"The signs following" are always according to the measure of faith which characterizes the conditions. There is no cure without it in the metaphysical field, and I seriously question that there is cure without it in any field. Indeed, it is the one grand condition of achievement in any phase of human endeavor.

But again some one asks:

"If faith is a pre-requisite, how can a psychic foothold be obtained in the instances of infants and the unconscious?"

Have I not just quoted from Prof. Barrett a sufficient answer to this question? "Whenever self-consciousness is subdued," he says,

"then an opportunity is afforded for the emergence of the 'other me. And we should bear in mind that it is the "other me" who does the curative work.

The healer (who should always be an educated physician by preference, but who has thus far been a layman, owing to the inane denunciation of psychic methods by the profession) -the healer, I say, in such a case has almost unimpeded access to the fountains of subjective thought. No matter what the state of objective consciousness, the subjective is supposed always to be amenable to impression.

It is evident that silence is a contributing factor to potent impression. It is only under the spell of perfect quiet that attention, both objective and subjective-both supraliminal and subliminal -can best be commanded. To secure silence and attention in the patient should, then, constitute an early feature of every attempt to practice suggestive therapy.

FAITH.

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Faith Is More Effective That
Has a Rational Basis.

Another condition of conspicuous success in psychic healing is the affording of a rational basis for belief in the measures proposed. One should seek to rest his faith on a stable foundation. While the inexact investigator may be misled by the startling postulates of enthusiasts concerning the powers of thought, the more thorough student will find enough clearcut and rational statements of principles arranged by those as capable of sifting evidence and putting it into logical and exact form as are observers in other departments of scientific research.

It is manifestly unfair as well as unwise to suppose that both the psychic healer and his patients are laboring under the power of a delusion which a logically-constructed syllogism would quickly dissipate.

Energy of the Suggestion.

The depth and power of the impression is determined, in large measure, by the energy with which the suggestion is put forth.

Though it is contrary to the rules of rhetoric to indulge freely in the use of italics and capitals with a view to emphasis, he who would produce the best effect on the average reader should freely use them. A monotone is not impressive. To excite and hold the attention of another it is advisable occasionally to raise the voice and pound with the fist. Write important thoughts in LARGE LETTERS if you would make deaf minds hear. Prick and slap the listener if you would secure his best attention to what you have in mind.

One of the essentials, then, of effective suggestion, and one that the healer should make conspicuous among the rules governing his methods, is that the suggestion be launched with energy. By the term "energy" I do not necessarily mean loudness of tone, though in some instances, and in treating certain people, this is required. But the suggestion should be uttered in tones replete with nervous tension.

It is not the blatant orator who makes the best impressions on all people. We often turn with disgust from one who declaims in loud tones, under the feeling that he endeavors to make up in volume of voice what he lacks in quality of thought. Among some, it is true, but chiefly among the ignorant and coarse, such a speaker may take well.

What I mean is that the suggestion, whatever its nature, ought to be uttered in a voice full of earnestness and deep feeling. A mere whisper of this character may be more effective than louder tones.

The thought that is being driven home must be clothed in a garb of suitable words and carry with it a conscious purpose to impress. It must come from the mind hot and vibratory if we expect it to have the designed effect.

Duration of the Suggestion.

In the same connection it should be remembered that the potency of the suggestion is determined in large measure not alone by the energy of the stimulus, but also by the duration of it. Accordingly, a weak drug action or a weak volitionary movement is rela

HISTIONIC SUGGESTION.

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tively inefficient but may still accomplish good if long continued.

Another important factor in the production of curative phenomena is found in the selective— the differential-action of the stimulus, of which the carefully-selected remedy is the best example.

Histionic Suggestion.

The term "Histionic Suggestion" has been given by Hudson to that form of suggestion which is made in connection with physical contact. Concerning it he says:

"Histionic suggestion combines all that is valuable in all other forms of suggestion, and, moreover, it renders hypnotism unnecessary in any case."

The essence of histionic suggestion lies in spinal massage in connection with suitable assurance of relief. "The essential thing to be observed in all cases," he says, "is that the mind must be concentrated upon the work in hand; otherwise the work is purely mechanical, depending for its efficiency upon mechanical stimulation of the nerves, the same as in ordinary massage. It is, however, more efficient than ordinary massage, because the effect is more direct upon the nerves involved."

I

Those of much experience with massage have observed a wide difference between operators in the matter of salutary effect on the patient. am satisfied that the difference finds its chief cause in the degree of mental concentration and faith of the operator.

"The man who is perpetually hesitating which of two things he will do first will do neither. The man who resolves, but suffers his resolution to be changed by the first countersuggestion of a friend --who fluctuates from opinion to opinion, from plan to plan, and veers like a weather-cock to every point of the compass, with every breath of caprice that blows can never accomplish anything real or useful. It is only the man who carries into his pursuits that great quality which Lucan ascribes to Cæsar, nescia virtus stare loco-who first consults wisely, then resolves firmly, and then executes his purpose with inflexible perseverance, undismayed by those petty difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit-that can advance to eminence in any line." -William Wirt.