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New Methods in Detail

(CONTINUED)

"Great men are they who see that spiritual force is stronger than material force; that thought rules the world."

--Emerson.

"Two medical students were engaged in dissection: one playfully passed the handle of his scalpel across the finger of his friend, who started, shrieked and then confessed that he felt the pain of the blade cutting through to the bone."-Gratiolet.

"The conclusion is not to be resisted that all the functions of the central nervous system, and all manifestations of life and mental activity, fall under the conception of reflex action. No ganglionic cell is functional without a sufficient reason, which is called the stimulus, in the language of physiology; no volition without motive, in the language of psychology."-Ed. v. Hartmann.

"How strange that such a therapeutic agent should have been so ignored, that by none of our leading surgeons and physicians do we see the influence of the human mind over the human body really seriously dealt with. One may find here and there an honorable exception, it is true, distinguished alike by his rarity and by the obloquy he incurs."-Schofield.

CHAPTER XI.

NEW METHODS IN DETAIL-Continued.

THE CONDITIONS OF EFFECTIVE SUGGESTION.

Faith.

Dr. Edwin W. Pyle very aptly observes: "Faith from childhood to age is more or less a panacea for human ills; and, however reposed, should never be rudely shaken. Whether it be in prayer or in the plainest doctor it is the same precious commodity, without which we can do nothing and with which we, too, can work wonders."

When Jesus was in a certain region preaching his gospel of hope and good will he found himself unable to do many wonders because of the unbelief of the people who presented themselves. We do not know that he tried and failed, in any instance, as, indeed, he probably did not, for there is a subtle and convincing sense of rapport between individuals when there is vibratory harmony, and an equally convincing sense of its absence when it does not exist.

Every physician has experienced the paralyzing effect of skepticism in certain of his patients, or their friends, and has longed to be rid of the case that he may have had in hand. Under such conditions even drug remedies fail to exhibit their customary effects.

An indispensable condition of cure under any form of treatment is the existence of a spirit—a breath-an atmosphere of faith. The patient

himself, in a rational state, and the physician, must be in the confident-the expectant-frame of mind. There must be a settling back of the mind upon a sense of approaching aid; there must be a hushed, but quickened, mentality.

"Whenever self-consciousness is subdued," very justly observes Prof. Barrett, "when the known and claimant 'me' retires to the background, then an opportunity is afforded for the emergence of the other me' of that large and unrecognized part of our personality which lies below the threshold of our consciousness."

"Then," some one asks, "do you regard a state of doubt, or of positive disbelief, an effectual bar to curative action?"

I certainly do consider it a bar to immediate effects. But, as I have elsewhere taken occasion to point out, iteration and reiteration of affirmations of the right character are capable ultimately of so changing the most obdurate mind. (probably by first convincing the subjective) that the conditions essential to cure may become established. The most scornful opponent of a measure may thus be made over into a believer and supporter.

And, again, despite the bluster and avowed unbelief of some patients, there is a subconscious acceptance of the proposed tenets, and cure may become established in the very face of outward opposition.

But the truth remains that, as a condition of cure the most essential-there must exist a substratum of faith.

The importance of this element of cure cannot be overstated. Floyd B. Wilson sets it forth none too emphatically when he says:

"The path to the end is through the gateway of faith. If the faith be absolute, the result will come-note

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carefully, please—if the faith be absolute the result will come, whether it be a blind or an intelligent faith."

Again some one asks:

"Faith in what? In the truth of the particular theories proposed?"

No.

"In the physician himself?"

Not necessarily.

"In Divine interposition through the machinery involved?"

No.

"Well, then, faith in what?"

JUST FAITH THAT THE THING IS ABOUT TO BE DONE. One may be unable to accept the tenets presented; one may be unable, either from ignorance or lack of settled conviction, to feel a sense of faith in any particular theory of cure, yet conviction may seize upon the subject and he be able to say in all truth: "I believe."

Of course it is far better for one's faith to have a distinct basis. All ought to be able to give “a reason for the hope" that is in them.

Moreover, the more exalted the object of faith, the more energetic the action. If one accepts the proffered cure as coming direct from the hands of an all-wise and all-powerful God the effect is apt to be deeper and the action more pronounced. And yet it is possible for a patient of intelligence to accept the theory of individual godhood-the theory that we ourselves are the expressions of the Divine mind-so fully and exactly that an equally pronounced result shall be obtained.

The curative formula must embrace a faith in power, somewhere resident and ready to be put forth in behalf of the physical needs.

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