Evening star., 1927-05-19

part emotion plays in disease" DR..
Woodyatt concluded.
DR.. J Ramsay Hunt of New York
told the section that the entire body
is under control of the nervous sys-
tenn, including not alone memory ana
thought. but such matters as diges-
tion respiration and circulation.
There are two generally understood
parts to the system, DR.. Hunt said
the vegetative, which is on low level
and controls some of the bodily ac-
tivities, and the cerebral, controlling
the brain. But between these there
is a vast, unexplored middle ground.
where the trouble usually is TO be
located. In this field is the history of
the past.
Two Control Functions.
Two functions, excitation and in-
hibition control the nervous system,
he said, and usually are complement
tary. The one impels to action. The
other puts down the lower impulses.
But when inhibition fails to play it's
full part and the disgusting. fear
some thoughts and instincts are re-
leased those repressions which play
so large a part in abnormal psychol-
ogy are found. Ideas with a strong
CiIlOLlOIldl 1OIC6 bCIiifiNl tilCii lSIlt w
break away from the human entity
and act independently and danger
ously.
It usually is essential. he said, to
prescribe complete physical and men
tai rest, but there must be suggestion,
persuasion and skillfully directed men,
tai surgery to get the foreign body
out of the mind. There must be a
reconstruction of the damaged ego
through confession of sin or other
mental therapeutic procedure. The
trouble, he said, may have been gath
ering since early childhood and can be
cleared up only by expert psyche Their
apeutic procedure, such as hypnotism.
by which the unconscious can be eX-
plored, or suggestion. The object oc
all is to to restore the inner harmony
of the human entity.
Il am firmly convinced" he con-
cluded. that there would be far less
disease today If the physicians knew
psychiatry. Mental suggestion is the
secret of all the cults which claim sue.
ceSsful cures. A charlatan firmly con-
vinced OF his methods may be more
successful than a competent physician
who is in doubt. In the last analysis
the foundation of all disease must be
borne by the mind
Heart Troubles Told.
DR.. Nellis r. Foster of New York told
of the specific role of emotional and
psychic factors in high blood pressure
and heart disease. Such a malady as
cardiac insufficiency. he said. is fire.
quently accompanied by dreams and
Authorizations, which are monotonous-
ly the same night after night. The ex.
planation still is obscure Some believe
the biological phenomena may be the
result of abnormal circulation. The
mental awareness remains high in the
daytime, but is low during the night
and gives the dreams a chance. There
are also delusions of persecution in
many cases Of this sort. which, If al
lowed to continue, may develop into
dementia.
Changes in personality are notable,
particularly in childhood. he said.
This is true of those less robust char.
acters who seek some excuse for not
facing the world. Children with heart
disease fall behind in school and show
lack of initiative. The 'only child
complex" develops, since teachers and
parents are loath to rebuke q child
whom they know has some physieaS
disability. The child has an excuse cj
which ne makes full use, 1pr no< sSz-
ceeding.
The same condition. he said. is
found in older persons who are dis
contented on every job. Persons with
heart disease and tuberculosis are
very difficult for social workers.
DR.. James s. McLester of Birming.
ham told of specific cases where emo
tional stresses had caused apparent
digestive disorders. Most of these
cases he believed to be hereditary.
The subnormal nervous system. he
said, was like a cheap auto tire, 1t
serves very well for a time. but suf-
fers blowout from some sudden jar
much more quickly than a we'll made
tire.
The digestive distresses. he said
are genuine as u rule, but would
hardly be felt by normal person. He
declared that the digestive system
was profoundly under the influence
Of the nervous system.