New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-18
THE MIND AND HEALTH.
Incidents Which Show That As a Man
Thinketh in His Heart So Is He.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The attitude of the mind affects very strong
ly mans whole being-(a) his moral nature not
only in its general mentation. but also it's ethi
cal side and CD his physical nature In its several
functions. 1t is TO be noted just here that the
subconscous mind controls all the vegetative func-
lions Of the body. Now, here we can detect and
follow the tremendous power of mentality in action
in the bodily organism
No one can think bad thoughts I. e., give way to
thoughts OF anger, envy, jealousy, fear, worry
depression and maintain the healthy activity Of his
vital organs. Consequently, when a perfectly
healthy mentality controls mans being there ex-
lists healthy body
Let me give few illustrations to bring out more
clearly the effect of mental states upon the
mind and body: Some years ago there was sta
toned at military post in Kansas an officer of
the United States army who had not reached mid
die life but whose hair white as snow. 1t hap
pened in this way lie went into camp one even
ing with head black brown that Of any
young man. In the night the terrible fear
producing war whoop of the dreaded Indians. and
at that ominous cry his hair became white that
OF an old man. Ordinarily, gray hair is the result
OF physical causes and processes working slowly
through many years. This particular head of hair
was changed In color by one instant OF awful rear
Now fear is a mental process. but the change OF
color IN the hair Is physical process In this case
the mind or mental condition for the moment
seems to have acted as a hair dye.
We cannot describe the results the body of
the more powerful emotions without including in
the narrative soma physical manifestations. For
food, while joyful intelligence has the opposite
effect. In both these cases the results physi-
cal effects. Again. Her face flushed TO the roots
was affected "a physical result by some words said
sung. or, perchance whispered in her ear Again.
Seeing the apparition. his eyes stared, his jaw
fell. his knees knocked together cold sweat stood
on his forehead He essayed TO speak. but no
words escaped his dry and trembling lips" Here
we have very complex effect, involving the res
plTatiOn, the nervous system, the circulation, the
vocal organs, the whole frame and structure OF
the body, by the supposed sight Of an appartuon.
The ghost appeared to the minds eye, but the ef-
feet" were produced on the physical organism.
Now set over against these well known effects OF
fear the equally apparent operations OF faith.
resulting in hope, confidence and expectancy. Men
have been known to rise up from what seemed
dying bed and have ridden forth 70 battle, called
by an imperious voice heard only by themselves
In deadly conflict men have fought on desperately
wounded. dropped TIL victory won; not
mastering the pain, but simply unconscious of 1t.
That is what the mind does under the domination
OF strong emotion, with its broken and temporary
habitatiOn--the body.
Who say therefore. what mind, under strong
emotion, or cannot do? In conclusion learn
very important lesson from these COnsidera-
tons, namely, that to insure a bodily and mental
condition OF perfect health II IS absolutely neces-
sary that the mental state should be wholesome
The mind, to It's general characteristics. should
be calm hopeful, confident, and the spirit should
be not only true, but straightforward and kindly
Under these conditions there will be freedom from
that constant disturbance OF function incident to
bad mental states. !. G. QUINN, NJ. d.
New York, Feb. Is, 1901.