the vast and
countless series of its manifest atoms is
unnecessary. We are all practically aware
OF the TACT that digestion is promptly ar
rested upon the receipt of bad newS-the
appetite at once disappears, 1t ceases and
the whole system feels the effect of the de-
Pressing impulse, the mental or spiritual
wave which lowers the vital thermometer.
Fear not only suspends the digestive
functions. but arrests the formation of the
Secrctions upon which digestion depends
A sudden fright frequently paralyzes the
heart beyond recovery; whereas a pleasant
and pleasing message SootheS and gently
excites the whole glandular system, in
Creases the secretions, aids digestion AMI
sends thrill of joy to the snnsorium
which ditfuses the glad tidngs to every
Eerve fbrl in the complex organization
I'm view of these physiological and ana
tcmical facts. IL is perfectly clear how it is
that the method of cure known as massage
or the Swedish movement cure. cheerful
conversation aid earnest prayer. send 20
the sensorium of the invalid a new and
flesh array of impressions. A vigorous and
energetic rubbing of the body excites the
capillary system, impartS renewed life 20
dormant nerves, invigorateS the expiring
ard lifelesS cells, enables the weak and
iaEging energies of the system to throw
eff efete matter revivifieS the sluggish
circulation. increases the hearts action
and arouses the Pickering and validating
will up to the level of manly resolution and
higher hopes-and herein lies the whole
secret of the so-called faith cures"