The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-07-23

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ana did make a fair and fuil SYNOPSIS S.I'''
of Captain Lees letter. KAYE I. ,,.gt "a
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Diseases Of the Imagination.
55 Or. n. a. Kelrle, director Of the Pnste eur
Institute Of tho City Hospital Of Balti-
more, tells the sun that patients i1lny
manifest all the symptoms OF hydropho p l,
With whicl, the physicians ere familiar,
und YET not have the disease, for the
simple reason that they IRE Victims Of Of
their own distorted Imagination. Among
the symptoms whichids person THUS 'nfflict-
ed is expected 10 show are an Inability ma
ITO swallow water, 10 bite objects as q
mad dog does and to bark like dog.
~ person who has rabies never harks,"
said Dr.. Keirle, "and as soon as patient
begins TO do that yo, can Just make up
your mind that he Is not rabid and not
worry yourself SO much about "hether
your hands get near his mouth or not.
g8.'Among the pseudo cases this IS ono
OF the first symptoms, but they often
develop other forms OF the disease
familiar to the public. They bite at OBJ
1GClS, UlF+lllc
spasns a the sight or water and frc-
su,,cntly nearly die victims of5thelr imagi-
nation. 5a .
lone of the signs of the disease when
is not so well known Is inability to en-
duro tanning the slightest movement
which t,isturbs the air about the victim
resulting IN horrible spasms, repeated at
the slightest sign of repetition OF the
tanning. Many of these pseudo-rabid pa
Itionts have saved the physicians in the
department. a more detailed examination
Of them BY standing tho tanning when
they could not endure the sight Of water,
simply because they did not know of
that symptom and the Bimaglnat ton was
not called into play. Constant brooding
and fear that such and such n physical
condition will come to pass, unnccom-
panied By a struggle to prevent It's COM
ing produce some sympathetic action Of
nerve cchters which brings about these
involuntary acts--the patient being, to oil
intents. self-hypnotlzcd.'
DR.. Keirlc gives number Of examples
Of persons around the institute who
imagined that they had hydrophobla, but
whom he relived OF their deluslon at once
by telling them that the symptoms Of
which they complained were a sure sign
that they were not affected.
These revelations may of themselves
have the effect to relieve many nervous
persons who imagine that they have
rabies, and they may have a good effect
In other directions Many persons con-
vince themselves that they are sufferers
from this and that disease, when In point
of fact they are suffering from mental
hnllucInation. Professors In medical col
lcgcs have much trouble OF this charac-
ter with their students. 1t not infrequent-
sly happens that student In studying
symptoms becomes convinced, when he
has some slight disorder, perhaps Of indi-
gcstion, that he is suffering from the dis
ease of which the book treats, and is
almost as sick for the time being as
through he were In fact affected. The
writer's of patent medicine advertisements
we'll understand this mental disease, and
ingcniously play upon the imagination
of their readers. Sometimes 1t actually
becomes necessary for n physician 10
practice little fraud upon some
shysterical patients. They would regard it
as Il mortal offense II he should tell them
they were not sick and so he must go
through the form Of making an examine
ton and OF giving them some innocent
prescription. These are known to phys-
clans as tho dread patients" and the
p,,p,l,or lie cons RI orn hla ~
We have a practical purpose In view In
calling attention to this subject II ner-
vous persons would only break them
selves of the habit of continually brood
ing over their disorders and assert their
Will power and take plenty Of exercise.
they would save themselves much need
less distress and the cost Of bills for doc
tors and medicine, The Imagination Is
largely responsible for many alleged dis
eases of the flesh. and If the victims
would only control their Imagination they
would find a prompt and decided I'M
provcmcnt In their health.
=---=------==
Mr.. Bonaparte on Railway Passes
Whether or not the President. in Sc
lectng his new Secretary OF the Navy.
had an eye on the Catholic vote makes
little difference, inasmuch as 1t is now
plain that In Charles j. Bonaparte he has
added to the country's service strong,
clear.headcd and honest man. who both
has Il mind of his own and does not
hesitate to use IT, Mr., Bonaparte en-
hibits distinct preference for doing
what he conceiYcs TO be right, no matter