CHAPTER I.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

Thus far in our study of Mental Therapeutics I have attempted to establish its value as a means of cure by adducing rational evidence in its behalf. It now becomes my duty to point out the manner of its use best suited to legitimate practice.

Thought Runs in
Customary Grooves.

Generally speaking, the interpretation put upon an impression is the customary one: it is the interpretation usually made by the subjective mind when experiencing an identical impression or one which simulates it. If the finger be pricked by accident, the pain is interpreted to mean that our hand is in the path of harm, and, without conscious thought, we jerk it away. Should we deliberately prick the finger, there would be experienced a strong impulse to withdraw it, and, if self-control be poor, we should scarcely be able to hold it still. The

mind has become so accustomed to certain interpretations that it is at first reluctant to accept new interpretations of the sensation experienced. Now repeat the voluntary infliction of pain from hour to hour or from day to day and ultimately the subjective will acquire so great facility for traversing the new channels that self-control will become an easy thing. Any one can train him

self to bear voluntarily inflicted pain without flinching. What is more, the painful interpretations of stimuli may be brought under such complete control that the sensation of pain itself can

be inhibited at will. Like Lord Nelson in the battle of Copenhagen, we can learn to turn our blind eye to it and say: "I do not see it.

The mind in most people has been left to put upon impressions such interpretations as it may choose, or such as early training or race tendencies may suggest. Awaken a sensation (all thought is based upon sensation) in such a one and the thought will at once start on its customary course. The course may be represented by shallow channels, or the mind may have been deeply plowed by some startling experience or by long use. In any event the channels are there and thought will follow them rather than new ones. A cry of "fire" will thus set one who has at some time, from such a cause, experienced a profound sweep of fear through the mind, into the greatest agitation. The subjective faculties of the horse are so grooved by a runaway that no amount of training can ever wholly obliterate the lines and enable thought to cut more rational channels.

In the case of a person whose mind has become reticulated by unwholesome lines of thought and his conduct by consequent physical action, there is abundant work for the patient teacher in giving direction and inspiration; and there is far more work for the awakened ego in insisting upon order and reason in his conscious and unconscious mentation. But the reward is sure, for success is bound to follow patient and persevering endeavor.

AFFIRMATION.

Affirmation the Method

Conferring Best Results.

143

Let us turn for a moment

to a consideration of the modus operandi of suggestive curative effects.

B

A

8 4

63

b2

FIGURE 10. A Diagrammatic Representation of the Curative Effects of Suggestion.

Let O represent the cerebral center. A is a dead level of the accustomed stimulus, whether it be fear, un wholesome environment, or spontaneous suggestion. B is the affirmation by means of which, through reiteration, we hope to effect a change in the thought; and C the unsteady support given the suggestion by conduct. a is the customary channel pursued by thought under the power of stimulus. b1, b2 and b3 represent the gradually deflecting lines of thought, approaching nearer and nearer to steadiness, resulting from the repeated affirmation. Lastly, B4 is the completed and steady result. The essential features are recognized as (1) an affirmation or a suggestion properly made and (2) the corresponding conduct.

It is essential that the significance of these be made clear.

A suggestion, whether given to one's self or to another, is commonly in the form of an affirmation. For example, when treating myself I may administer the suggestion in the following words: "I am well." This I repeat time and again with a view to impress. Now, if I go about with my usual tale of woe, and with pain and anxiety depicted in my countenance, it will be evident that I am not giving voluntary support to the suggestion.

If, on the contrary, I not only affirm that I am