Health as Affected by the Mind.
The sympathy existing between the mind and the body is so great, that when one is affected, both are affected. If a person imagine even that he is sick, he is pretty sure to be sick. If, while in health, he be told, and made to believe, that his countenance indicates illness, in a short time his whole system will be affected. Medicines have sometimes been known to produce their specific effect by the mere dread of taking them. Let the imagination be inspired with confidence that a certain medicine, or course of treatment, is going to perform a cure, and the cure is likely to follow. It is on this principle, that simple bread pills have sometimes performed great cures; and on this principle, doubtless depends, to a very considerable extent, the success of any practitioner. This state of mind has much to do with the healthy action of the physical system. A cheerful and happy mind gives a free and easy circulation in the nervous system; it aids in the circulation of animal electricity or nervous fluid, which gives support to the vital energies of the whole body. Cheerfulness, by its effect on the nervous system, contributes much towards a healthy and free circulation of the blood. It has to do, indeed, with the formation of the blood, by virtue of its influence on the process of digestion. A cheerful mind, especially during the hour set apart, particularly for the first effort of the stomach after a meal, is very important to an easy, thorough digestive process. If the mind be attacked with grief, the food is not digested as well; and consequently the system is not so well nourished. How commonly does lowness of body follow continued grief! Why this? Because grief hinders the process of nutrition. It does it in two ways: it hinders the thorough digestion of the food, so that nourishment cannot as well be drawn from it, and it retards the action of the absorbent vessels, which take up the nutritive part of the food, and convey it into the blood. Whatever, then, may be an individual's condition or circumstances in life, it will be great economy for him to make himself cheerful and happy. However bitter may be the cause of his grief, let him cultivate a spirit of resignation; however painful may be his condition in life, let him endeavor to be content with such things as he has; however dark his prospects, let him hope for good. While nothing is gained by despondency, much is lost. While cheerfulness helps others to be healthy and happy, it is of great benefit to one's self. Some have thought that much cheerfulness was contrary to true dignity and Christianity. But this is taking a narrow minded view of things. It is no more a sin nor a breach of dignity to indulge in real cheerfulness, than it is to take wholesome food. There is a distinction to be made between cheerfulness and levity. While levity may be undignified and unchristian, genuine cheerfulness may be a part of dignity and Christianity both. This affection of mind has an opposite effect on the general health to that of cheerfulness. Melancholy deadens the circulation in the blood vessels and nerves; and also retards the action of the liver. It hinders the process of digestion and of nutrition, and tends to dry up the fluids of the whole system. A state of despondency and melancholy is a frequent accompaniment of deranged digestive organs. It sometimes is found to be both cause and effect. It often causes dyspepsia, and whether it cause it or not, it generally follows it; and then operates both as cause and effect. When melancholy or a despairing state of mind once exists, whether as connected with deranged digestive organs, or any other state of ill health, the cure becomes very much more difficult and doubtful; and nothing, comparatively, can be effected by way of medication, for the benefit of the patient, till something be done for the mental affection. Some method must be had at once to attract the attention of the patient away from himself and his complaints. Hence, in selecting a method of cure, some exercise or employment must be chosen, which will interest and engage the thoughts, and prevent their being absorbed in himself, and those associated with him must put on the most cheerful aspect.—Philosophy of Health.