It is highly interesting to note the change of base which has been made in many of the medical publications of the present time; the trend of thought now being largely in a metaphysical direction. Over forty years ago, when Mrs. Eddy began to call attention to the influence of the so-called human mind upon the body, and to show that the origin of all disease could be traced to mental rather than to material conditions, her statements were received with incredulity, to say the least. Her insistent declaration that causation is not to be found in what is called matter has, however, led many to investigate the subject of the relation of mind and body from a metaphysical view-point, with the result that it is now very generally conceded that disease can in most cases be traced to discordant thought as its source. The following statement from a highly educated and progressive physician is in point. He says,—
"On every hand we note instances where the action of the mind both produces and perpetuates disease. Indeed, I can truthfully say, after an observation of many years in the practice of medicine, that a majority of the cases of illness which come under the daily observation of the physician are largely due to the condition of the mind."
He reasons thus: "If a thought can in an instant of time dilate or contract the blood-vessels, causing a rush of blood to or from any part; if it can increase or diminish the secretion of a gland; if it can hasten or retard the action of the heart; if it can turn the hair gray in a single night; if it can force tears from the eyes; ... if, as has often occurred, it can bring instantaneous death—then is it not natural for us to conclude, without further argument, that it may bring about a more or less continuous derangement of the physical organism, which we call disease?"
