The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-04

A Scientist Explains How Thought May Deter
mine Human Existence.
From the St. Louis Globe Democrat.

From the St. Louis Globe. Democrat.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, June 26.-Dr. C. A. Ste
phens. a New England man, a graduate of the
Boston University Medical School and a mem
Der of many learned bodies, who Is now stay
ing with a friend in this city, built a laboratory
several years ago at Norway Lake, near Nor
way, Me-, and he spends almost all his time
there In investigating the causes of old age and
death, with the object Of their alienation and
removal. Dr.. Stephens published from his
laboratory the close connection of all the cells in
the brain by nerve fibre, enabling them to feel
and act together, about a year and a half be-
fore the discovery was announced by the great
Spanish Psychologist, Ramon y Cajal of Madrid.
DR.. Stephens says he Is confident that the
progress of brain science will enable, mankind
successfully to overcome decay and its climax.
death. He point out that matter Is indestruc-
tible and that the law of the universe Is i'm
mortality. He believes that death at three
score and ten or thereabouts Is largely a matter
of belief and habit. Generation after genera
ton is born into the world, expecting to die at
a certain time, and 1t dies then. He very
forcibly points out that II children were brought
up with the idea of living forever this altered
expectation would gradually but surely extend
the life limit in the course of generations.
To prove that life length Is largely a child Of
habit and environment he instances the ele-
plant and the swan, whose ages run into the
moths. whose heyday of existence is but tho
aeetins moment ;nsc IFS studies St iks have been par
animation Of the brain cells Of the old and in.
firm. He: finds their nuclei dark and shrunk-
en-, Just IKE the brain coils OF the fatisred p-
trated by pr. Hodge of Clark University,
whether the universal presence of microscopic
dirt may not be a potent factor OF old age and
eisn inorganic matter i in Old 4S brain cells 8. re ae
shows how this dirt" Is brought into the sys-
tenn by the inspired air tenciosurosss. through
the cells OF the lungs into the blood, and finds
its final refuse heap In the cells themselves,
where it increases in amount hourly, and es.
the minute tissues, the rejuyenation of organic
material, and the constant birth of fresh physi-
The vastly superior power Of brain cells to
yineibiity Of thought life in its anal victory over
pentaiist refers to tho mental change Which
habit induces Inc soon after each individual has
After that point all the "'R Theological de- ia stru Lectures;
Stem the the Sod tide ios S heart sets sn4 foF make etSe no So ssfST, e
path to death"
The doctor, declares that the achievement of
deaf to hear with their eyes, and tones up r0-
laxed vocal chords, which brings 1t to pass that
ISe R,ind w fsS T The t tnsiF a9 oSseSitS taken of ancient in i 9
as authenticated in monuments, shows that
unusual length of life has been a (at accompif
Of history, and suggests that the determining
within the domain of thought.
AS humanity in its physiological expression
Stephens argues, better food selection and a
more watchful outlook against the introduc-
system cannot help increasing tho life poten.
tial Of each unit OF the race.
DR.. Stephens holds that what Is known as
acquired by cells, collectively and individually,
during years of hereditary transmission. This
view Is the same held by Sir William Thorn
son and Thomas A. Edison. He points out that
father and child, death and lie, generation
society but only its makeshifts. Immortal
life, IS the real aim in view. and he believes 1t
will be achieyod in time.