New-York tribune., 1902-07-15
SUPERSTITION A DANGER
PONING CORONATION, SAYS
DR. CORNING

1t has been reported from London that the
superstition entertained by King Edward that he
viii never be crowned is having prejudicial an
effect upon his mind his physicians to
give reluctant consent early coronation. fear
ing lest further postponement may bring greater
harm than the exertion incident 10 the perform
ance Of the ceremony before convaIescence has
been fully achieved.
Dr. J. Leonard Corning. the specialist on nervous
diseases was seen by a Tribune reporter at his
office No 50 West Thirty-eghth-st.. and was
asked a number OF questions bearing on the sub
Ject of superstition element of danger in the
Kings case.
us 1t a fact" he was asked. that supersti-
tious belief may exert great sway over the
mind is implied by this action on the part OF
the Kings physicians
"Unquestionably answered DR.. Corning The
power of superstitious belief in omens philterS'
charms fortune telling and the like 10 modify the
emotional tone is exernplihed only in the sick
but in the well. In the hrst-the bodily innrH1-its
effect is naturally more pronounced than IN tne
second-those who are naturally sound"
What are the conditions that favor the develop
ment of superstition
First, the fact that large percentage OF hu-
man beings are unaccustomed to look searchingiy
into casualty. Unframed in logical method, stran-
gers TO the kind Of reasoning that has brought TO
the race about all the knowledge IL possesses Of
the universe. the idea OF causation possessed oy
these persons is largely infantile. largely unoe-
veloped. OF my acquaintance, lay and professional
I find that not one in has read the chapter on
induction that constitutes such weighty and in
forming part OF John Stuart Millss great Work
on logic. More than this, there is still covert
tendency-a suspicion in our day but halr e1-
pressed-that TO look to the speculative literature
of the past, to poesy of the gods. is to gain
latitude Of the mind and address Of the wits
to be had in no other way. This is an unwar-
ranted conclusion. not because IT is classical OF
medieval or necessarily of the worn out hong ago.
but because IL is untrue.
ITO study not only the conclusions but the IN
tellectuaI methods of Newton. Faraday. Harvey
the psychologists, the chemists the astronomers
the geologists-to study not merely the goal but
the road thitheris 10 educate the feeling OF causa
ton and pull Don Quixote from the saddle. Yet
not always: for history and the events of every
day show clearly enough that human beings even
to concede the limitations Of the understanding,
and. grown impatient at the inability Of science
blthely to the arms Of Mother Goose. 'Tis but
the exaggerated swing Of the pendulum,
Are there any further causes for the growth
Of superstition other than those you have men
Yes. habit especially at an early age. has a
good deal 10 do with it. girl or youth Is told
boding fatality with it, The brain. untutored ana
Uniformed clutches the impression. and not all the
informing experience Of after years is able TO dis
lodge the illogical parasite. Brooding, or fortui-
tous coincidence. only makes IT cling the closer
certain unrea easoned delusions OF the insane. Even
as some errant craft of piraticai vany. protected
so the irrational idea sinks into consciousness
uUbidden by the intellect Hence ii may happen
that even the greatest among US may have his
little supersttions"
Have such fixed superstitions ever formed a
point OF departure of an attack OF insanity
Yes, when there is hereditary predisposition
10 mental trouble. especially IL accompanied by a
tendency to brood and great physical debility"
DO you think the physicians Of the English
King are acting wisely in permitting the corona
IiOn 10 be hastenedT'
"Psychologicaly speaking. I should say they
were. always assuming the facts reported.
Theirs IS. however, a delicate choice-the danger
OF morbid hrooding, OF inststent fret. the one
hand; the risk Of exertion all too premature on
the other