The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-04-14


age but it is safe to say they
have fallen off. The world is not
dosing so much as it used to-
The chronic cases are going in
for psychic cures instead of chas-
ing the old fashion cure-alls and
it is an improvement at least for
the stomach's sake. In line with
this idea is an editorial in a re
cent issue of the Miami Herald
based on the remarks of an Ohio
physician:
An Ohio physician sets forth the
dictum that the primary causes of
disease are psychic. This is in line
with a tendency in philosophic
thought of recent years, which had
its basis in the words of Descartes,
II think, therefore I am" The un-
doubted influence of mind over mat
ter, in the human makeup, has re-
ceived a great deal of attention, and
has been the idea back of many heal
ing cults.
The Ohio doctor says that natural
chemical reactions cannot. be pre-
vented in, the body by will power, or
by psychic influence, but he con-
tends that these reactions may be re-
tarded or accelerated by the power
of mind. Disease" he declares, "is
primarily of phychic origin and the
soul, not the body, is master of life"
Statements of this kind are likely
to be made Dramatically, without an
adequate foundation of truth. There
is no question, however, that there
is more than a grain of truth in the
assertions that mental conditions
affect bodily health. and material
success. The mind has a power and
a reach that is not 20 fully under
stood.
This fact is being used extensively
by physicians and by advertisers, by
preachers. land teachers The hos
oital of today is built with the idea
# bringing cheer instead of gloom
to the patient. The physician no
longer pulls a long face and talks of
making ready for the other world.
The minister does not engage in
ong. lugubrious prayers at the sick
bed. The many success systems which
are a4--ortisad, intended to put "pep"
nto people rest on the thought that
he idea of success, if it can be i'm
planted in the mind, will actually
BRING success in the life.
The thing can be carried too far
md sometimes is. No one. has vet
,een~found who can set a broken
zone by mental suggestion. The
gerrr of disease sometimes show a
trange reluctance to respond to |
,sychic influences. A leakv heart |
.annot be patched up by thought |
power.
With certain limitations, however,
t may be said with absolute certain
Y that there is a tremendous power |
n the human will. 1t is hard for
he best physician to battle against |
depressed spirits. The patient is as
much responsible for recovery as is
he attendant medical man.
Extending this thought little it
nay be said with assurance that
panics and periods of bust
less depression are often largely
sociological Gloomy talk of con-
itions helps to make conditions bad.
Where depression really exists it
annot be removed by talk alone but
God cheer in the press, from the
latform, and in ordinary converse
ion of the people will do much to
estore the confidence that is the
asis of all financial stability.
One thing that makes Miami a live.
p-and-coming city is the persistent
one of optimism that pervades the
cry atmosphere here. Optimism can
e overdone, but it is not likely to
e. The people who have lived here
nd those who come here for even a
tort visit will help to make this a
reat city by talking cheerfully of
lie future, and the future of Miami.
ased on the experience of the past,
nds itself easily to cheerful talk.
loom has hard row to hoe here.