254 PSYCHIATRY 



have as yet little to do with our pathology, and not much with 

 our therapeutics. We are watching, however, with interest, the 

 various newly-discovered light-rays and their influence on bodily 

 function, as well as the new conceptions of the elements, and their 

 possible bearing on the physiology of the mind. 



So far the medical and surgical effects have been superficial and 

 have produced results only on gross and objective evidences of 

 disease, such as tumors, ulcerations, etc. Some claims have been 

 made that the Rontgen ray will relieve pain in neuralgia and tabes, 

 will lessen or check convulsive attacks in epilepsy, and have a real 

 physical effect upon the lymphatic and glandular tissues, as in 

 thyroidism. It is not impossible that some forms of radiant energy 

 passed through the nervous centres may modify the metabolism 

 and produce therapeutic results, but this is speculative, and it is 

 not likely that, at the best, much can be accomplished. 



It seems to be well established that very rapidly alternating 

 electric currents of enormous voltage, when passed through the 

 body, increase metabolic changes, but here again nothing very 

 definite has yet been achieved therapeutically. 



The problem of helping the alienated by physical means is a 

 serious one - - it means that we must change a psychopathic con- 

 stitution so that a person who has a melancholia or is threatened 

 with it will be rid of the disorder and of the tendency to its re- 

 currence. Some readjustment of glandular activity of the liver 

 or stomach, or some increased activity of absorption and secretion 

 and elimination, must be secured, or by some subtle influence we 

 must teach the brain-cells to build up and break down in a normal 

 and well-balanced manner, or by specially directed training struc- 

 tural defects in the arrangement or insulation of the neuron must 

 be overcome. 



Here is a field in which the finer physical forces may play a part, 

 and we already know that the influence of direct sunlight is help- 

 ful in delaying degeneration. Other physical agencies may be found 

 which will furnish more. 



I can only suggest the possibility that in psychic activity there 

 may be radioactive changes, a breaking-up not only of molecules 

 which we know occurs, but of the atoms themselves. This hypo- 

 thesis is in the line of the alleged n-ray phenomena of Blondlot. 



Psychiatry and Psychotherapy 



It is a popular question whether the mind does not produce 

 more diseases than do organic changes of the body. In fact, the 

 Supporters of the belief that the mind is more important than the 

 microbe make a large cult in this country. 



