New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-02
crRES WITHOUT MEDICINE.
SOME POSSIBILITIES OF MENTAL ACTIV-
lTY OF THE RIGHT SORT.

The most skilful physicians recognize the in
cuence Of the mind over the body in their treat
mont of diseases. They may differ among
,nenselyes as 10 the extent to which that in
auence operates, and they probably notice
marked differences among their patients in suS-
cen,ihility 10 it, Nevertheless. it may be ac-
csp,ed as an established principle that thinking
a coed deal about any physical ailment and
taking an unhappy view of its probable result,
tends 10 aggravate the malady, whereas cheer
IN, state Of mind coupled with artful diversion
of the thoughts from the fact of the illness,
helms 10 mitigate its severity and to promote
recovery.
A comparatively limited number OF medical
men who have made special study of mental
or psychological phenomena show disposition
nowadays 10 enlarge the field in which this in
fuence shall be allowed to act and 10 give
more particular direction to its operations. AS
vet the matter has not been investigated with
such thorouChness and by such strictly scen-
fife methods as to justify any definite state
ment Some suggestive hints are, however. con-
tanned in an article which Professor Elmer
Gates Of Washington, ID. c. contributes 10
"The Medical Times" of NewYork, for Decem-
Der Professor Gates is not a practitoner nor
does ne take patients for pay, but he is an eX-
perimenler in biology and psychology. His en-
thusiasm makes him too sansuine al times pos
sibly and his failure to take his readers fully
into his confidence in certain matters Of detail
excitcs occasional doubt or perplexity. Stli MS
story Is not without its value.
Some experiments with dogs are described by
Professor Gates TO show how it is possible to
educate. deceive and re-educatc certain centres
in the brain, groups Of cells that are related TO
the functions Of various internal organs. BY
giving the dogs milk cOlored yellow and con-
tanning an emetic he trained them 10 refuse
yellow milk Then he gave them milk which
was colored, but did not contain an emetic, and
offered the liquid in the dark. After the dogs
had drunk some Of it he turned UP the light
whCreupon they were nauseatod. Finally. he
began feeding the dogs milk, day after day,
gradually increasing the color Of it 10 dark
yellow, but adding little sugar. Meantime he
offered them uncolored milk containing lit
tie ernetic Thus he led the dogs to prefer yell
low milk to white.
Here is a case in which human subject was
Experimental upon. Professor Gatess own Ian
guage may be quoted, but with the PREDATORY
explanation that a series Of earlier experiments
on the lower animals (Which could be Killed and
examined) showed that the persistent exercise
Of certain kinds Of thought and feeling builds
up the structure Of corresponding parts Of the
brain.
Mrs NJ" says the Washington investigator,
had been suffering for nine years from dys-
pepsia, consisting not so much of gastric ina
bility as Of improper assimilation. gave her a
systematic series Of training in pleasurable
doors, perfumes and tastes, and systematic
series Of membranes of pleasurable gustatory
and other hunger-feelings and thrst-feelings.
giving the training at the same hour each day
every day for two months. The result was
complete restoration Of her assimative powers
and gain Of % per cent in weight-she had
been very much emaciated-and of more than
80 per cent in strength. The additional brain
cells which thus placed in the cerebral areas
Of the gastrC-intestinal tract caused the brain
10 send more and better stimuli to the digestive
organs and thus bring about the cure Of her
disease"
Professor Gates holds, and he is by no means
alone IN holding that the cells Of which any
organ, whether IL be stomach, liver or eye, is
composed possess a mental activity Of their
own and he thinks that the experiments here
described prove that the functioning OF a bodily
organ can be wholly changed. and its abnormal
fur ctioulng cured by means Of nervous stimuli
sent - these organs from their corresponding
brain areas, and that therefore the change
must be- effected by the action Of the mind upon
the psychic activities Of the cells Of the organ"
But patient need not depend altogether on
his physician in this education Of his stomach
mind. liver mind and eye-mind Another series
OF trials made 10y Professor Gates shows That
some people. perhaps all people, can voluntarily
send blood to a particular part Of the system by
directing their thoughts thereto, and thus. TO
greater OF less extent, alter the situation there.