The New York herald., 1921-03-09
Therapeutics of Prayer.

There might ne nOtnlng more un-
usual In a doctor advocating prayer
than in any man of any calling.
There is something unusual, however,
in putting prayer on a scientific basis
rs therapeutic agent. The propo-
sition is that prayer has, or at any
rate may have, physiological effect
upon the body as well as an influence
upon the mind and soul. 1t is there
fore a means at the disposal of the
hygienist for preserving and restor-
ing health.
In "Why Die So Young?" a book
JOHN B. HUBER Of this city takes the
ground that "the unquestionable
trend Of modern thought is monis-
tic" He lndorses the concept Of
"cosmic oneness in which all ple-
nomena, however diverse they may
appear, are most intimately in-erre-
lated, quite as it is now unquestion-
ably agreed that all forms of energy
are Interchangeable"
Perhaps this may be straining the
analogy n little from the point Of
view OF strict science, but there can
be no doubt of the reflex action of
body and mind upon each other. De-
preston of the physical condition
certainly causes dependency and
healthy bodily conditions tend to high
spirits. Conversely, anxiety, grief
worry, evil expectation slow down
such functions as breathing and heart
action-probably digestion and other
processes too-while confidence, ease
Of mind, hope are pretty sure to be
accompanied by desirable and healthy
physical reactions.
Doctors have long taken account Of
this reciprocal action Of mind and
matter in humanity. The we'll known
The skilful practitioner aims by
cheerful suavity to create viii to
live and Il viii to recover in his pa
tient. Nor can 1t be denied that the
vogue Of Christian Science, Faith
Cure and similar forms Of mental
healing have attracted attention in
the profession and given a certain
color TO practice especially along
lines where nervous conditions are
involved. Much has been written in
recent years about clinical psychol-
ogy, and the hopeful, carefree me'ital
attitude has clear recognition as a
condition favorable to recovery from
illness.
In doubtful cases. doctors some
times say. the patient has his best
chance Of getting well just after he
has completed preparations to die.
The soothing mlnistrations Of relig-
ion. the sense of peace and hope re-
gardless of the outcome of the dis
ease, are apt to create feeling Of
content and wellbeing extremely ia
vorable to physiological rebound.
The case of ENRIco CARUso, the
tenor. Of the details Of whose sick
ness so much has been published.
illustrates the point. 1t will be re-
membered that after receiving the
last rites of his church he expressed
great spiritual comfort. He said he
was at peace with GoD and daily
accounts of his continuous prayer
we're given out from his bedside. But
in fact the news of the favorable turn
in his malady came almost stimuli
taneously with his preparation for
the end, and since then he has pro-
gressed without relapse.
Without venturing into the contro-
yersial field of direct response to
prayer. IL Is neither unscientitic nor
irreligious to accept at least as 4
basis for consideration the proposl-
ton Of the present writer, that
PRAYER Is helpful not so much as to
the granting Of specific personal re
quests: not so much in that the In
herently benignant laws Of nature
could be disturbed In their working
in behalf of any individual suppl.
ant; brit that prayer is helpful In
bringing him who prays into comfort
able, salutary and restful relation
with the First Cause" On this the
DRY. training in the habit Of prayer
in childhood and its pursuit through
life are urged as duty, both as re
CARDS body and soul. upon the pulpit
and the clinic alike.
A boy was arrested IN New York for